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“Yellowstone” actor Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler on the popular Peacock show has a new role to add to his already storied acting career — as a Fort Worth Police Officer. Hauser was appointed an honorary Fort Worth Police Officer by Police Chief Neil Noakes on Wednesday April 17.
This honor was bestowed on the “Yellowstone” heavy as a “small token for his respect and support for the men & women in blue who serve our community and our military members and veterans,” a FWPD Instagram post read.
Several images from this event show Hauser shaking hands with Chief Noakes and conversing with the officers who were in attendance to show their support of his appointment.
The FWPD post also named dropped Hauser’s new coffee brand Free Rein Coffee Company, which the veteran actor was handing out during the event. According to a release, this coffee brand is more than an outside business venture for Hauser and his investors. It’s also a lifestyle company “with a mission of serving those who serve our country.” A portion of all Free Rein Coffee sales go to support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, an organization that provides educational and other opportunities to the children of fallen service members. The funds that go to help these families are designed to help each child from the “cradle to career” (preschool – college).
According to the SOWF website, comprehensive educational support includes academic advocacy, preschool and private school grants, tutoring, support for students with disabilities, college readiness programs, full financial assistance for up to a four-year post-secondary degree, access to our college to career transitions program, a commitment to cover educational costs for the surviving children of Special Operations Personnel whose spouses perish while the Special Operator is actively serving, while providing a variety of other practical programs and services.
To top this off, SOWF also provides immediate financial grants to severely combat-wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Personnel who require hospitalization.
This is a much better spin on Hauser's coffee company, which as of last December was being sued by “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan for having a label similar to his coffee brand Bosque Ranch. Hauser’s coffee also made headlines for joining forces with North Texas-based franchise HTeaO at 100 of its locales across the Lone Star State.
“As a nation built on dreams and aspirations, we want to inspire the go-getters, the dreamers, and the believers to fuel their pursuits,” Hauser said in a release. “Just as the American Dream knows no boundaries, we aim to exceed expectations and create a legacy of our own — one that is deeply connected to our roots and the core values that shaped us. I am so excited for everyone to finally have their hands on this coffee!”
Besides the character of Rip Wheeler, which will be a role that will follow Hauser the rest of his career, he’s been in numerous film projects that include everything from the indie classic “Dazed and Confused” to the Academy Award-winning “Good Will Hunting.” Hauser was also nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in Joel Schumacher’s 2000 film “Tigerland.”
