Kevin Costner's acting career began with modest jobs, but he never stopped chasing his aspirations since he always thought acting was his calling. In a review for The Moving Picture Show after his first big success, the film Silverado in 1985, reviewer Joe Leydon stated, "Costner, a relative newbie, provides an endearing portrayal that should designate him for greater and better things." Well, he was so correct, for shortly after, the name Costner became recognized not only in the United States but also over the globe, and he remains one of Hollywood's most talented performers even now.
At the same time he was actually figuring his niche in the film industry, another superstar was establishing herself in the music industry. Whitney Houston, a brilliant vocalist, launched her self-titled first record in January 1985. It got hugely popular, with three songs topping the top of the charts. All three songs, Saving All My Love for You, How Will I Know, and Greatest Love of All spent 14 weeks on top of the Billboard 200 chart in 1986. The album eventually became one of the best-selling debuts in history.
The Bodyguard, 1992, was one of the greatest films ever made by these two performers acting together. "I didn't know when I asked Whitney to appear in Bodyguard that it was such a courageous decision," Costner told US Magazine. "It didn't strike me as a daring move at all." "She was the prettiest girl I'd ever seen," I concluded.
Many people were astonished by the selection of an African-American lady to be physically engaged with Costner's character, Frank Farmer, but he said, "It simply looked like she was the greatest person." It didn't feel like I was attempting to cross a bridge. I couldn't think of anyone who didn't want to embrace her."
People were enthralled by the film as soon as it was released. In the blink of an eye, The Bodyguard became the second-highest-grossing film of the year internationally, and the tenth-highest-grossing film of all time. "I'm not sure what it is about this movie," Costner said to the Beach Palm Post. "Perhaps it was the connection, which, as portrayed by Lawrence Kasdan, was incredibly real." Maybe it was because (his bodyguard persona) didn't like her bulls.
She was a diva, and as he says, 'I'm here to help you feel better, not to assist you shopping.' And there's some wonderful man/woman things in there as well, which is actually quite beneficial. The thought that someone is willing to defend you is something that we all want to have in our lives. "Perhaps it's that final hug," Costner speculates.
I Will Always Love You, the movie's theme song, became a global sensation and continues to remain beloved to this day. The track, which was originally sung by Dolly Parton, won Whitney Houston three Grammy Awards in 1993, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Costner and Houston became best buds during production and maintained their connection until the singer's leave this world in 2012.
Millions of supporters, as well as Costner, were saddened by the news of Houston's demise. Whitney became addicted to dru*s, and her addiction ru-ined her life. Throughout the years, Costner claimed to have been sending her postcards. "She'd always be near to me, and she'd always be someone I valued."
When someone asks whether you'll send a letter to anyone you know who is struggling a bit… That's exactly what I did. "I'm not sure if those notes were ever read," stated the actor.
Houston was found unresponsive in her suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California, in the bathtub. She was just 48 years old when she leave this world.
At her cremation, Costner talked about their relationship. "Today, Whitney returned to the place where it all started, and I implore all of us, inside and out, throughout the country and across the globe, to wipe our eyes, defer our sadness – and perhaps our fury – just long enough, just long enough to remember Whitney's sweet music." Once upon a time, I pretended to be your bodyguard. And now you've left us far too early."
