Thoughts of the Kevin Costner Variety

Thoughts of the Costner Variety

Yes, I mean Kevin Costner, the actor best known for his Oscar-winning year with "Dances with Wolves" (1990), which garnered 7 Academy Awards and, according to Kevin Costner in an interview in July 20, 2008 "Parade" magazine, put such strain on his marriage of 16 years (they were wed in 1978) that it collapsed under the strain. Costner had three children with his college girlfriend from Cal State, Fullerton (Cindy Silva): Anne (now 23), Lily (now 21) and Joe (now 20). Costner also fathered a child out-of-wedlock with socialite Bridget Rooney, a Pittsburgh resident. That child, Liam, is not 11, but the marriage-shy Costner did not tie the knot with the child's mother.

Then he met Christine Baumgartner, the blonde, younger trophy wife (whom he had met once before on a golf course many years prior when practicing for his role in "Tin Cup." Baumgartner is 33 years old, to Costner's 53, and they have been married for four years (2004). They have a son, Cayden, who is one.

So, what pearls of wisdom does the marriage-shy Costner have to share with readers who might miss his Midwest tour with his band? Yes, his band. It seems that old movie stars never really die; they just form a rock band and tour, and that is what Costner is going to be doing with his band, the country rock band Modern West, which will be playing Chicago's House of Blues soon. (Costner says his wife joins him as often as possible on the road.)

I heard Costner sing in "The Postman" and my Costner fix will have to wait until his latest movie, "Swing Vote" hits theaters on August 1^st. To say it was a painful experience to watch (and/or listen) to Costner sing is being kind.

But back to Pearls of Costner Wisdom, and I mean this seriously. The man has given some thought to life and love and one of my favorite quotes from way back when is "Marriage is a tough gig."

New Pearls of Wisdom are these: