Conflict broke out between Kevin Costner, his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner, and tech entrepreneur Daniel Starr, who rented a guest house from the former couple – and developed a close friendship with Baumgartner.
The latest development in the Hollywood split comes after the Oscar-winning actor, 68, filed court documents to force Baumgartner, 49, to vacate his $145 million 10-acre beachfront property in Carpinteria, California , in accordance with their prenuptial agreement.
A source told The sun about the series of events involving 42-year-old Starr, who rented a house on the property, in a report published Monday.
The Dances With Wolves actor-director confronted Starr after learning that “Chris and Daniel hung out a lot” while he was working on location, the source told the outlet.
Starr rented out a beachside boarding house for about $64,000 a month, and Baumgartner “came into his house almost daily,” the source said.
The latest: Conflict broke out between Kevin Costner, 68, his estranged wife Christine Baumgartner, 49, and tech entrepreneur Daniel Starr, who rented a guest house from the former couple — and developed a close friendship with Baumgartner. Photo taken last year
Details: A source told The Sun about the chain of events involving 42-year-old Starr, who rented a house on the property of Carpinteria, California, in a report published Monday
In the end, “there was a fallout and Kevin got wind of it, which led to ‘an argument between him and Daniel’, from which ‘things escalated from there.’
The source added that after Starr “moved in, he became good friends with Chris and Kevin,” and that “they would hang out with their kids together.”
“But Kevin was always away filming, so Chris must have been lonely.”
Starr is a “respectful man” who “crossed no line” in his dealings with Baumgartner, the source told the outlet, adding, “Chris didn’t like Daniel’s attitude towards their friendship. She texted him and said she wanted him out.”
The Yellowstone star shares three children with Baumgartner: sons Cayden, 16, and Hayes, 14, and daughter Grace, 13. The veteran actor is also father to daughters Annie, 39, and Lily, 36, and son Joe, 35, with his ex-wife Cindy Silva; and son Liam, 27, with ex-girlfriend Bridget Rooney.
The source added: “Daniel thought highly of Kevin and thought he was an excellent father to his kids. But Kevin hit the roof and sided with his wife. In the end he wasn’t willing to listen to Daniel.’
Starr moved out last March, the source said.
A Starr representative told DailyMail.com on Monday that Starr “wishes Mr. Costner nothing but the best in his dispute with his estranged wife.”
DailyMail.com has reached out to a Costner representative for comment on this story.
The former couple was photographed in LA in August 2019 with their three children
Last week, Costner asked a court to let Baumgartner vacate the property following her May 1 divorce filing, she had a 30-day window to vacate the home he owns under the terms of their prenuptial agreement.
Final details come after last week, Costner asked a court to allow Baumgartner to vacate the property following her May 1 divorce filing, she had a 30-day window to vacate the home he owns under the terms of their prenuptial agreement, Radar reported Tuesday after reviewing legal documents in the case.
Costner told the court he believes Baumgartner is staying in the house to persuade him to give in to “various financial demands” she’s making in the wake of the split.
Costner said he has already provided Baumgartner with $1.45 million under the terms of the prenuptial agreement, giving her enough money to buy a new place to live.
Costner told the court he would be susceptible to further financial settlements in an attempt to get her to leave the house.
Costner said in court filings that he is willing to “contribute $30,000 a month for a rental home as part of his child support obligations, and is willing to advance an additional $10,000 for her moving expenses.”
He said in court documents that he is the sole owner of the three single-family homes; and according to the prenuptial agreement they signed when they married in 2004, Baumgartner agreed to leave the houses and take her belongings with her in the event they divorced.
Costner has a massive real estate portfolio, culminating in a 10-acre beachfront property in Carpinteria, California, valued at an estimated $145 million.
The house is located on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Costner originally designed a dream home with a pool and guest house, but due to family commitments and spending time at his home in Aspen, he never got around to redeveloping the site.
Costner said he has already provided Baumgartner with $1.45 million under the terms of the prenuptial agreement, giving her enough money to buy a new place to live. Pictured in 2022
The Dances With Wolves actor-director told the court he believes Baumgartner is staying in the house to persuade him to give in to “various financial demands” she’s making in the wake of the breakup.
The former couple was photographed at the SAG Awards in February 2022 in Santa Monica, California
The compound includes 150 yards of private beach, surrounded by cliffs, and the actor has built what appears to be a recreational house on the property surrounded by outdoor furniture and umbrellas.
Originally, the lot came with a polo practice field that baseball enthusiast Costner converted into a ballpark. The home also offers views of the Santa Barbara Mountains, several islands, and a private equestrian trail.
Costner already owned a house on the beach in Carpinteria, and in 2006 bought a 17-acre lot, complete with a modest two-bedroom, two-bath ranch, for $28.5 million. Costner noticed the house when he saw a for sale sign as he ran by.
In 2007, the JFK star sold seven acres of land to a neighbor but combined his homes to create one seamless estate.
Costner noted how he mortgaged a piece of his property in a recent interview with deadline to raise money for his upcoming film franchise Horizon.
“I took out a mortgage on 10 acres on the water in Santa Barbara where I was going to build my last home,” Costner said. But I did it without thinking. It has put my accountant in a terrible conniption fit. But it’s my life and I believe in the idea and the story.’
Costner also owns a ranch in Aspen, Colorado, which spans 160 acres and includes a few lakes. The property includes three separate houses with a total of eight bathrooms and 12 bedrooms, with capacity for as many as 34 guests.
Costner put the property, known as the Dunbar Ranch, on rent at the end of January for $36,000 per night.
Baumgartner, who has worked as a model and handbag designer in the past, filed for divorce from The Bodyguard actor on May 1.
Their relationship started in 1998 and they had exchanged vows at his Colorado ranch in 2004.
After announcing the split, Costner’s representative Arnold Robinson said in a statement, “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have arisen which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in the dissolution of the marriage.”
Costner “wasn’t shocked” when he learned of the divorce filing, sources said People last month, but the news about it still came as ‘an unpleasant surprise’.
‘This is not what he wanted. However, he knew Christine was unhappy,” the source said.
Costner’s busy work schedule had an impact on the relationship, the source added, as she wanted “they to spend family time at their home in Santa Barbara,” but he’s “not around much” when he’s filming is.
The insider said: “His absence has been very difficult for her. Christine doesn’t want him to jump into another project. Since last year he has been obsessed with filming Horizon. She wasn’t happy about it.’