‘Dutton Ranch’ Star Reveals Dramatic Weight Loss While Filming in Brutal Texas Heat on Set
Cole Hauser has spoken about the difficult conditions while filming the Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch, saying the extreme Texas heat made it hard for him to maintain his usual physical shape for the role.
In an interview with People published on June 4, Hauser explained that the climate directly affected his body during production. Known for playing Rip Wheeler, a physically imposing character, the actor said he normally puts on weight for the role, but the environment worked against him this time.
“I was trying to keep weight on,” Hauser said. “I mean, I usually put on about 25 pounds [to play Rip Wheeler], but it was hard to keep it on.” He added simply, “I was sweating it out.”
The comments highlight just how physically demanding filming became on location in Texas, where much of the spinoff is set. Dutton Ranch follows Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) after they leave Montana and try to build a new life running a ranch in Rio Paloma. The shift in setting brings a new environment for both characters and cast.
Hauser has previously described the Texas shoot as unpredictable and extreme. In another interview with USA TODAY, he said the production rarely relied on controlled studio environments. Instead, actors and crew worked directly in outdoor conditions that often changed without warning.
“Texas is a beast. We’re not on soundstages, except for interior house shots,” he said. “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 environment was not limited to heat alone. The production also faced challenges from wildlife in the region. In a separate appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show on May 19, Hauser revealed that thousands of rattlesnakes were discovered during filming preparation and production.
“Eight months. 3,400 rattlesnakes were caught,” he said during the interview.
His co-star Kelly Reilly also described how safety measures were constantly in place during filming. She said multiple snake wranglers were on set at all times to ensure the areas were cleared before shooting began, especially during 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 noted how dangerous conditions could change depending on location, including one instance where filming had to be stopped after wranglers discovered a den containing dozens of rattlesnakes nearby. Production staff confirmed that hundreds of snakes were removed from filming areas throughout the shoot.
Director Christina Alexandra Voros also previously told USA TODAY that snake wranglers were essential to keeping the set safe, with hundreds of reptiles being relocated during production. She explained that the environment itself was unpredictable and required constant monitoring.
“Texas is filled with things that will bite you, sting you and scare you,” she said.
Between the intense heat, wildlife risks, and physically demanding outdoor shoots, Dutton Ranch presented a significantly different working environment compared to earlier Yellowstone productions. For Hauser, that meant not only adjusting to a new storyline, but also dealing with a climate that directly impacted his physical performance on screen.
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