Kevin Costner is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, known for iconic roles in Dances with Wolves, The Bodyguard, Field of Dreams, and Yellowstone. However, even the biggest Costner fans might not remember some of his lesser-known performances. In this article, we’ll explore some of the movies in which Costner appeared but are often forgotten by the general audience. Whether they were minor roles, overshadowed by bigger stars, or cult classics that didn’t get mainstream attention, these films showcase a different side of Costner’s acting career.
Before becoming a Hollywood superstar, Kevin Costner had a blink-and-you-miss-it role in Ron Howard’s Night Shift, starring Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton. He played a frat boy in a party scene, making this one of his earliest on-screen appearances. Since he was uncredited, many fans don’t even realize he was in the movie.
Costner had a minor role in Frances, the biographical drama about actress Frances Farmer. While Jessica Lange delivered a stellar performance in the lead role, Costner appeared briefly as a supporting character. Given that the film focused on Lange’s powerful performance, his involvement remains largely unnoticed.
A haunting post-apocalyptic drama, Testament tells the story of a small town dealing with the aftermath of a nuclear attack. Costner played a young father, but his role was relatively small. Given the film’s somber tone and indie status, many fans don’t remember his appearance here.
One of the most famous “forgotten” Kevin Costner roles is in The Big Chill. While he was originally cast as Alex, the deceased friend whose suicide sets the movie’s plot in motion, all of his scenes were cut. Though his body appears in the film’s opening, Costner’s face never makes it to the final version, making this one of the most well-known “invisible” roles in film history.
One of Costner’s lesser-known movies is the low-budget thriller Shadows Run Black. This early role as Jimmy Scott was far from his later Hollywood success, but it remains a cult favorite among die-hard Costner fans. The film itself has a gritty B-movie feel, making it an interesting footnote in his career.
This forgotten gem is technically Costner’s first-ever film, but because it was released years later, many don’t associate him with it. The low-budget romantic drama wasn’t exactly a career highlight, but it gives a glimpse of a young Costner before he became a household name.
Though American Flyers is a well-made sports drama, it doesn’t get the same recognition as Costner’s other sports films like Bull Durham or Field of Dreams. Costner played a cyclist in the film, but it remains one of his more underrated performances.
Directed by Kevin Reynolds, Fandango was one of Costner’s first starring roles but remains overshadowed by his later successes. The coming-of-age road movie has since gained a cult following, but casual fans often forget about it.
This action-thriller saw Costner playing a smuggler in the 1920s. However, due to limited distribution, many fans never saw the film. Given the lack of widespread availability, The Gunrunner remains one of Costner’s more obscure roles.
While Costner was one of the lead actors in this heist film, it underperformed at the box office and wasn’t a critical success. Starring alongside Kurt Russell, Costner played a ruthless criminal in a film that quickly faded from public memory.
One of Costner’s few horror films, The New Daughter, saw him taking on the role of a single father dealing with supernatural occurrences. While the film had an interesting premise, it didn’t receive much attention and was quickly forgotten.
Despite being a heartfelt drama about race relations and family struggles, Black or White didn’t gain widespread recognition. Costner gave a powerful performance, but the movie didn’t become a mainstream hit.
While Criminal had a star-studded cast including Gary Oldman and Ryan Reynolds, it wasn’t a major box office success. Costner played a death-row inmate implanted with the memories of a deceased CIA agent, but the film didn’t make a lasting impression on audiences.
A neo-Western thriller starring Costner and Diane Lane, Let Him Go received positive reviews but wasn’t a blockbuster hit. Many people, even Costner fans, are unaware of this gripping drama.
Several factors contribute to why people forget some of Costner’s film appearances:
Minor or Uncredited Roles: Many of his early films only featured him in small parts or deleted scenes.
Overshadowed by Bigger Films: With a filmography filled with iconic hits, some of his lesser-known films get lost in the mix.
Limited Release or Niche Appeal: Some films had limited theatrical releases or appealed only to niche audiences.
Genre Differences: Costner is primarily known for dramas and Westerns, so his work in horror, thrillers, or low-budget films is often overlooked.
Kevin Costner’s career is filled with blockbuster hits and award-winning performances, but even a legend like him has roles that fly under the radar. Whether it’s an early film, a deleted role, or a forgotten thriller, these movies show the depth and range of his acting skills. If you’re a Costner fan looking to explore his full filmography, these hidden gems are worth checking out!
