On mega popular Paramount Network Neo-Western drama “Yellowstone,” actor Cole Hauser portrays tough ranch hand and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly)’s love interest Rip Wheeler. Hauser is still shocked by how much “Yellowstone” fans love Rip, as he explained in a 2022 interview, touching on how his character has become something of a fan favorite. For his portrayal of Rip on “Yellowstone”, Hauser draws from his childhood, during which he lived on a large ranch and even took care of a horse of his own. Pulling from some of his personal experiences therefore became an integral part of his approach to ranch hand Rip.
It’s perhaps unsurprising, then, that Hauser would enjoy working opposite seasoned cowboy actor Forrie J. Smith. On “Yellowstone,” Smith portrays Lloyd, one of the older hands on the Dutton Ranch. Smith’s filmography includes roles in classic cowboy flick “Tombs tone” as well modern hits like “Transamerica” and “Better Call Saul.” Just like with Hauser, Smith’s cowboy and cowboy-adjacent roles are inspired by some extensive experience with real-life ranch work.
Beyond their similarities to one another, Hauser described watching Smith run as a highlight of filming “Yellowstone” in response to an interview question about moments on set that have made him laugh.
Cole Hauser thinks that Forrie J. Smith has one of the all-time greatest gaits
Around the time that “Yellowstone” Season 4 was in the midst of airing, the IMDb YouTube account published a joint video interview with Rip Wheeler actor Cole Hauser and Jamie Dutton actor Wes Bentley. After the two of them introduce themselves, an offscreen interviewer asks each man to share what they think was the funniest thing to happen on set during the making of “Yellowstone.”
Hauser, who responds first, immediately starts to laugh, but stops himself from sharing the first memory that comes to mind, hinting that it’s somehow inappropriate. Instead, he replies that he thinks watching Forrie J. Smith run is among some of his funniest experiences on set. “It’s one of the greatest gaits of all time,” he says, as Bentley laughs knowingly. On-screen footage from “Yellowstone” included in the interview then confirms that Smith does indeed run in a distinct manner.
With this information in mind, then, fans that might not have found anything notable about it previously can now join Hauser in taking particular joy in the way Smith runs as Lloyd on “Yellowstone.”