Cole Hauser was born in the picturesque city of Santa Barbara, California, to a family with a rich legacy in the film industry. His mother, Cass Warner, is the founder of Warner Sisters, a film production company, while his father, Wings Hauser, is an accomplished actor. Hauser's paternal grandparents were renowned screenwriters Dwight Hauser and Milton Sperling, and his maternal great-grandfather was the influential film mogul Harry M. Warner, co-founder of Warner Bros. His father's ancestry is a blend of German, Irish, and Belgian (Walloon),while his mother's family has Jewish roots tracing back to Austria, Russia, and Poland.
Growing up, Hauser moved around the country, spending time in California, Oregon, and Florida. This diverse upbringing likely had a significant impact on his development as a person and an actor.