On November 2, Ethan Hawke made his first visit to Miami to accept the Miami Film Festival’s Variety Virtuoso Award and participate in an in-depth conversation with Variety’s co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh. During the discussion, Hawke recounted his extensive career, highlighting collaborations ranging from filmmaker Richard Linklater to pop artist Taylor Swift, as well as sharing details about a notably “scary” screen test he experienced with Denzel Washington. This moment underscored the challenges and intensity behind landing a role opposite one of Hollywood’s leading actors.
Recent Accomplishments Mark a Breakthrough Year for Hawke
This year has been significant for Hawke as he garnered attention for his starring role in Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, which is generating awards buzz. In addition, his portrayal of the Grabber in The Black Phone 2 was a major box office success. Hawke further expanded his portfolio with a starring role in the FX series The Lowdown, directed a documentary about country music legend Merle Haggard, and narrated Apple TV’s Vietnam: The War That Changed America. Together, these projects demonstrate his ongoing versatility and commitment to diverse storytelling.
From Indie Beginnings to Industry Stardom
Hawke hails from the generation of actors who rose through the independent film scene of the 1990s. His first prominent part came alongside Robin Williams in Peter Weir’s 1989 film Dead Poets Society. He began working with Richard Linklater in 1995’s Before Sunrise, which debuted during Sundance’s peak years. Reflecting on that era, Hawke remarked,
Image of: Denzel Washington
“What’s funny about it now is that in the moment, we were wishing it was 1972. We weren’t aware that anything special was happening.”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor
He recalled how filmmakers like Linklater and Quentin Tarantino admired earlier filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese and Sidney Lumet, often expressing a wish to be making movies during landmark years like 1968. Hawke said,
“If only I could be making a movie in ’68, then it would be amazing.”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor
He also referenced Woody Allen’s film Midnight in Paris to highlight the tendency toward nostalgia. Hawke said,
“I know we’re not allowed to mention him, but whatever, Woody Allen has this great movie, ‘Midnight in Paris,’ which is all about how everybody keeps wishing they were living 10 years earlier. I think it’s really true that it’s very difficult for us to live in the moment and accept the moment on its own terms and to see what’s valuable.”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor
Ongoing Collaboration with Richard Linklater
Hawke’s partnership with Richard Linklater has been sustained over nearly three decades, including eight more films after Before Sunrise. This includes the two sequels to the original film released in 2003 and 2013, and Boyhood, which was filmed over 18 years and released in 2014. Their continued work together demonstrates both artistic trust and shared vision, cementing Hawke’s place within cinematic history.
A ‘Scary’ Screen Test: Hawke’s Intense Audition with Denzel Washington
One of the most notable moments Hawke recounted was his audition for the 2001 film Training Day, in which he played an LAPD officer alongside Denzel Washington. He described the screen test as intimidating, saying,
“I came into the screen test and he just didn’t say one scripted line in the entire screen test. He was just improvising with me and it was really difficult to try to keep up with him.”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor
To manage the pressure, Hawke relied on his experience working with Linklater. He explained,
“I was just telling myself, in my head, ‘Why don’t you just pretend Rick’s in the room?’ I’ll try not to be intimidated and I just made up lines like I would with Rick.”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor
This improvisational approach paid off, leading Hawke to land the role and achieve his first Oscar nomination for Training Day. The audition remains a vivid example of how seasoned actors navigate high-pressure situations.
Collaborations with Acclaimed Actors and Emerging Artists
Throughout his career, Hawke has shared screen space and stage with many esteemed performers including Robert De Niro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ben Stiller, and Julia Stiles. Recently, he expanded into music videos, appearing with Taylor Swift in her Fortnight video featuring Post Malone. Hawke credited his daughter Maya Hawke for connecting him with Swift, joking,
“My daughter is creating opportunities in my life. I get a text from my daughter saying ‘Hey dad, Taylor Swift wants your number.’ So I guess they met. And anyway, Taylor Swift is a ‘Dead Poet’s Society’ fan, and so, hell, I’ll take what I can get.”
– Ethan Hawke, Actor
He also worked alongside his Dead Poet’s Society co-star Josh Charles in that project. Of Swift, Hawke said,
“That woman is incredible. She’s a force of nature.”
Looking Forward: Hawke’s Future Focus
Concluding his talk at Miami-Dade College’s Wolfson Auditorium, Hawke responded to audience questions with thoughts about his career trajectory. He expressed a forward-looking mindset, sharing, “I’m so future-centric.” He elaborated,
No sooner do you get something like a prize like this that it crosses your mind, ‘So is this a high watermark? Have I arrived here? Is it good enough?’ It’s cool. I’m happy. But I’m like, ‘What’s next? Can I do something? I like doing this. Can I do it again? Please? Put me in one more game coach.’
– Ethan Hawke, Actor
Hawke’s comments reveal an urgency and desire to continue pushing his creative boundaries, emphasizing how accolades fuel rather than settle his artistic ambition.
