There's no denying actor Cole Hauser's portrayal of Rip Wheeler has become an integral part of Yellowstone. Though this work on the hit Paramount Network show has made him a household name, he's been acting long before in movies like Dazed and Confused and Good Will Hunting. As his career continues to build with his TV success and his Free Rein coffee company, he can count on his wife of 16 years, actress Cynthia Daniel, for support.
While not much is known about the beginnings of their relationship, they do have a shared passion for acting. In the mid-1990s, Cynthia and her twin sister Brittany had their own fame, playing twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield in the series Sweet Valley High. While she had guest appearances in the 1995 film The Basketball Diaries and the sitcom That '80s Show, she eventually retired from the industry in 2002 to become a professional photographer.
It was during this time that the couple met and fell in love. Despite the two choosing to keep the important elements of their marriage under wraps, Cynthia does like to share throwback moments to the early days of their romance.
In an Instagram post from August 2020, she gave followers a look into what life was like pre-marriage and kids. "[Throwback] with my love @colehauser22 when we’re 33 yrs old ❤️," she captioned the photo.
Shortly after, Cole and Cynthia became parents. In 2004, they welcomed son Ryland, the first of their three children. The couple eventually cemented their love by getting married on December 22, 2006. They later expanded their family with the addition of a son named Colt in 2008 and a daughter named Steely Rose in 2012.
What's more, the Yellowstone cast member doesn't pass up a chance to post proud moments of his kids on social media. Whether it's celebrating Ryland going off to college to play football or emotional tributes to Steely Rose, the actor keeps his family close to his heart wherever he is.
Although Cole and Cynthia don't share many details of their marriage, that doesn't mean they don't show off their love. They aren't afraid to show PDA at Hollywood events, like when they walked the red carpet at the 2022 CMA Awards. The duo also enjoy having date nights out and giving each other special shoutouts when given the opportunity, like on holidays.
"Happy Mother’s Day to the best mother I know," Cole wrote on Instagram in May 2020. "Thank you for the strength and love that you show our children everyday. Love you babydoll."
If that wasn't enough, Cole and Cynthia also make each other a priority as they ride the tougher waves together. Cole mourned the loss of his mother Cass Warner in March 2024, with Cynthia by his side when they memorialized her late mother-in-law two months later.
"Mama Cass you’re an incredible woman," she wrote on Instagram. "Thank you for loving me and always supporting me. I know you’ll continue to touch lives from above. Bye for now! @colehauser22."
Though Cole doesn't often talk about his personal life, he gave insight into how marriage and fatherhood has changed him indefinitely. As he told The Havok Journal, he prioritizes being present for his loved ones.
"I am always making time for each and every one of my children and also my wife, also, as a family together," he told the site. "I am good about making time for the whole family. You have to figure that balance out. But as a father and a husband you have to make the time and work just as hard at it."
Well, as far as we can tell, he's acing these roles.
As the entertainment and news editorial assistant for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
