‘Dutton Ranch’ Star Cole Hauser Discusses Weight Loss Challenges in Texas Heat
Cole Hauser recently opened up about the tough filming conditions on the Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch, revealing that the extreme Texas heat made it challenging for him to maintain his usual physique for the role.
In an interview with People published on June 4, Hauser shared how the climate directly impacted his body during production. Known for portraying Rip Wheeler, a character that typically requires him to gain weight, he found it difficult to do so this time due to the harsh environment.
“I was trying to keep weight on,” Hauser stated. “I mean, I usually put on about 25 pounds [to play Rip Wheeler], but it was hard to keep it on.” He simply added, “I was sweating it out.”
His comments emphasize the physically demanding nature of filming on location in Texas, where much of the spinoff is set. Dutton Ranch follows Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) as they leave Montana to build a new life running a ranch in Rio Paloma, presenting a fresh environment for both characters and cast.
Hauser has previously described the Texas shoot as unpredictable and extreme. In another interview with USA TODAY, he mentioned that the production rarely utilized controlled studio environments, opting instead to film directly in outdoor conditions that often changed unexpectedly.
“Texas is a beast. We’re not on soundstages, except for interior house shots,” he explained. “I don’t think a lot of people understand filming in that environment. The idea of the crew and the actors being outside, it’s 118 degrees out there. And then it will start snowing. It’s like the weather can’t make up its mind.”
The harsh conditions extended beyond just the heat. The production also faced challenges from local wildlife. In a separate appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show on May 19, Hauser revealed that thousands of rattlesnakes were discovered during the filming process.
“Eight months. 3,400 rattlesnakes were caught,” he shared during the interview.
Co-star Kelly Reilly also highlighted the constant safety measures in place during filming. She noted that multiple snake wranglers were present on set to ensure the areas were cleared before shooting, especially in outdoor scenes filmed in tall grass.
“And I’m just praying, like, please let them have got all the snakes in this vicinity,” Reilly said. “They just pick them up and put them somewhere far away from us.”
She also recounted how dangerous conditions could shift depending on the location, including an instance where filming had to be halted after wranglers found a den with dozens of rattlesnakes nearby. Production confirmed that hundreds of snakes were removed from filming areas throughout the shoot.
Director Christina Alexandra Voros previously told USA TODAY that snake wranglers were crucial for maintaining safety on set, with hundreds of reptiles being relocated during production. She explained that the unpredictable environment required constant vigilance.
“Texas is filled with things that will bite you, sting you and scare you,” she remarked.
With the intense heat, wildlife hazards, and physically demanding outdoor shoots, Dutton Ranch has presented a notably different working environment compared to previous Yellowstone productions. For Hauser, this meant not only adapting to a new storyline but also coping with a climate that significantly affected his physical performance on screen.
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