Ever wonder who's really running the show behind the scenes of your favorite series? It turns out, on Yellowstone, some of the most valuable players weren't just in front of the camera! Forrie J. Smith, a real-life cowboy, lent his expertise to design the bunkhouse scenes, impressing creator Taylor Sheridan so much that he expanded those moments in the show. But that's not the only surprise...
And this is the part most people miss: Gabriel "Gator" Guilbeau, the head of craft services, was actually the Dutton family's chef!
Guilbeau's primary role wasn't about acting; it was about fueling the cast and crew. Imagine waking up at 3 a.m. to cook in the middle of nowhere! As he shared with The Pioneer Woman in 2023, "It makes a difference to people to have food that's hot, homemade, and delicious when they're working 16-plus hours. My team will hightail it up a mountain in ATVs and set up tables in the woods in the middle of nowhere. Filming isn't as glamorous as you'd think."
He built a connection with the main cast, including Kevin Costner, who loved his apple pie. However, Costner wasn't a fan of grilled octopus – a reaction that even made it into season 2!
But here's where it gets controversial... How did Guilbeau land a role on the show?
It all started with Guilbeau being himself. After a long day of cooking, he showed up on set, apron greasy and face smudged with ash. The wardrobe department saw perfection! Sheridan told him, "Okay, go do some Gator stuff." Guilbeau began chopping onions and potatoes for a stew, and Sheridan loved it.
Guilbeau even returned to feed the cast on the Yellowstone spin-off 1883. With more spin-offs on the horizon, there's a good chance we'll see more of this talented cook, whether as a chef, actor, or both.
What do you think? Do you appreciate the behind-the-scenes heroes like Gator? Do you think it's a great idea to cast real-life experts in shows like Yellowstone? Let me know in the comments!
