Cole Hauser Says Older Fans Have Grabbed Him After 'Yellowstone' Fame; Actor to Return in Spin-Off

Cole Hauser said he has experienced unusual and sometimes physical encounters with fans since his rise to mainstream fame on Paramount Network’s Yellowstone, and Fox News Digital confirmed he will reprise his role as Rip Wheeler in a forthcoming spin-off that picks up after the original series finale.

In a recent interview with Page Six, Hauser, 50, recounted that some older female fans have been overly familiar. "I’ve had some old women grab my a--," he said. "It’s been a little bit … a little bit strange." He added that most fans have been respectful but suggested that alcohol sometimes makes older women "a little aggressive."

Hauser first gained attention with film roles in Good Will Hunting and Dazed and Confused before achieving wider recognition as Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone. The series, which centered on the Dutton family and their ranching empire, concluded its original run with a fifth season earlier this year.

Fox News Digital reported that Hauser and co-star Kelly Reilly will return as Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton in a new series with the working title The Dutton Ranch. The new show is expected to continue the storyline from the Yellowstone series finale and remain set within the same universe created by Taylor Sheridan. Details about the spin-off’s premiere date, supporting cast, and episode order have not been released.

Hauser’s comments about fan behavior come amid increased scrutiny of celebrity interactions as shows draw larger, more passionate audiences. Yellowstone’s popularity has driven strong fan interest in cast appearances and conventions, and some performers have publicly discussed both positive and uncomfortable encounters with admirers.

Representatives for Hauser did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The actor’s account appeared in the context of a wider interview about his career and the ways his life changed after joining Yellowstone’s ensemble. Hauser’s upcoming return to the franchise continues a trend of original cast members anchoring new projects within the franchise’s expanding slate.

As production moves forward on The Dutton Ranch, viewers and industry observers will watch for casting announcements, episode details and how the new series positions itself in relation to both the original Yellowstone run and the broader franchise of related projects.