How Kevin Costner keeps those cowboyish good looks! Star, 69, says he's 'never felt the need' for plastic surgery and credits his physique to running around after his kids - after welcoming 3 of his 7 children in his 50s

Kevin Costner looked youthful and dapper as he appeared on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival yesterday.

The 69-year-old Hollywood heavyweight - who is known for his roles in productions including Dances With Wolves (1990) and JFK (1991) was at the star-studded event to promote his epic four-part Western drama Horizon: An American Saga.

And the former 80s matinee idol, who both stars in and directs the saga, showed he has barely aged since his heyday, showcasing youthful looks, a full head of hair, trim physique and a Hollywood tan. He also showed off his full moustache.

Kevin looked stylish at the event, wearing a traditional black tuxedo, as he posed for photos alone as well as with his 15-year-old son Hayes Costner.

Perhaps one of the secrets to the actor's youthful looks is, conversely, his laidback approach to ageing - as well as being a father to seven children (three of whom were born when he was in his fifties).

Kevin Costner (pictured her in the 1991 movie JFK) has barely changed over the last three decades and still looks youthful now, at 69-years-old

The actor is pictured while taking to the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival yesterday, for the premier of his movie Horizon: An American Saga'

Sharing a photo on his 68th birthday on Instagram, he captioned it: 'Don’t believe what they say about getting older. Each passing year is a gift, and it gets better and better with time. Thank you for the birthday wishes.'

Writing on the platform again on his 69th birthday, he once more shared his laidback attitude towards getting older.

Kevin wrote: 'Celebrating another year of life today and taking a moment to honor this kid who had big dreams. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come.

'Thank you all for the birthday wishes. It’s because of your support that I’ve been able to chase my dreams all these years.'

When it comes to how he maintains his youthful physique, he has previously shared his workout regime, telling the Chicago Suntimes how he prepared for his role in Paramount Pictures' Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit around a decade ago, saying it was all down to his children (of whom he now has seven).

According to the now-69-year-old (who was 58 at the time): 'How did I get in shape for a movie that requires me to run around the USSR ducking and evading the bad guys?'

'Remember those kids I just told you about? Forget hand weights. Just lift up my kids about a million times a day. Then go running after them when they take off in about a zillion different directions.'

His fitness levels were well-established in childhood, as he told the Guardian in 2007, which appears to have served him well as he has grown older.

The actor is pictured on the red carpet at Cannes with five of his seven children (pictured L-R: Cayden Wyatt Costner; Lily Costner; Grace Avery Costner; Kevin Costner; Hayes Costner and Annie Costner)

YOUTHFUL: The Hollywood heavyweight shows off his relaxed side, hugging his pooch in a photo he shared on Instagram

THEN: Pictured on his wedding day to ex-wife Christine Baumgartner in 1994, the actor barely looks different than he does these days 

According to Kevin: 'I started playing in the streets when I was growing up in Compton, California. I began playing the traditional American sports - basketball, baseball and American football - and found I liked basketball best. 

'My parents did not have enough money to spend on other games, such as tennis or golf. They cost $4 a day to play. But they wanted to give me a rounded sporting education. 

'I would stay out late playing basketball until the street lights came on and my father came looking for me.' 

When it comes to his impressive locks, some outlets, including Buzzfeed, claim the actor has had a hair transplant. 

According to Crown Clinic, which carries out the procedure: 'His hair had been thinning noticeably at the front of his hairline and he was ageing noticeably. But look at how his appearance has changed in the last few years. 

'Oscar winner Costner looks years younger and the front of his hairline has been almost completely replenished. The most likely conclusion is that the star has benefitted from at least one hair transplant.

'To get that fresh covering of hair, he may well have had multiple procedures. He is to be congratulated on his choice of surgeon because his new hair hair looks great. It has a nice natural look and he has restyled it in an attractive way.'

However, Kevin Costner himself does not appear to have spoken about the rumours one way or another, and in fact, has previously said he hasn't gone under the knife.

Back in 2003, he told USA Today: 'In this life you never say never but I never felt the need for plastic surgery.

'People have certain feelings and mine don’t run in how I look. I have my own demons, but they're not that.'   

According to Kevin Costner, speaking several years ago, running after and picking up his children has kept him in good shape

Some have speculated that the actor may have had a hair transplant, as they believe he is sporting a thicker head of locks these days (right) compared to earlier (left) though it does not appear that he has ever confirmed it and has previously said he doesn't feel the need for plastic surgery

Kevin Costner (pictured, left) is snapped with his son Hayes Costner (pictured, right) who is also an actor

Kevin's movie, Horizon: An American Saga, has had a strong reception at Cannes: following its premiere, it received a rousing 10-minute standing ovation from the audience, suggesting it could be another big hit for the actor, writer and producer. 

Being that he self-financed the passion project, this was a special and emotional moment for Kevin, who got teary-eyed during the long applause moments after the credits fell. 

Addressing the enthusiastic Cannes crowd, he revealed how he will 'never forget' this experience.

'I'm sorry you had to clap that long for me to understand that I should speak,' he joked, as reported by People, before adding, 'Such good people. Such a good moment, not just for me, but for the actors who came with me, for the people who believed in me, who continued to work.'

Still visibly moved, at one point, Kevin began blowing kisses towards people who were all still standing and cheering with appreciation.

He said: 'It's a funny business, and I'm so glad I found it. There's no place like here.'

The moments were no doubt made extra special by having five of his seven children by his side at the festival and screening.

In fact, he not only posed for the cameras with some of the cast and crew of Horizon during the red carpet portion of the event, but also with five of his children: Annie, 40, Cayden, 17, Grace, 13, Lily, 37, and Hayes, 15, who has a small role in film.

They all sat next to their father during the premiere screening.

As well as Kevin Costner, the movie's star-studded ensemble cast also features Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Giovanni Ribisi, Ella Hunt, Danny Huston, Tom Payne, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Will Patton, Douglas Smith, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Michael Anganaro, Jeff Fahey, Tom Everett and Thomas Haden Church.

His film Horizon: An American Saga features an ensemble cast (pictured L-R: lejandro Edda, Hayes Costner, Jena Malone, Georgia MacPhail, Sienna Miller, Kevin Costner, Ella Hunt, Wasa Chief, Abbey Lee Kershaw and Isabelle Fuhrman at Cannes)

The star (pictured, centre) appeared emotional after the screening and the 10-minute standing ovation

The cast is rounded out by the likes of Tatanka Means, Tim Guinee, Colin Cunningham, Scott Haze, Georgia MacPhail, Alejandro Edda, Wasé Winyan Chief, Angus Macfadyen, Jon Beavers, Alex Nibley, Kathleen Quinlan, Etienne Kellici, Amos Jason Charging Cloud, Bodhi Okuma Linton, Gregory Cruz, James Russo, David O’Hara, Chris Conner, Leroy M. Silva, Bernardo Velasco and Glynn Turman.

'I made this. It's not mine anymore. It's yours. I knew that the minute this was over and that's what it should be,' Costner told the audience. 'I think movies aren't about their opening weekends. They're about their life and about how many times you're willing to share it.' 

After sharing how he feels 'lucky' and 'blessed' to be able to receive such accolades for work he's so passionate about, the filmmaker was overcome with gratitude.

'There was no reason that this was gonna happen, and it's just another miracle in my life,' he said, while becoming choked up. 'Thank you so much for giving me your precious time. I hope that this time was worth it for you. Thank you.'

The film marks his fourth directorial outing, following Dances With Wolves (1990), The Postman (1990) and Open Range (2003).