Kevin Costner Reflects on Directing 'The Bodyguard' Starring Whitney Houston

Kevin Costner was a supporter of Whitney Houston, on and off screen.

Costner, who co-starred with Houston in the 1992 romantic thriller “The Bodyguard,” discussed his experience working with the pop icon during an interview on the “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard” podcast released Monday .

The “Yellowstone” actor played bodyguard Frank Farmer, tasked with protecting R&B singer Rachel Marron, played by Houston. Costner, who also served as a producer on the film, said he began working closely with Houston on her performance after feeling that director Mick Jackson was “afraid” of her.

“I started mentoring her. And I wasn’t trying to usurp my principal, but I made her a promise,” Costner said. “I promised Whitney she would be good in (the film). …I was always going to keep my promise to her.

Kevin Costner talks about “Field of Dreams”:Actor recalls meeting young Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on set of baseball drama

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY daily crossword puzzle.

Released in November 1992, “The Bodyguard” grossed $121.9 million at the worldwide box office, while its Houston-directed soundtrack sold 18 million copies. The film earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song (“I Have Nothing” and “Run to You”).

Costner also discussed building trust with Houston during the film’s production, which included creating a safe environment for the popstar on set.

“I said, ‘Look, you can’t have an entourage, but I’ll take care of you if there’s someone important to you’ – which turned out to be (assistant) Robyn Crawford ” Costner explained. “I said, ‘Let’s have Robyn with you.’ But I said, “I don’t have one.” You won’t get any. And that’s how we started. And I knew it would never be the same for her when she left me.

Costner added that he became Houston’s “imaginary bodyguard” because of the public’s perception of the relationship between their characters. “We had a moment and I realized the world had a better idea of who we were, so I basically embraced it,” he said.

Kevin Costner reflects on his eulogy at Whitney Houston’s funeral

Costner also mulled over the idea of giving Houston’s eulogy at his funeral, two decades after their performance in “The Bodyguard.”

Houston died at the age of 48 in February 2012 after the singer was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Beverly Hills, California, just hours before the music stars began gathering at the hotel for Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party. She died of an accidental drowning caused by heart disease and longtime cocaine abuse, the Los Angeles coroner reported a few weeks later.

Related Posts

Lion cub’s frightening escape after bison stampede caught on camera

UB professors send letter to UB president criticizing management of peaceful protest

ALARM DAY: Strong storms are possible today