From 'living in a car' to $200 million deal: Taylor Sheridan's unyielding pursuit of the dreams!
From humble beginnings and living in a car to helming a $200 million deal with Paramount, Taylor Sheridan's unwavering journey to Yellowstone's success is a testament to his "refusal to fail".
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:27 PM ISTFrom humble beginnings and living in a car to helming a $200 million deal with Paramount, Taylor Sheridan's unwavering journey to Yellowstone's success is a testament to his "refusal to fail".
Taylor Sheridan: From Obscurity to the Heart of Hollywood's Western Revival
In a world filled with flash-in-the-pan celebrities, Taylor Sheridan stands as a testament to perseverance. As a character plucked straight from one of his own gritty Western tales, Sheridan's rise to become the mastermind behind the monumental TV success "Yellowstone" is filled with plot twists worth their own cinematic adaptation.
The Long, Hard Ride to Stardom
There's an old saying in Hollywood: overnight success can take years. Taylor Sheridan's meteoric rise to become the creator and writer of the groundbreaking series, "Yellowstone", is a case study of tenacity. The series, hailed by many as a "red-state Succession", has become a beacon for Hollywood legends like Sylvester Stallone and Helen Mirren. Yet, as reported by Fortune, before the accolades and the 12.1 million viewer premieres, was a man who knew what it felt like to sleep in a car and to truly understand the life of a cowboy.
Sheridan's early years were steeped in hardship. From facing financial struggles on a ranch near Waco, Texas, to living in his car in the sprawling city of Los Angeles, Sheridan's background was far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. His poignant revelation, "I was really broke but made the choice not to quit and go home," encapsulates the gritty determination that would propel him to later success.
Writing His Way to the Top
Though he would find moderate success in acting gigs in shows like CSI and NYPD Blue, it was his talent for writing that would change Sheridan's destiny. Despite financial difficulties, the purchase of scriptwriting software marked a turning point. With it, he crafted masterpieces like 'Sicario' and 'Hell or High Water', projects that not only achieved critical acclaim but were also the gateway to his very own TV series.
In a candid interview with CBS News, Sheridan reflected on his challenging journey, stating, “I have never seen anyone bang their head against the wall for 20 years and then make it.” It's a testament to his unwavering belief that every obstacle can be overcome with enough grit and resilience.
Today, Taylor Sheridan sits atop a Western empire, having clinched a lucrative nearly $200 million deal with ViacomCBS, now Paramount. His projects continue to dominate viewer lists, attracting Hollywood bigwigs to be a part of his visionary tales.
Yet, in all his grandeur, there's a simplicity to Sheridan. Whether it's his preference for the raw, untamed landscapes of Texas ranches or his genuine love for the cowboy way of life, he remains grounded. As he confided in the local publication Fort Worth, when it comes to riding horses, "There’s nothing I’d rather do."
Hollywood may have its new Western king, but in his heart, Taylor Sheridan will always be a cowboy.
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)