Daniel Craig Costner is the older brother of Hollywood star Kevin Costner. Unlike Kevin, Dan prefers a quiet life. He has worked behind the scenes in business and technology, and he has supported his brother’s projects for many years. This article gives a clear and simple look at his life, family, and work.
Quick bio (at a glance)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel Craig “Dan” Costner |
| Known for | Older brother of actor Kevin Costner; low-profile businessman and project partner |
| Born | 1950 (widely reported; month often listed as November) |
| Parents | William and Sharon Costner |
| Siblings | Kevin Costner (younger brother); Mark Douglas Costner (died in infancy, 1953) |
| Work highlights | Finance lead at Tig Productions (Kevin’s company); later, work with oil-spill clean-up technology |
| Notable service | U.S. Navy/Marine Corps medal for heroism during Vietnam |
| Public presence | Very private; rarely gives interviews |
Early life and family
Dan was born in 1950, about five years before Kevin. The Costner family lived in Southern California. Their parents, William and Sharon, raised their children with a strong work ethic. Sadly, Dan and Kevin also had a brother, Mark Douglas, who died a day after birth in 1953. This loss is part of the family story and is recorded in public memorial records.
As adults, the brothers stayed close. Dan keeps a low profile and remains supportive of Kevin. Photos and reporting show them together at different moments over the years, but Dan usually avoids the spotlight.
Supporting Kevin’s film career
In the late 1980s, when Kevin’s career was rising, Dan stepped into a key role inside the family business. In a 1989 profile, Kevin explained that Dan became in charge of finances at Tig Productions (named for their grandmother). To do this, Dan left a corporate vice-president job. The same article notes that Kevin even turned down a role in Platoon partly out of respect for Dan’s service in Vietnam. Dan also received a Navy and Marine Corps medal for heroism. These details show trust between the brothers and Dan’s willingness to help from the background.
A turn toward technology and environmental work
After the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill, Kevin became interested in oil-spill clean-up. Over the 1990s and 2000s, the Costner team helped develop centrifuge machines that separate oil from water. Many news outlets covered this story in 2010 during the Deepwater Horizon disaster, and they often mention Dan as the scientist/engineer brother working with Kevin. These reports say the machines could return water that was 97–99% free of oil.
The company side of this work included Costner Industries (CINC) in Nevada and later Ocean Therapy Solutions (OTS). Industry reporting describes Dan as the engineer and hands-on shop manager during the manufacturing push at CINC, while Kevin focused on financing and promotion. This split shows Dan’s practical, technical role.
During the 2010 Gulf spill, BP tested and purchased a number of these separation units. Major outlets covered the orders and the later legal disputes around the business. Whatever the debates, these reports confirm that Kevin’s team—with Dan involved—delivered oil-water separation machines at scale in response to the crisis.
What this tells us about Dan Costner
Putting these sources together, we can see a consistent picture:
- Dan is practical and private. He managed money and operations for his brother’s film company and later moved into technical projects.
- He is service-minded. Reports noted his Vietnam-era medal, and coverage shows his interest in environmental solutions rather than publicity.
- He values family loyalty. Multiple stories show that Dan and Kevin back each other, with Dan helping behind the scenes when it matters.
Because Dan avoids media attention, many personal details—like his private home life—are not public. Good reporting focuses on his work and support roles rather than celebrity life.
Legacy and impact
Dan Costner does not chase fame, but his choices have shaped well-known work:
- Film business stability. By handling finances at Tig Productions in the late 1980s, Dan helped Kevin build a steady base for big projects during a key period of his career.
- Environmental technology. His involvement with CINC and OTS placed him in the engineering and operations side of an important, if sometimes debated, response to oil spills. This effort reached national attention during the 2010 Gulf spill.
- Quiet example. Dan shows that not every important figure in a famous family stands in front of the camera. His work style is low-key but useful, and it supports outcomes that other people see.
Final thoughts
Daniel Craig Costner lives mostly off-camera, but his story matters. He helped manage a growing film business, joined engineering work aimed at real-world problems, and stayed loyal to family. If you want the story behind the star, Dan is a good example of how quiet work can make big things possible.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1) Who is Daniel Craig Costner?
He is Kevin Costner’s older brother. He is a businessman who has worked in film company finance and in oil-spill clean-up technology projects.
2) Is “Dan” the same person as Daniel Craig Costner?
Yes. News and interviews often call him Dan Costner.
3) When was he born?
Reliable profiles list 1950 as his birth year. Some list November 1950.
4) What did he do at Tig Productions?
He was in charge of finances at Kevin’s company and left a corporate vice-president job to take that role.
5) Did Dan serve in the military?
Yes. He received a Navy and Marine Corps medal for heroism during Vietnam.
6) How did he help with oil-spill clean-up?
He worked with Kevin on centrifuge machines that separate oil from water. These devices were highlighted during the 2010 Gulf spill.
7) Did BP actually use the machines?
BP ordered and tested the devices in 2010, and later reports detailed purchases and the results of field tests.
8) What companies were involved?
Key names include Costner Industries (CINC) in Nevada and Ocean Therapy Solutions (OTS). Dan was the engineer and shop manager at CINC.
9) What about his other brother?
Dan and Kevin had a brother, Mark Douglas, who died in infancy in 1953.
10) Is Dan active on social media or in interviews today?
No. He keeps a very private life and rarely gives interviews or public updates.
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