Some in Hollywood Once Found It 'Irritating.' But Ethan Hawke Refuses to Be Typecast
Ethan Hawke has long been an actor who surprises audiences. Throughout his extensive career, he has moved seamlessly from prestigious dramas to quirky comedies and intense horror films, always bringing dedication to each role.
This fall has been especially remarkable for Hawke, with major roles in three distinct projects: The Lowdown, Blue Moon, and Black Phone 2. In Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, he portrays real-life songwriter Lorenz Hart, a complex and contradictory figure. On the FX series The Lowdown, created by Hawke's friend Sterlin Harjo, he plays Lee Raybon, a reckless journalist. In Black Phone 2, he takes on the chilling role of a serial killer haunting children beyond the grave.
“It makes you believe in astrology or something,” Hawke said over Zoom from New York City. “All these disparate parts of my life are being released at the same time. I’ve been so worried about this whole aging process. But the great thing about it is that the roles get a lot more complicated. They get fewer, but the ones you get are complicated and interesting. I feel astonished to have been doing this job for 30 years and have two of the best parts I’ve ever had this year.”
Even more impressive is the fact that Hawke has been planning to play Lorenz Hart for over a decade, showing his long-term commitment to diverse and challenging roles.
Career Highlights
- Role as songwriter Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon
- Role as journalist Lee Raybon in FX's The Lowdown
- Role as a haunting serial killer in Black Phone 2
Reflection on Aging and Roles
Hawke expresses that while fewer roles come with age, the complexity and depth of characters increase, providing rewarding opportunities to explore fascinating parts.
Long-Term Artistic Vision
He reveals that some roles, like portraying Hart, are the result of years of dedication rather than sudden choices.
Author’s summary: Ethan Hawke embraces variety and complexity in his roles, refusing to be typecast, delivering some of his most nuanced performances 30 years into his career.