Jacob Dutton is the leading man in 1923, protecting the ranch and taking some bullets while doing it – but does he die in the Yellowstone prequel series?
It’s been a tough time for Yellowstone fans. December 2024 saw the end of the flagship series, which killed not one, but four major characters. (Perhaps some deserved it more than others.) With Kevin Costner’s John Dutton being one of them, it proved no character was too big for the axe.
In 1923, Harrison Ford’s Jacob Dutton is the man in charge. The pre-Depression era setting poses problems of a different kind for the Dutton family, but it all boils down to protecting their land and their own.
In his fight for the ranch, Jacob Dutton gives all that he has. Here’s what happens to the patriarch in the Taylor Sheridan spinoff. (Warning: spoilers ahead.)
Does Jacob Dutton die in 1923?
No, Jacob Dutton doesn’t die in 1923, but he’s had some very close brushes with death.
Most notably, Jacob came extremely close to dying in Season 1, Episode 3. After a shootout resulted in Jacob being hit multiple times, many assumed the next episode would reveal his death.
However, Episode 4 came around, and Jacob was (somehow) still alive.
It was a close call and one which no doubt put real stress on Jacob’s health. It took him a long time to recover, with his wife Cara stepping in to run things while he was healing.
In Season 2, the fight between the Duttons and Whitfield escalated, and the season finale involved a big shootout at the Livingston train station between Jacob’s side and Banner’s man. There were a few casualties, but Jacob and co. come out mostly unscathed.
Jacob’s old gunshot wound reopened, but after a brief inspection at the hospital, he was all okay.
Jacob’s fate is unavoidable
Given how the Dutton Ranch has been passed on to Spencer Dutton, it’s inevitable that Jacob will eventually die, either in another fight to defend the property or of old age.
Jacob says he’s 78 years old in the show, and with the younger generation (Spencer) primed to take over the property, there won’t be much need for Jacob any longer.
By the time the next prequel, 1944, rolls around, it’s very likely Jacob will no longer be in the picture.
1923 Season 2 premieres on Paramount+ on February 23. Until then, check out our guides to the best Yellowstone characters and the most shocking deaths. You can also keep tabs on the latest series in the franchise, The Madison.