3 min read
Taylor Sheridan is truly a one-man band. Not only does he dream up, write, direct, and produce some of the biggest television series and films of the decade, he can also act. And because he has a say in the casting, he can look no further than in the mirror when there’s a role that he wouldn’t mind setting aside for himself.
Sheridan’s not just a dude with a big ego — he’s a big fan of Westerns and a talented actor who’s been doing it as far back as the mid-1990s. He’d been taking roles long before he became the Taylor Sheridan, and if you watched Sons of Anarchy, you probably remember that he had a big part as Deputy Chief David Hale. He was in 21 episodes!
Of course, the mind behind the Yellowstone universe couldn’t do it without the long roster of professional actors who give their all to their performances — he loves to recycle talent when possible — but why not have a little fun yourself occasionally?
And he has, in these roles:
Travis Wheatley on Yellowstone
Paramount
We won’t sugarcoat — fans didn’t love it when Taylor put himself in his most popular show as the character Travis Wheatley, who was in a dozen episodes of Yellowstone across four seasons. They were vocal about their distaste for the decision, with one person saying his “enormous ego overshadowed everything” and others calling his character, a horse trader, “pointless.”
Cody Spears on Lioness
Ryan Green/Paramount+
Cody Spears is no cowboy, because this is no cowboy show. The Lioness character is team leader of the Delta Force and a seasoned operative who previously did a mission with the CIA’s Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldana) to rescue a U.S. senator who’d been kidnapped and taken to Mexico. He’s got staying power — Taylor first appeared as Cody in Season 2 of Lioness, and he has already been in a Season 3 episode. The new season just started this month, so there are likely more to come. Episodes stream every Sunday on Paramount.
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Charles Goodnight on 1883
Paramount
Taylor Sheridan portrayed real-life historical figure Charles Goodnight — a rancher in the American West who actually invented the chuckwagon — in two back-to-back episodes of 1883. He was a bit of a hero, helping Shea (Sam Elliott) and Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) fight off bandits. So while it was a small role, it was impactful.
Unnamed Cowboy in Hell or High Water
Lionsgate
You may have to squint to tell, but yeah, that’s Taylor Sheridan on the back of that horse. His cameo in this 2016 film about two West Texas brothers who rob banks is so small, he didn’t even name the guy. He’s just a cowboy who’s trying to move his herd from one plot of land to another, but a big wildfire is in the way. Watch the scene here. Hell or High Water was nominated for not one, but four Academy Awards, so people really liked it — they just weren’t watching for Taylor.
Is Taylor Sheridan Working on Any New Shows Right Now?
The real question: When is he not? In addition to Lioness, which just started rolling out new episodes, Taylor Sheridan is executive producing a new comedy series called Frisco King—a spinoff of Tulsa King— with Samuel L. Jackson as the main draw. A new action thriller flick called F.A.S.T. starring Brandon Sklenar is in postproduction now, too. Expect both in 2027, and don’t be surprised if Taylor makes a little cameo.
Amanda Hensel Jermstad is a skilled writer based in Austin, Texas. She spent 14 years as Editor-in-Chief of Taste of Country, where she led coverage of the artists, stories and trends shaping country music. With a career deeply rooted in the genre, Amanda has built a reputation for sharp editorial insight and authentic storytelling. Outside of work, she’s a proud mom of three.