The Yellowstone Actress Found More Than a Part In a New Show—She Founda New Life.
Photography by Ben Christensen
Stylist: Johnetta Boone and Justin Boone
Hair: Owen Gould
Makeup: Tobi Henney
Hassie Harrison is the epitome of a true cowgirl, having been around horses and cattle since before she could even walk. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, she has lived and breathed the Western lifestyle her entire life. From an early age, she developed an affinity for horsemanship, spending weekends grooming and riding horses amid the traditional cowboy culture on her family’s ranch.
Nowadays, you’ll often find her still spending time on horseback, whether she’s practicing roping or delving deeper into her Western and equestrian roots. It’s a passion that started early; at the age of fourteen, Harrison had two Clydesdales named Bud and Harley, along with a buggy she would hitch to them, riding in the back and pretending she was in a Western. Little did that young cowgirl with big dreams know that one day, she’d find herself part of one of the most popular Western series of all time.
Harrison’s connection to nature runs deep, nurtured by years of growing up on and around Texas ranches. Her mother, a guiding force behind her, instilled in her early on the values of the ranching way of life. She taught her that, at the end of the day, it’s really about being a good steward of the land and animals—a way of life that transcends who you are or where you come from.
Harrison now owns her own ranch and is deeply involved in the ranching community in Southern California. She’s often invited to local brandings and relishes the opportunity to participate in activities like sorting and doctoring cattle for branding, viewing it as a beautiful tradition in the way it brings people together.
Her ranching roots span decades, as Harrison comes from a family that has been running cattle in Texas since 1857. She plays an active role in helping run Rosewood Beef, the family business that specializes in F1 cattle—bred by crossing Angus and Wagyu breeds, creating a first-generation hybrid known for its quality. Through it all, Harrison remains dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the legacy of her family’s ranching heritage.
“In many respects, Rosewood Beef has set the standard for optimal beef raising, employing local and sustainable agricultural practices while maintaining a vertically integrated approach,” explains Harrison. “Our dedication to these practices has been cultivated over time, and we take great pride in the results.”
Vertical integration allows Rosewood to streamline its operations by taking direct ownership of various stages of its production process. Originally just a local beef distributor, the company is now nationwide.
After graduating college, Harrison moved from Texas to Los Angeles, where she dedicated several years to pursuing her acting career; a commitment that often meant spending less time with horses than she would have liked. So, when she landed a role in Yellowstone—the acclaimed Western drama series that follows the Dutton ranching family—it presented the perfect opportunity to rekindle her connection and love for the equestrian lifestyle. For Harrison, playing the role of a barrel racer and ranch hand in the wildly popular series was a no-brainer. As Laramie, her character ultimately falls in love with guitar-strumming ex-con Walker, played by Ryan Bingham. Walker, a rancher with a troubled past, is given a second chance by the Dutton family.
“I grew up in Texas around this cowboy culture, so I knew I had an easy way into this character,” she says. “Being part of a modern-day western like this has been a dream come true.”
After she was cast as Laramie, Taylor Sheridan, the creator and writer of the series, discovered just how deep Harrison’s ranching roots were. Upon learning about her involvement with Rosewood Beef, Sheridan mentioned one day to Harrison that he’d love to get his hands on some Wagyu beef. While he assumed she might send over a few Wagyu steaks, Harrison surprised him by instead pulling three Wagyu steers, which their ranch manager delivered directly to Sheridan’s Ranch.
“I think that definitely caught him off guard,” Harrison laughs. “Afterwards, he joked, ‘This may be the first time in history that an actress has ever sent live cattle to their showrunner as a gift.’ But that’s just the way we do things, and I’m proud of my ranching heritage. Now, we even run some of our cattle on the 6666 Ranch, so it’s evolved into a great business relationship that transcends our work together on the show.”
And of course, the young actress and horsewoman also participated in Sheridan’s infamous ‘Cowboy Camp,’ where cast members from his various shows, including “Bass Reeves,” learned how to rope and ride. For Harrison, it was not only a great way to dive back into the Western culture that shaped her, but also a wonderful bonding experience with the other cast members.
“When I attended the camp in Weatherford, Texas, I was fortunate to participate alongside David Oyelowo (star of “Bass Reeves”),” says Harrison. “He is such a gentleman and an incredible artist, so it was inspiring to witness him bring his Bass Reeves character to life. ‘Cowboy Camp’ as a whole was a dream come true. The camps can get pretty heated and competitive at times, so I was thrilled when my team won the first year I attended. It’s a fun mix of sorting, egg races, roping, and relay races.”
“We truly are fortunate to have such talented wranglers and stunt folks who make the show look as authentic and cool as it does,” continues Harrison. “They work so hard and are so dedicated to their craft, yet they don’t always get the recognition they deserve. I have such immense respect for what they do. And Jason Rodriguez, the head stunt guy on Yellowstone, has become a dear friend and my favorite person to get razzed by.”
“I typically wake up and have coffee while feeding all our animals. I love working on my roping and pulling the dummy for Ryan. Then I’ll maybe go for a ride in the mountains, enjoy some good food, and listen to great music. That’s probably my perfect day in a nutshell.”
Being part of four seasons of Yellowstone has been transformative for Harrison in more ways than one. It has opened new doors for her career, introduced her to her now-husband, and fostered friendships that will last a lifetime.
Recently married to Grammy® and Oscar®-winning singer-songwriter and Yellowstone co-star Ryan Bingham, the couple lives together on a ranch in remote Southern California. “Finding someone who shares the same beliefs as I do is incredible,” Harrison explains. “Ryan has deepened my understanding of horsemanship, cattle work, and so much more.”
Among the many friendships she’s made on the show, Harrison and Jen Landon, who plays the pink-haired and feisty Teeter on Yellowstone, have become particularly close. Off-camera, they share plenty of laughs, and on-camera, they’re two of the only women in the bunkhouse surrounded by a crew of male wranglers. “Jen and I hit it off instantly,” says Harrison. “She is whip-smart, incredibly genuine, and always authentically herself. Working with her and getting to know her on a personal level has been an absolute joy and privilege.’”
“Christina Voros is another dear friend I’ve made through my time on the show,” Harrison continues. “She’s genuinely one of the hardest-working and most impressive individuals I’ve ever met, not to mention one of the loveliest people on Earth. Christina is such a boss lady, and I have loved watching her rise from a DP to directing and producing multiple hit shows. Plus, having a real cowgirl like her directing a Western series adds so much authenticity, and she does so in a way that makes you feel incredibly safe as an actor. She’s been such an inspiration to me both personally and professionally.”
When it came working with a stylist for her Cowgirl Magazine photoshoots, Harrison’s first request was that it be styled by Johnnetta Boone and her assistant Justin Boone, the costume designers from Yellowstone. “They’re the real deal,” says Harrison. “Johnetta has been doing costume design on the show since its inception and in many ways has played a crucial role in shaping and influencing how Americana fashion is perceived today. She’s responsible for so many of the iconic looks worn by Kelly Reilly, Kevin Costner, and the rest of the cast. Plus, they’re also just great friends and wonderful people. I couldn’t have imagined this journey with anyone else.”
Harrison is quick to amplify and compliment those around her, but the rising star has built a life over the years equally deserving of recognition. While she wears many hats, from actress to businesswoman, her true focus remains on staying close to the things she loves and values most—family, friends, animals, and of course, horses. At home, she is surrounded by her three horses, including her favorite, Sookie, a buckskin mare she later discovered was born on the 6666 Ranch. Her animal family, most of which are rescues, also includes several mini-horses, goats, chickens, three dogs, bunnies, and a mule named Honey.
“Honey and I have a very special bond,” says Harrison. “Not too long ago, Honey colicked, and we had to take her to the vet for surgery. Afterwards, I spent a lot of time nursing her back to health, changing her bandages and girdle several times a day, and making sure she knew how much she was loved—something she hadn’t experienced much before she came to us. It was amazing to develop such a deep emotional connection with an animal like her, as nothing compares to the appreciation of a rescue. She truly felt the love and care I put into her recovery. Now, she follows me everywhere I go, just like a dog would.”
“Not too long ago, Honey colicked, and we had to take her to the vet for surgery. Afterwards, I spent a lot of time nursing her back to health, changing her bandages and girdle several times a day, and making sure she knew how much she was loved.Now, she follows me everywhere I go”
“We actually try to leave all of our animals turned out as much as possible,” Harrison continues. “I love seeing where they roam around our property. Their little adventures always make me laugh, and you can really see their personalities come out. I truly believe that the more you are around your horses and animals, the more you bond and develop trust with them.”
Harrison goes on to describe what a typical day at the ranch may include.
“On any given day, I typically wake up and have coffee while feeding all our animals,” says Harrison. “After handling work responsibilities and hopefully reading some scripts, it’s time to saddle up. I love working on my roping and pulling the dummy for Ryan. Then I’ll maybe go for a ride in the mountains, enjoy some good food, and listen to great music—all while relishing every second I get to spend being a bonus mom. That’s probably my perfect day in a nutshell.”
Graduating early from high school, Harrison embarked on a college education at an impressive age of fifteen. After completing, Harrison moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career and has since built an impressive resume over her more than a decade in the industry. She first appeared on television screens with the CW hit series Hart of Dixie, alongside Jaimie King, and in ABC’s The Astronaut Wives Club, followed by a series of independent films that allowed her to further hone her craft. Harrison recently completed a four-season run as the female lead in truTV’s cult favorite Tacoma FD, a half-hour comedy that follows a group of firefighters who often tackle the less dangerous aspects of the job. In the series, Harrison played Lucy McConky, the sole female firefighter in the main group and the daughter of Tacoma’s fire chief—a character that quickly became a standout in the show’s talented ensemble.
“Tacoma FD was really the first time I was able to showcase my comedic acting chops, as I love making people laugh,” Harrison explains. “Growing up as the middle child of three awesome sisters, I always joke that humor was my survival tool for connecting with others and navigating that middle-child experience. I am extremely grateful for that show and for the chance it gave me to improve my improv and comedy skills as my character’s role expanded over the four seasons.”
While still working on Tacoma FD, Harrison landed the role of Laramie on Yellowstone thanks to a friend who had a connection to Sheridan and pitched her for the show. Although Sheridan did not have a role for her at the time, that didn’t stop him from developing one. “I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to be a crayon in his coloring box,” she says. “The fact that he wrote a character for me is an even bigger honor.”
Most recently, Harrison landed a starring role alongside Jai Courtney and Josh Heuston in auteur director Sean Byrne’s latest film, Dangerous Animals, currently filming in Australia. In the project, Harrison plays Zephyr,a savvy and free-spirited surfer who finds herself in an intense and gripping story of survival.
Up next, Harrison plans to return to Montana to reprise her role as Laramie. Although it looks like Yellowstone will begin airing its final episodes later this year in November, it’s clear Harrison’s love of horses isn’t going anywhere. In fact, at her wedding to Bingham, the couple asked their guests to donate to non-profit horse organizations they support in lieu of giving gifts. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this talented cowgirl.
COWGIRL Editorial
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hassie Harrison
Yellowstone
