Taylor Sheridan doesn’t seem to judge success by awards or money. For him, having the freedom to make the stories he wants—and the people and skill to bring them to life—matters more.
Sheridan has become one of the most influential figures in entertainment. The “Yellowstone” universe is his best-known work, but his projects reach well beyond that, across film and television. His upcoming agreement with NBCUniversal has reportedly been valued at more than $1 billion.
Asked about fame and success at Yahoo Finance’s 2026 Invest conference, Sheridan said the answer depends on how someone defines success. If it means money, fame and awards, he said, he has seen enough of those measures to know they don’t mean much to him. He would give up fame, he added, and there’s only so much money can buy unless you’re looking to purchase something like a sports team or a very large ranch.
“Success is autonomy to create what you want, and the ability to execute it,” Sheridan said. Viewers might not like his storytelling, he acknowledged, but he believes his team delivers the work effectively. He also praised the crew behind his productions.
It’s a perspective that feels consistent with the way Sheridan works. Critics and awards have their place, perhaps, but the response from audiences is harder to ignore. “Landman,” “Dutton Ranch,” “Lioness” and several of his other series have become familiar names in television.
Whatever the awards say, plenty of viewers have made up their minds about Sheridan’s shows. That may be the measure of success he cares about most.
