Kevin Michael Costner was born in Lynwood, California and grew up in Compton. He is the youngest of three boys (the middle of whom died at birth). His mother, Sharon Rae (née Tedrick), was a welfare worker, and his father, William Costner, was an electrician who later became a utilities executive at Southern California Edison. Following his father’s career, the Costner family moved to other parts of California. He graduated from Villa Park High School in Orange County and went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Arts in marketing and finance from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) where he was a fraternity brother in Delta Chi.

Mr. Costner is an American actor, film director, producer, musician, and singer. He has won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and one Emmy Award, and was nominated for three BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards. He also is the recipient of an Honorary César, France's national film award.