5 Actors Who Turned Down Roles on ‘Yellowstone’ (Or One of Its Spinoffs)

Taylor Sheridan has created some of the most popular series over the past 10 years. Having built a career as an actor before turning into an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, Sheridan has seen his most success creating television shows. His most popular work, Yellowstone, has sparked a universe worth of television series.

Creating 1883 and 1923, two shows that expand on Yellowstone and the Dutton family, Sheridan has created some unforgettable characters. But the interesting thing is that not every actor whom Sheridan has targeted for his show has actually ended up on them. Some eventually ended up in the franchise, but a few either couldn’t make it work or didn’t want to be part of the Dutton universe.

Here are 6 actors who turned down roles on Yellowstone ​​​​​​or one of its spinoffs.

5. Sam Elliott

Sam Elliott has not been a fan of Yellowstone. He’s made it very clear in interviews, stating that it’s “too much like Dallas” for him. Taylor Sheridan offered him a role in Yellowstone, but Elliott turned it down. But, during that discussion about the role, the pair got to talking, and the idea for him to join one of the spin-offs was hatched.

Elliott is still salty about Yellowstone being the originator of 1883. He thinks this has left a bit of a stink on the show, saying to Taste of Country, “We’re tainted by Yellowstone, which on some level I can’t stand.” Elliott plays Shea Brennan, the man leading the wagon train that the Duttons are on from Texas to Oregon.

4. Ethan Lee

Ethan Lee is an experienced cowboy and trick rider with years of experience. When Yellowstone first started to come together, production reached out to him to help set up the actors through a cowboy boot camp of sorts. He was to teach what he knew to the actors to try and make the production more authentic. But Lee passed on the opportunity, citing having young kids at the time.

However, the Yellowstone team came back to him again and offered him a role on the show. In Season 2, he began as Ethan, a ranch hand at the Yellowstone Ranch. He also served as an advisor and contributor to the series while helping train those involved in the production.

3. Cole Hauser

After a successful career as a young actor, Cole Hauser‘s career was middling before Yellowstone came calling. His portrayal of Rip Wheeler is one of the highlights of the series, a character who is about as loyal as someone can be to a location and a family. It causes tension sometimes in his marriage even. But Hauser wasn’t always set to be Rip.

His management team wanted him to play one of John Dutton’s sons, Kayce or Jamie. They pushed him to accept the role and get on the show. But when Hauser read the script, he was drawn to Rip, and he steadfastly pursued that character, even against his management’s wishes. In the end, Hauser’s stubbornness turned out to be a great decision, and fans of Yellowstone were rewarded with one of its best characters. It’s hard to imagine someone other than Hauser playing Rip.

2. Corey Gamble

It was revealed in the premiere episode of season 4 of The Kardashians on Hulu back in 2023 that Corey Gamble, the boyfriend of Kris Jenner, was asked to appear on Yellowstone. Gamble has been dating Jenner for nearly 10 years, and he was a huge fan of Yellowstone during its run. It was discussed in The Kardashians that he got Kim Kardashian into the show.

Jenner had the final say on whether Gamble could take a role on the program or not, and she nixed it. She didn’t want him to have a romantic relationship on the series. Khloe Kardashian ribbed her, saying that if she were asked to be on the show and were to kiss Kevin Costner, she’d likely be okay with it, to which Jenner said yes.

1. Cody Johnson

Cody Johnson is a country music star who has found massive success in recent years. He won the Song of the Year award at the Academy of Country Music Awards this year and was awarded Album of the Year in 2024 by the Country Music Association Awards. He has three CMT Music Award wins and several other wins and nominations for his work. He’s released nine studio albums and grew up as a professional bull rider.

Taylor Sheridan approached him to star in 1883 alongside other country music stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. He had also approached him to appear on Yellowstone, but both times, Johnson had to turn him down because of scheduling issues. He wasn’t able to move around tour dates at short notice and had to pass on both shows.