Cole Hauser and Taylor Sheridan’s behind-the-scenes tension has flared again, with sources claiming the Yellowstone star and creator nearly came to blows for a second time.
The 51-year-old actor, who plays Rip Wheeler on the hit Paramount Network series and its Dutton Ranch spinoff, has reportedly clashed repeatedly with Sheridan, 56, over their contrasting personalities and working styles. Reports said Monday that the pair’s “classic California versus Texas” dynamic boiled over in another near-physical confrontation, though the outlet did not specify when the alleged incident occurred.
“Cole has had beef with Taylor for a while,” one insider said. “Taylor can be a harsh Texas guy. He is super straightforward and thinks fast, so he can come off as brutal, but he is just on top of his game, and he is brilliant.”
“Cole is more casual, more surfer dude,” the source added, calling the pair “oil and water.” “Cole is a super nice dude from Santa Barbara and Taylor is a very harsh but brilliant cowboy from Texas. It’s classic California versus Texas. Cole is more like a relaxed dude, and Taylor is more like ‘do your work and be grateful.'”
The friction has deeper roots than temperament alone. Another source speculated that Sheridan harbors professional envy toward Hauser’s acting success, noting that the Sons of Anarchy alum abandoned his own acting career to focus on writing and directing.
“Taylor might sometimes be hard on actors because when he first came to Hollywood he tried to act and didn’t get very far,” the individual explained. “That was stressful for him, it was a big bummer. Cole on the other hand, he is a natural. His looks, his timing — he has an ease with the camera. And he plays a hero very well.”
Despite the reported tension, a third source insisted Hauser keeps quiet during disagreements because he remains grateful for his signature role. “He says sorry real fast,” the insider claimed. “Taylor … could get rid of Cole anytime. So Cole doesn’t say crap anymore. Taylor does not like putting up with actor crap. He wants actors to stay in line. No diva s–t.”
Hauser appeared to test that unwritten rule last month during a Filmside interview about on-set challenges while Sheridan was absent. “It was about putting my head down and working my ass off with what I had around me,” he said. “We had to figure out on our feet how to really perform and tell a story. So I’m proud of what we accomplished, and I look forward to doing it again.”
Those remarks were “not appreciated,” according to the outlet, which reported that “whether Cole knew it or not, he was sounding an alarm that told the world that there were problems on ‘Dutton Ranch.'”
The pair’s working relationship dates back to 2017, when Hauser joined what would become Yellowstone. Their second meeting was notably contentious: Hauser told Men’s Journal in 2022 that he and Sheridan got into a physical fight the second time they crossed paths, though he declined to provide specifics at the time.
Their conflict extended beyond the set in November 2023, when Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch coffee company sued Hauser’s Free Rein brand over alleged logo similarities. The lawsuit was dismissed in January 2024, with neither party commenting publicly on the resolution.
Reps for both Sheridan and Hauser did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest reports.
The Yellowstone franchise continues production as Paramount Network prepares to air the remainder of the flagship series’ fifth and final season.