John Dutton is a fictional character from the television series Yellowstone, created by Taylor Sheridan. He is portrayed by actor Kevin Costner and serves as the patriarch of the Dutton family, who own the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The series follows his struggles to protect his land and family from various threats, including developers, rival ranchers, and government officials. As a character, John Dutton is depicted as a strong, determined leader with a deep connection to his land and heritage. He often faces moral dilemmas and challenges that test his values and relationships with his family, particularly his children, who each have their own ambitions and conflicts.