Actor Wings Hauser, Father Of “Yellowstone” Star Cole Hauser, Has Died
on Mar 20, 2025
Beloved Young & The Restless star Gerald Dwight “Wings” Hauser has died at 78.
Wings Hauser, the father of Yellowstone actor Cole Hauser, was best known for his roles in Vice Squad and Young & The Restless. He died at his home in California of natural causes on Saturday, his wife Cali Lili shared on Thursday (March 20).
“Movie icon Wings Hauser took flight in the arms of his film & music partner, Cali Lili Hauser at their studio this weekend,” Cali Lili wrote on social media. “Wings Hauser’s one of a kind, legendary career spanned 58 years in movies, tv & music working alongside many of the greatest artists in the industry and earning their respect.”
Hauser appeared in numerous movies and television shows over the course of his decades-long career.
Wings, born Gerald Dwight Hauser, became a household name when he joined the cast of Young & The Restless in 1977. He played Greg Foster until 1981 then returned to the role for a few episodes in 2010.
In total, he appeared in 41 television series, including recurring roles on Beverly Hills, 90210, Roseanne, and Murder, She Wrote.
His movie credits include “First to Fight,” “Vice Squad,” “Tough Guys Don’t Dance,” and nearly 60 more.
Wings Hauser is being remembered as “a force of nature.”
Wings was married three times. His first marriage, to Jane Boltinhouse, resulted in the birth of his daughter, Bright. Bright confirmed her father’s passing in a touching message posted to Facebook.
“With a heavy heart to share the passing of my dear father. We celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, passion, and an undeniable presence—Gerald ‘Wings’ Hauser. He was more than just an actor; he was a force of nature, a storyteller … a friend, a mentor, a dreamer, and above all, a man who loved deeply,” she wrote.
“Dad your journey here may have ended, but your presence will never fade. Rest easy, and may your next adventure be just as bold as the life you led. I love you.”
Wings was then married to Cass Warner Sperling, and the couple welcomed son Cole, who went on to become a legendary actor in his own right. Most notably, Cole played Rip Wheeler on the hit Taylor Sheridan series, Yellowstone.
RELATED: 10 PHOTOS OF YELLOWSTONE‘S COLE HAUSER THROUGH THE YEARS
His mother, Cass, died in March of 2024.
In a 2021 interview with Cowboys & Indians magazine, Hauser revealed that he didn’t know Wings was his father until he was 9 or 10.
“I saw him on TV, and I didn’t know he was my dad. I waited for the finish of the film, and I saw Wings Hauser [in the credits]. So, I went into my mom’s room, and I said, ‘Hey mom. I just saw a guy on TV, his name’s Wings Hauser,'” Cole recalled. “She looked at me and went: ‘Wow!’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I saw this guy.’ And she goes, ‘Yeah, well, let’s talk about that.’ And so, she explained to me who he was. And that’s how I found out about my dad.”
Cole has yet to comment on his father’s death.
