Some in Hollywood Once Found It 'Irritating,' But Ethan Hawke Refuses to Be Typecast
As a young actor, Ethan Hawke's desire for varied roles occasionally caused tension. This fall, his passion for diversity has led to major parts in The Lowdown, Blue Moon, and Black Phone 2.
Ethan Hawke has always been an actor full of surprises. Throughout his prolific career, he has shifted effortlessly from prestige dramas to quirky comedies, to chilling horror films—embracing every role with commitment.
This year brings an unusual blend of projects united by Hawke's versatility. In Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, he uncannily portrays the real-life songwriter Lorenz Hart, a man of many contradictions. On the FX series The Lowdown, created by his friend Sterlin Harjo, Hawke plays Lee Raybon, a reckless journalist. Meanwhile, 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 says, speaking 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.”
What makes this even more remarkable is that Hawke has been preparing to play Lorenz Hart for over a decade, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to challenging and distinctive roles.
Summary
Ethan Hawke’s career, marked by diverse and complex characters, reflects his refusal to be typecast, culminating in a year of some of his most compelling performances yet.