Luke Grimes has admitted that becoming a father for the first time changed the way he “treats everyone” in his life.
The actor starred as Kayce Dutton in the western TV show - a role he has reprised for new programme Marshals.
He acted alongside Brecken Merrill, now 17, who played Kayce’s son Tate, but Luke told Indiewire.com that it was only when he and wife Bianca welcomed son Rigel in October 2024 that everything changed.
He said: “The whole run of Yellowstone, I was just guessing. I didn’t know what being a father was like.
“But I think being a father changes the way I not only treat my pretend son, but the way I treat everyone.
“Now I see everyone as a baby that just got big — I give people a lot more grace and forgiveness knowing they started as someone’s child.
“That was a whole new perspective I didn’t see coming.”
Playing Kayce for the duration of Yellowstone, and reprising the role for Marshals, means that Luke has built a strong relationship with his on-screen alter ego.
He added that while he does his best to be “collaborative” with the director, he also isn’t afraid to speak out if he feels a scene goes against what Kayce would do.
Luke explained: “There are times when you’ve got to put your foot down and say, ‘I don’t think he would do this’.
“If it’s not something they need for the story or tone for the scene to work, if it’s just a character thing, I think I do know best at the end of the day.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Luke opened up about being cast in American Sniper by Clint Eastwood - admitting he actually credits the legendary movie director for helping him land his Yellowstone role.
He mused: “That part should have gone to a movie star, but Clint doesn’t really care about the rules.”
It was when Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan saw American Sniper at the cinema that he realised the actor would be perfect for the role of Yellowstone
He concluded by saying: “I think that played a big part in me getting Yellowstone.”
