‘Yellowstone’ Star Cole Hauser’s Father and ‘Young and the Restless’ Alum, Dead at 78
Wings Hauser has died at 78.
The actor was best known for playing Greg Foster on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless” in 1977 and again in 2010. He was also the father of “Yellowstone” star Cole Hauser, 49.
His wife, Cali Lili Hauser, confirmed his passing to Variety, revealing he died on March 15 of natural causes.
Born Gerald Dwight “Wings” Hauser, he also leaves behind one adult daughter, Bright Hauser.
Cali paid tribute to her husband in a lengthy social media post on Wednesday, March 19.
“Movie icon Wings Hauser took flight in the arms of his film & music partner, Cali Lili Hauser, at their studio this weekend,” she wrote, adding a photo with Hauser and their dog in Carmel, California, before reflecting on his Hollywood legacy.
“Born in Hollywood, proud Academy member and prouder son of Academy Award winning writer, director, producer Dwight A. Hauser and loving mother Geraldine T. Hauser, Wings Hauser’s one of a kind, legendary career spanned 58 years in movies, tv & music working alongside many of the greatest artists in the industry and earning their respect,” she continued.
His wife also claimed “his living wish” was “handing the torch to the love of his life, Cali, requesting she continue the work embodying their partnership, their love story and honoring his legacy.”
She said that in lieu of flowers or cards, Hauser would want movie and music lovers to show their ongoing support for his “current and future projects by the award winning sustainable indie film and music studio” and the “sea-life and butterfly sanctuary hand-built by the Hausers.”
Hauser’s breakthrough role as Greg Foster in “The Young and the Restless” wasn’t his only TV gig, but it was his biggest. He starred in 15 episodes after taking over the role from actors James Houghton and Brian Kern.
Hauser went on to work on several hit shows, like “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Fall Guy,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Perry Mason,” “Roseanne” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” His most recent was “Criminal Minds” in 2010.
He also starred in films, including “Vice Squad” (1982), “Tough Guys Don’t Dance” (1987), and “The Insider” (1999) with Al Pacino and Russell Crowe.
His famous son recently spoke about following in his father’s footsteps — and revealed the advice he received after taking on the role of Kevin Costner’s son-in-law Rip Wheeler in “Yellowstone.”
“Oh god, yeah. I mean, I think his advice was, you know, persist until you succeed,” Cole told People ahead of the Season 5: Part 2 premiere in November. “Yeah, you know you’re gonna get knocked down in this business. You’re gonna be told ‘no’ a lot, but just keep following your dreams.”
Cole has yet to post about his dad’s death.
The Post reached out to him for comment but did not immediately hear back.