On the cusp of the highly anticipated “Yellowstone” return, the heartthrob teases the upcoming final season and discusses how he landed the role, why he first got into acting and his deep family roots in Montana and Hollywood.

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Parade, the premium legacy entertainment and lifestyle brand, released its latest cover story featuring Yellowstone fan favorite, Cole Hauser. In the exclusive interview, Hauser sheds some light on part two of the show’s upcoming final season, which premieres Sunday, November 10 on the Paramount Network.

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Cole Hauser Talks Yellowstone and More in Parade Cover Story (Photo: Business Wire)

The interview took place from Hauser’s Florida home while he was on a break from hurricane cleanup. It covers a wide range of topics including the love story between Hauser’s character Rip Wheeler and the incendiary Beth Dutton (actress Kelly Reilly), growing up in a Hollywood family but outside of the bright lights of LA, his friendship with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and more.

Read the full interview here. Notable quotes are below.

On Beth and Rip’s relationship

They’ve been through so much together. And it’s captivated audiences. With Kelly’s acting and the way that we get along—on and off camera—I’m lucky to have worked with her.

On what will happen to the couple this season

You see Rip supporting her a lot. There’s been tremendous loss [star Kevin Costner, as family patriarch John Dutton, is not returning this season]. Being the man that he is, and also the husband and the friend that he is to her, there’s just a lot of support and Rip trying to do the best he can to help her.

On internet fan theories that things will not end well for Rip

You’ll have to wait. Listen, Rip does a lot of the killing. I’ll tell you that.

On the talk of a Rip and Beth spinoff series

I mean, obviously it would be amazing. There are talks about it, and we’ll see how it shakes out.

On auditioning for the role

I didn't audition. I just spoke with [co-creators] Taylor Sheridan and John Linson. I've known John for many years. We spoke for like an hour and a half about the different roles and the story. He asked me who I wanted to play, and I told him Rip.

On filming in Montana

I’ve had family there since the 1880s on the Hauser side. My great-great-grandfather [Samuel Thomas Hauser] was the seventh governor of Montana. So, it was an honor to go back and do something in the state.

On his mother’s (Cass Warner) lineage to the actual Warner brothers, of the Warner Bros. entertainment dynasty

I didn't grow up in the business or around it. I grew up in Oregon, Florida and Texas, and so when I finally got back to California and got into acting, my mom opened up and told me about my family and our history. Her family came from Russia and made it to Newcastle, Pennsylvania, and started the talkies in movies.

On getting into acting

During my first year of high school, I broke my knee playing football. A friend was like, “You should come to this acting class.” And I thought, Well, there are a lot of pretty girls in it, so I'll go and do it. Three years later, I was on camera.

On his first movie, 1992’s School Ties, opposite fellow up-and-comers Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chris O’Donnell

Nobody was really a star at the time or had done much, and we all came together in Cambridge, Mass. It was just a dream gig. We were really taking it seriously and pushing each other to do the best work we could.

On staying in touch with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck after filming Good Will Hunting

They’re like brothers. We all lived together for quite some time. And we ate a lot of Oodles of Noodles and mac and cheese. I think we can all make Top Ramen about 10 different ways.

On Rip Wheeler

We never thought Rip would be so loved! But I'm happy that the character has touched so many people. Taylor has written some wonderful scenes where you get to see all of these colors, which is a dream come true for an actor. And what's cool about Rip is that he's got a great heart. But if you cross him or cross the family, it's obviously over for you.

To view this story, or any of previous Parade cover stories, click here.

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