What happened to Kevin Costner's left ear? The truth about the missing part
Kevin Costner is a talented American actor and filmmaker with many accolades. The actor's left ear has raised many questions among fans. What happened to Kevin Costner's left ear? The actor lost part of his left ear in a car accident during his teenage years. Despite multiple surgeries, the injury left a noticeable deformity. Keep reading to learn more.

Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Kevin Costner lost part of his left ear in a teenage car accident.
- Multiple surgeries helped, but the injury left a lasting deformity.
- The ear injury has not impacted his long, successful acting career.
Profile summary
Name | Kevin Michael Costner |
Nickname | The Tsar Next Door |
Date of birth | January 18, 1955 |
Age | 70 years of age (2025) |
Birthplace | Lynwood, California, U.S.A. |
Current nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Caucasian | Capricorn |
Romantic orientation | Heterosexual |
Religious beliefs | Baptist |
Parents | Sharon and William ‘Bill’ Costner |
Siblings | Daniel Craig Costner and Mark Douglas Costner (deceased) |
Profession | Actor, producer, director, screenwriter, songwriter, businessperson |
Education | California State University |
Native language | English |
Current residence | Colorado, U.S.A. |
Marital status | Dating |
Weight | 83 kg (most widely reported) |
Height | 185 cm |
Hair colour | Blonde |
Eye colour | Blue |
Net worth | $250-$320 million |
Social media | InstagramX(Twitter) |
What happened to Kevin Costner's left ear?
Kevin Costner's injury happened when he was a teenager. He was in a car accident that caused serious harm, including losing part of his left ear. This event changed his life, but he still chose to become an actor.
After the accident, he had several surgeries to fix the damage. The treatments helped, but his ear was never fully restored. The injury became part of his look and drew attention. Many fans say it gives him a unique presence. His strength in overcoming the setback has only added to his appeal and range as an actor.
Kevin Costner's head injury did not just cost him a part of his ear but also caused him hearing loss. The Golden Globe winner often shared his experiences about the accident and treatment process with honesty and strength. He encouraged others to seek professional help.
He showed that facing challenges can lead to growth. He believed it could improve both personal and work life. His message was clear and hopeful.
Who is Kevin Costner?

Source: Original
Kevin Costner is an award-winning actor, filmmaker, and musician. He was born on January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California, U.S.A. He is 69 years old and is the youngest of three boys.
Kevin became interested in acting and dancing during his last year of college in 1978 after a close encounter with the famous actor Richard Burton. He started taking lessons that allowed him to nurture his acting skills and land various minor roles.
It was nit until 1981 that Kevin appeared in his first film, Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. The actor rose to stardom between 1987 and 1994, gaining an impressive reputation in the movie industry and a massive following. During his time, he also appeared in numerous movies and TV shows.
Kevin experienced career fluctuations between 1995 and 2001 but recovered. Kevin started Horizon: An American Saga production in August 2022, which is still ongoing.
The talented actor is also into country music. He is the singer in Kevin Costner & Modern West, a country rock back he founded with motivation from his wife, Christine. The band has released an album titled Untold Truths (November 11, 2008). They released a second album, Turn It On, in February 2010.
Costner's love for the West has led him to direct and act in Western films. In an interview with The Talks, when asked where his love for the genre came from, he responded,
I guess I have always had a level of understanding of the genre, I had a high level of interest in it and how to portray it. All the details and the little things in a Western, they're very American. And no one's ever confused me with anything other than being an American — so I get it. I have a world view of things, but I am American.
Kevin Costner is married to model and handbag designer Christine Baumgartner. They tied the knot on September 25, 2004, at his ranch in Aspen, Colorado.
Is Kevin Costner missing part of an ear?
Speculations about Kevin Costner's ear chunk missing started after it appeared as though something had happened to it while appearing on Yellowstone in 2021. Kevin played the character of John Dutton. A fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
What is up with Kevin Costner’s left ear in tonight’s #Yellowstone? I never noticed it before, and web pics don’t show it.
Others also stated the following in response:
Hello, Joe. You can see it in his photos when he was at the Field of Dreams game.
Another X user even stated that Kevin Costner wore a prosthetic or some patch at the Oscars.
People were mainly surprised because it was an unexpected change, and no one took the time to respond to their concerns.
What illness does Kevin Costner have?
Costner does not appear to have any illness linked to his ear shape. His ear has a visible difference, but it causes no known health problems. There have been a few health concerns in his past. However, none are related to his ear. Some online sources have spread false claims.
Does Kevin Costner have cancer?

Source: Getty Images
There is no evidence that Kevin Costner has cancer. No reliable sources have reported any diagnosis. He has appeared in films and television for more than forty years.
With age, some changes in his appearance are natural. These features may lead to confusion or speculation. However, they are typical signs of ageing, not illness.
What's happened to Kevin Costner's voice?
Kevin Costner's voice change has caught the attention of many fans. His voice sounds deeper and raspier than it did years ago. This change has happened gradually over time. It is a natural result of ageing. There is no known medical issue linked to it.
What is Kevin Costner's syndrome?
There is no medical condition called Kevin Costner's syndrome. It is not a real diagnosis and some people may use the term by mistake. Others might be referring to his ear injury or voice change.
These changes are from past trauma or natural ageing. They are not linked to any specific syndrome. Kevin Costner has not reported any major health issues. He remains active in his career.
Was Kevin Costner in a plane crash?
Kevin has never been in a real plane crash. However, he did act in one for a film. In The Guardian, he plays Ben Randall. Ben is a rescue swimmer sent to help after a plane crash at sea. The scene is dramatic but entirely fictional. Ironically, Costner is a licensed private pilot. He has training and experience in aviation.
FAQs
- How old is Kevin Costner? He was born on January 18, 1955, and is 69 years old as of 2024.
- Where does Kevin Costner come from? The actor hails from Lynwood, California, in the United States of America. He is an American citizen.
- Does Kevin Costner have cancer? Neither Kevin nor his team have publicly come out to claim that he has cancer. Therefore, it can be safe to assume he is cancer-free.
- How many biological children does Kevin Costner have? The filmmaker is a proud dad to seven children.
- How long has Kevin Costner been in the movie industry? He has been active in the film industry for 46 years, since 1978.
- How did fans notice Kevin Costner’s ear problem? The audience saw Kevin’s possible ear issue from one of his appearances in Yellowstone.
What happened to Kevin Costner's left ear? As a teenager, he suffered a serious injury in a car crash that affected his ear. Although he underwent several surgeries, the damage caused a lasting change in its appearance. There is likely no current health problem with his ear.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke

Simon Ayub (Lifestyle writer) Simon Ayub is a Content Manager, Strategist, and writer who joined Tuko's team in 2019. He graduated in 2014 with a BSc in Agricultural Economics and is a CPA. Simon has over a decade of experience creating content for nyagah.co.ke, the Hoth and other platforms. He works on content encompassing biographies, fashion and lifestyle, gaming, and more. Simon was awarded the "Writer of the Year" 2024 on Tuko. In 2023, Simon finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and, in 2024, expanded their skills through the Google Initiative Course. You can reach him via simonayub@gmail.com.

Sharon Boit (Lifestyle writer) Sharon J. Boit is a creative writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience. She began her career as a project manager and researcher at the Center for Urban Research and Innovations, University of Nairobi. Sharon has written articles and blog posts for MSN News, Ihamba Adventures, and Industry Biz. She joined Tuko.co.ke as a Lifestyle Writer in October 2024, covering entertainment, sports, education, and finance. You can reach Sharon J. Boit by email at boit@gmail.com.