Cole Hauser has become widely known for his role as Rip Wheeler on the hit TV show Yellowstone. In the show, Cole sports jet black hair that is quite different from his natural lighter brown locks. This has led many fans to wonder – why did Cole Hauser decide to dye his hair black for Yellowstone?
Cole’s Natural Hair Color
In real life, Cole Hauser has light brown hair that sometimes appears blondish in certain lighting. This is the color he sported in many of his earlier acting roles in films like Good Will Hunting and Pitch Black. However, when taking on the role of Rip Wheeler in Yellowstone, Cole felt that black hair would better fit the character’s dark and gritty personality.
Transforming into Rip Wheeler
Yellowstone’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, had a very specific vision for the character of Rip Wheeler. He is meant to be brooding, mysterious, and little rough around the edges. To get into this character, Cole worked closely with the show’s hair and makeup team to completely transform his natural sandy locks into Rip’s signature raven black hair.
This darker hue gives Rip a tougher, more rugged look befitting his role as the ranch foreman. The color also makes him stand out as one of the most memorable characters on the show, making Cole Hauser nearly unrecognizable from some of his previous gentler film roles.
The Importance of Rip’s Hair
Rip Wheeler’s personality is embodied by his shoulder-length black hair, which hangs in his face and seems to frame his permanent scowling expression. Taylor Sheridan has remarked that he sees Rip’s hair as an integral part of the character’s identity.
“Rip’s hair is like his armor,” Sheridan explained. “It’s a part of him and it’s important.”
Cole Hauser seems to understand this aspect of Rip, as he has not strayed from the jet black shade even when Yellowstone is on hiatus. He maintains the dyed locks between seasons, demonstrating his dedication to Rip’s signature appearance.
The Dyeing Process
To achieve Rip Wheeler’s striking black hair, Cole Hauser has to spend over 3 hours in the hair and makeup trailer before filming each day. The lengthy process involves:
- Stripping out the previous color with bleach
- Toning the hair to prepare it for the new color
- Applying a pure black semi-permanent dye all over
- Setting the dye with a hair dryer
Hauser tolerates the tedious process well, understanding that Rip’s dark persona emerges through the drastic change of hair color.
Hair Damage Concerns
Some fans have expressed concern about damage to Cole Hauser’s hair from constant bleaching and dyeing. However, he does not seem worried about potential damage.
“My hair can handle it,” Cole remarked in one interview. “I think we’ve got it all figured out.”
To keep his hair healthy, Cole relies on hydrating hair masks and Olaplex treatments to repair bonds and prevent breakage. His long-time hairstylist also trims his hair regularly to remove any split ends before they travel up the hair shaft.
Staying in Character
During filming, Cole Hauser stays fully immersed in his gritty Rip Wheeler character at all times. Between takes, he keeps his dyed black hair tucked under a cowboy hat rather than a wig cap.
“I try to just stay in character as much as I can throughout the day,” Cole explained. “The black hair is part of what helps me become Rip.”
In one amusing incident captured on video, Cole kept his black wig on during a rodeo scene – even though all the other actors had removed theirs to reveal their real hair underneath.
“I looked around and I was the only one still wearing the black wig!” Cole said with a laugh. “I was so into being Rip that I forgot to take it off.”
Positive Feedback from Fans
Cole Hauser’s total hair transformation into Rip Wheeler has been a huge hit with Yellowstone fans. Many viewers admit they hardly recognized the actor when they first saw him as Rip. Comments on social media indicate the black hair has totally convinced the audience of Cole’s complete embodiment of the character.
Some fan reactions to Cole’s hair include:
- “That black hair makes him 100% Rip. I can’t see him any other way now!”
- “Cole’s natural hair color is nice but I prefer the intense black they dye it for the show. It just suits Rip so well.”
- “I hope Cole keeps the black hair even when Yellowstone is over. It’s part of his image now.”
Cole seems pleased by the positive feedback about his character’s appearance. In interviews, he indicates he has no plans to go back to his naturally lighter shade anytime soon.
The Future of Rip’s Hair
| Season | Hair Color |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | Black |
| Season 2 | Black |
| Season 3 | Black |
| Season 4 | Black |
| Season 5 | Black (predicted) |
As this table shows, Cole Hauser has maintained Rip Wheeler’s signature raven black hair throughout all four seasons of Yellowstone so far. And all indications point to him keeping the black locks for season 5 and beyond.
In various interviews, Cole has stated he does not plan to alter Rip’s hair as long as the show continues. The actor seems dedicated to preserving his character’s established dark and brooding visual aesthetic.
So it appears Cole Hauser will keep on dyeing his hair black for the role of Rip Wheeler. Fans can expect to see those inky black strands dangling over Rip’s stern expression for as long as Yellowstone remains on the air.
Conclusion
Cole Hauser’s drastic hair color transformation for his Yellowstone character Rip Wheeler brings the brooding ranch hand vividly to life. By dyeing his naturally light brown locks to a jet black shade, Cole fully immerses himself in Rip’s gritty personality and appearance. The intense dyeing process requires dedication and maintenance to avoid hair damage, showing Cole’s commitment to the role.
The striking black hair has become an essential part of Rip’s identity, gaining great positive feedback from fans. Cole seems happy to keep up with the taxing dye regimen as long as needed to portray Rip authentically. So for the foreseeable future, expect to see Cole Hauser sporting raven black hair whenever he steps into Rip Wheeler’s boots.