Cole Hauser says helping children with Special Operations Warrior Foundation is his ‘way of serving’
Actor Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler in the TV series Yellowstone, is also a philanthropist in addition to being an actor.
The 48-year-old star is involved in Special Operations Warrior Foundationa charity that provides scholarships to children whose parents have died in the military.
Speak with CBSHauser said, “I’m a big fan of second chances. You know, for children it’s a huge loss when they lose a family member.’
The father-of-three, who shares Ryland, Colt and Steely with wife Cynthia Daniel, commented, “Maybe it’s just my way of serving. You know, this country, the soldiers, their families.’
Hauser began working with the organization 20 years ago and in that time more than 1,100 grants have been awarded.
Giving Back: Actor Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler on the TV series Yellowstone, is a philanthropist in addition to his acting career — he’s worked with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation for 20 years
Conversation: The 48-year-old star spoke to CBS about his involvement with the charity, which provides college scholarships to children whose parents have died in the military
In addition to a financial contribution, the 2 Fast 2 Furious actor also participated in a United Service Organizations tour in Afghanistan.
He also made private visits to Walter Reed Medical Center and developed personal relationships with critically wounded servicemen.
Hauser described forming a friendship with a triple amputee.
“I walked in and I [said]”God, you look like a rat’s ass,” but it made him smile, you know?
“And then we started talking and it was just, you know, it broke the ice,” Hauser recalled.
Cole sits on the charity’s board of directors and has worked with Clay Hutmacher, the foundation’s chairman, to also establish grants for families who lose a non-military parent.
“When they calculate what they will do in the future, funding their children’s education is not part of that equation. We understand that,” Hutmacher told the outlet.
Hauser feels called to carry on the legacy of his grandfather Milton Sperling, who was a Marine and Hollywood producer and screenwriter during World War II.
“I think it’s as good as a human being, just like the human element of wanting to help. Just to see someone go through that moment of grace,” he explained.
His belief: Speaking to CBS, Hauser said, “I’m a big fan of second chances. You know, for kids, if they lose a family member, it’s a huge loss for them.”
Statistics: Since Cole started working with the foundation, more than 1,100 grants have been distributed to children
Family man: Cole and wife Cynthia Daniel share two sons, Ryland, 18, and Colt, 14, and a 10-year-old daughter, Steely Rose
Last month, the actor and his wife Cynthia were seen in Italy with their three children.
They posed side by side as they cycled their way through the Tuscany region.
He took to social media to share photos of his sons and daughter enjoying the countryside.
“Cruisin through Tuscany,” Cole wrote in a caption to his 1.6 million followers.
The happy couple have two sons, Ryland, 18, and Colt, 14, and a 10-year-old daughter, Steely Rose.
Earlier this month, Paramount Network announced that Yellowstone will officially end with the launch of the final episodes of the fifth season in November.
The show has been a monster hit for the network, telling the story of the Dutton family and their struggle over their massive Montana ranch.
In character: Hauser plays Rip Wheeler on the Paramount+ show. Seen with Kelly Reilly who plays Beth Dutton
Yellowstone fans will likely be reassured by the news that a sequel has already received a full series order.
Matthew McConaughey has been tipped as a possible star, though producers have yet to confirm any new cast members.
A Paramount spokesperson told the publication that “McConaughey is a phenomenal talent who we would love to work with.”
The new show will begin on Paramount Network and then stream exclusively on Paramount+.