Twenty years after officially ending their marriage, Ethan Hawke has opened up about the breakup with Uma Thurman, discussing the emotional aftermath and the pressures of public scrutiny. The actor, known for his role in Before Sunrise, addressed the intense speculation surrounding their split, especially amid reports of his infidelity, sharing his perspective on how the experience shaped his life.
Hawke revealed to GQ in an interview published on September 1 that dealing with the breakup was deeply painful.
“It’s almost humiliating even when they’re saying positive things,”
he admitted, highlighting the discomfort of having such personal moments played out in public.
Looking Back on Their Relationship and Its Unique Intimacy
Remembering his time with Thurman, whom he met on the set of the 1997 film Gattaca and married in 1998, Hawke likened the experience to
“falling in love at summer camp.”
He explained the intense creative connection actors share, comparing it to a game of Spin the Bottle.
“There’s a certain intimacy to the work that we do. Imaginative intimacy. It’s such a high. It feels dangerous and thrilling. It turns the temperature up in your life,”
he said.
He also pointed out the challenge of balancing this imaginative closeness with everyday reality, reflecting,
“It doesn’t have any connection to the dailiness of real life. That’s the danger of it.”
The Personal Toll During Their Separation and Aftermath
Ethan and Uma’s marriage lasted five years, and Hawke has shared previously that the separation, which began in 2003, was a particularly difficult time. This was shortly after he received an Oscar nomination for Training Day.
“It was the best moment of my career,”
he recalled in a 2018 GQ interview,
“Like, ‘Maybe, maybe, you could be commercially viable.’ But I got divorced and my personal life fell apart.”
He described the depression he faced during this period, which altered his view of celebrity and authenticity.
“When you’re depressed, it’s really easy to see everything that is fake about other people and life,”
he said.
“I just started seeing all that. How phony celebrity was, how phony everything is.”
Uma Thurman‘s Response to Their Divorce and Media Attention
Uma Thurman, now 55, took a different approach following their divorce. She prioritized maintaining peace and focused on their children rather than expressing resentment. Thurman told Parade in 2006,
“I cannot participate in anything critical about my children’s father. I just need to keep peace. I think it’s fair to say that I haven’t said one mean thing, and I’m not going to start now. It’s terrible for my family.”
She also grew weary of relentless media coverage at the time, adding,
“If I see one more headline about it, I’ll gag. I’m just another American woman who was in an unfulfilled marriage that fell apart.”
Moreover, she emphasized the importance of forgiveness in moving on, saying,
“You need to want to be forgiving.”
Other Celebrity Couples Navigating Breakups with Civility
While Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman’s story is marked by intensity and complexity, many high-profile Hollywood exes have managed to maintain amicable relationships after their splits. These examples reveal varied approaches to co-parenting, public perception, and personal healing.
The Dynamic of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt Post-Divorce
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, despite their historic breakup, interact amicably at events like birthday parties and public gatherings. Though they have strongly indicated they will not reunite, their warm exchanges and joint appearances fuel continued speculation and fascination among fans.
Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel’s Lighthearted Friendship
Comedienne Sarah Silverman demonstrated ease and humor visiting ex-boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show, joking about adjustments in his personal life. She playfully remarked,
“She gets, like, new woke Jimmy. I had Man Show Jimmy,”
referencing the changes in Kimmel’s demeanor after marriage to Molly Kimmel.
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris: Supportive Exes
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris’s relationship remains anchored in mutual respect, especially concerning their son Jack. After Pratt’s marriage to Katherine Schwarzenegger in 2019, Faris not only offered to officiate the ceremony but also sent gifts celebrating the couple’s growing family, illustrating a supportive dynamic between former partners.
HGTV Stars Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall’s Continued Collaboration
Despite a challenging split, Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall have successfully managed their co-parenting duties and professional ventures. More than four years post-divorce, they continue to work together on real estate projects and prioritize raising their children Taylor and Brayden harmoniously.
Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz’s Enduring Friendship
Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz, parents to actress Zoe Kravitz, describe their post-marriage relationship as a form of chosen family. Lenny Kravitz called their bond “beautiful,” highlighting that such a positive connection is possible after separation, even as Bonet has since moved on to marry Jason Momoa.
Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich Embracing New Chapters
Since ending their marriage in 2020, Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich have maintained a respectful and friendly relationship. When Brooks announced his engagement to Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir in late 2024, Hough publicly expressed happiness, writing,
“I’m so happy for you both as you step into this beautiful new chapter together. Wishing you both a lifetime of love, laughter, and endless adventures.”
Later, the trio spent time together on a lake, with Hough captioning a photo,
“Special day on the lake with these three cuties.”
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s Cooperative Co-Parenting
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner exemplify conscious uncoupling by frequently taking joint vacations and sharing holidays after their 2015 split. Affleck has spoken highly of Garner, calling her “an amazing mother,” reflecting the ongoing respect between the former couple, who co-parent their children Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel.
Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder’s Continued Friendship
After ending their relationship in 2013, actors Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder became close friends. When Somerhalder married Nikki Reed in 2014, Dobrev embraced this connection by befriending Reed, illustrating mutual respect extending beyond their romantic history.
Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney’s Lasting Bond
Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney parted ways in 2016 after five years together, but the singer emphasized their enduring closeness. She told SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show,
“He’s been my lover and a friend for so long. We love each other. That’s it,”
demonstrating their complex and affectionate connection despite their breakup.
Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak’s Family-Like Relationship
Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak maintained a unique closeness after their on-and-off romance ended, with Kaling describing Novak as
“so much more like family now than a platonic friend.”
She shared this in a 2019 Good Housekeeping interview, explaining why their relationship continues to intrigue fans.
Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz Prioritizing Their Son’s Well-being
The former couple successfully co-parents their son Bronx following their 2011 divorce. Wentz has praised Simpson, calling her “an awesome mom,” indicating their focus remains on providing a supportive environment for their child despite their separation.
Miley Cyrus and Nick Jonas’ Friendly Terms
Despite ending their relationship years ago, Miley Cyrus and Nick Jonas remain on good terms. Jonas described their connection as “really friendly,” remarking, “We’ve got a good relationship,” highlighting the peaceful nature of their past romance’s aftermath.
Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter’s Respectful Separation
The Dexter stars divorced in 2011 but have maintained affection and mutual respect. Carpenter reassured that their relationship remains grounded in positivity, emphasizing the love and regard they continue to share years after parting ways.
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s Exemplary Co-Parenting
Widely regarded as a gold standard for amicable exes, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore parent their daughters Rumer, Tallulah, and Scout cooperatively. Their decision to spend coronavirus quarantine together in Idaho demonstrated their commitment to family stability and mutual support.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s Continued Respect
Four years after their 2014 divorce, Jennifer Lopez commended Marc Anthony for his encouragement during their marriage. She shared on a 2018 episode of Sunday Today,
“While I was married to Marc, he really helped me with my confidence and he saw where I suffered. He was like, ‘You’re a great singer. Don’t ever let anybody tell you you’re not a great singer.’ And I respected him so much ’cause I consider him one of the best singers of all time.”
Courteney Cox and David Arquette’s Cooperative Parenting Arrangement
Despite their 2010 divorce, Courteney Cox has characterized her split from David Arquette as one of the better examples of separation. On Running Wild With Bear Grylls, she affirmed, “We’re good co-parents together,” noting their shared focus on raising their daughter Coco in a positive atmosphere.
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake’s Post-Romance Collaboration
Although their real-life romance ended in 2007, Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake reunited professionally in the 2011 film Bad Teacher, demonstrating their ability to maintain professional rapport following their breakup.
Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth’s Evolved Relationship
Following their 2013 split, Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth navigated early challenges but now share group vacations and amicability. Facinelli expressed in a 2017 interview his appreciation for Garth’s husband and reflected,
“People come into your life for a reason and relationships can change. Just because we aren’t living together doesn’t mean you can’t love each other.”
Will Arnett and Amy Poehler’s Supportive Friendship
After their unexpected separation in 2012, Will Arnett and Amy Poehler cultivated a close friendship, putting their children‘s well-being first. Poehler shared in a 2014 interview with Howard Stern, “Will and I are very, very good friends. We are doing a really good job. I don’t think a 10-year marriage constitutes a failure. I think relationships are
