Gaby Hoffmann's Subtle Critique of Kevin Costner's 'Paternal Energy' in 'Field of Dreams'

Field of Dreams Gaby Hoffmann Shades at Kevin Costners Lack of Paternal Energy on Set

Kevin Costner holding Gaby Hoffmann in a scene from the film ‘Field Of Dreams’, 1989. Universal/Getty Images

Gaby Hoffman, who played a role in Field of Dreams, shared that despite Kevin Costner playing her dad in the movie, she did not feel any love from him off-camera. She mentioned that there was a lot of paternal energy on the set of the 1989 movie, but not from Costner, who is now 69 years old.

Hoffman, 42, shared in an interview published on Thursday, May 30, that she did not sense paternal energy from Kevin Costner. She added, "We’ll leave it at that."

The classic film was based on the 1982 novel Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella. In the movie, Ray Liotta portrayed Shoeless Joe Jackson while Costner played a farmer named Ray Kinsella who constructs a baseball field. This field attracts a team of baseball playing ghosts. Hoffman was just 6 years old when she portrayed Costner’s daughter, Karin.

Hoffman shared her fond memories of working with the late Liotta in the movie. She expressed that every day spent with him was her favorite memory. (Liotta passed away in May 2022 at the age of 67.)

She affectionately remembered Ray as a sweetheart and expressed her love for him. Despite feeling like he was in love with her too, she acknowledged that it wasn't the case. Hoffman also mentioned how there were many wonderful men on the set, which was especially meaningful to her since she didn't have a father figure while growing up.

The movie also featured James Earl Jones, Michael Milhoan, Steve Eastin, Charles Hoyes, and Art LaFleur.

"Ray Liotta and all the baseball players, I used to hang out with them, play cards, and throw the ball around," Hoffman added. "I would tease that I had a crush on him, but I think I was more attracted to his fatherly, protective nature. He was such a talented actor as well."

The actress said she “never” saw Liotta again after the movie, however.

While Hoffman seemingly shaded Costner’s fatherly demeanor, the actor is a dad to a large blended family offscreen.

Costner is a father to seven kids. He shares Annie, 40, and Lily, 37, and Joe, 36, with ex-wife Cindy Silva. He and Bridget Rooney have one son, Liam, 26, together. Costner shares his three youngest children — Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 13 — with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner.

Costner even cast the teenage Hayes in his upcoming Horizon: An American Saga, which is set to be released in four parts beginning this summer.

Costner revealed to Entertainment Tonight that he named his son after the character he portrays in the film. The character is named Hayes Ellison, and Costner felt inspired to finally make the movie after watching his son grow up.

Editor's P/S:

Gaby Hoffman's revelation about her experience with Kevin Costner on the set of "Field of Dreams" sheds light on the complexities of on-screen and off-screen relationships. While Costner portrayed Hoffman's father in the film, her perception of him off-camera was vastly different. Hoffman's lack of paternal connection with Costner, despite the paternal energy present on set, raises questions about the nature of acting and the separation between actors and characters.

Hoffman's contrasting experiences with Costner and Ray Liotta highlight the impact of personal interactions on a child actor's development. Liotta's warmth and fatherly nature provided a positive and formative influence on Hoffman, demonstrating the importance of supportive role models in a young person's life. Despite the absence of a paternal figure in her personal life, Hoffman found surrogate father figures in the male cast of "Field of Dreams," underscoring the transformative power of human connections.