Kevin Costner's health struggles while filming 'Hidden Figures'

In a recent interview with People magazine, Academy Award winner Kevin Costner, 69, revealed the challenges he faced while filming the biographical drama "Hidden Figures" in 2016. Despite suffering from kidney stones symptoms, including severe pain and needing an IV drip, Costner pushed through to complete his scenes as NASA leader Al Harrison. He shared that he was on morphine during the last two weeks of filming, describing the experience as both painful and miraculous, especially working with director Theodore Melfi and co-star Octavia Spencer. Costner also opened up about his personal struggles, including his recent divorce from his wife of 18 years, Christine Baumgartner. Reflecting on the divorce, Costner acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but emphasized the importance of moving forward for the sake of his children. Baumgartner filed for divorce in May 2023, citing irreconcilable differences, and requested privacy for their family during this challenging time. Despite the physical and emotional challenges he faced during the filming of "Hidden Figures," Costner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work on the project and collaborate with Melfi in developing the character of Al Harrison. The film, which earned three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, highlighted the contributions of three African-American mathematicians to NASA during the Space Race in the 1960s. Costner, known for his dedication to his craft, shared insights into his approach to filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of strong female characters in his movies. He discussed his latest project, "Horizon: An American Saga," which features female characters driving the story in every plotline. Despite the film's modest opening weekend box office receipts, Costner remains committed to creating meaningful stories that resonate with audiences.