Ethan Hawke is giving credit score the place it’s due, to none apart from Robert Redford. In a brand new interview, the “Blue Moon” star opened up about how the Hollywood icon not solely championed certainly one of his most beloved movies, “Earlier than Dawn,” but in addition gave him a bit of favor recommendation that also makes him snicker many years later. The Oscar-nominated actor, now 54, mirrored on the early days of his profession, sharing how Redford’s perception in him modified every thing, and why he didn’t take the Sundance founder’s wardrobe suggestion too critically. The change provided followers a uncommon glimpse into the friendship between two generations of actors, one marked by mutual respect, gratitude, and humor.
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Robert Redford Helped Put Ethan Hawke On The Map
Throughout his sit-down with AARP’s “Films for Grownups,” Hawke recalled how Redford was one of many first main Hollywood figures to acknowledge his potential, even when others didn’t. “He was very useful and sort to me once I was youthful,” Hawke shared. “He was the primary actual champion of ‘Earlier than Dawn.’ Lots of people weren’t focused on that film when it first got here out.”
In keeping with Hawke, Redford’s assist was instrumental in getting the movie observed. “He made us the opening evening of the Sundance Movie Competition [1995] and he launched the movie, made it appear to be it was an actual correct film,” Hawke defined, including that the second gave the venture instantaneous legitimacy and helped launch his profession as each an actor and author.
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Hawke Reveals Redford As soon as Warned Him About Sporting Cowboy Hats
Whereas Redford’s mentorship got here with knowledge, it additionally got here with a dose of humor. Hawke revealed that the “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Child” legend as soon as pulled him apart with an sudden bit of favor recommendation. “The final time I noticed Robert Redford, he informed me to cease sporting cowboy hats as a result of folks will suppose I’m dropping my hair,” Hawke mentioned with a smile. “And I assumed that was actually humorous.”
When requested whether or not he adopted Redford’s suggestion, Hawke couldn’t assist however snicker. “No, I didn’t,” he admitted. “Like I mentioned, unasked-for recommendation isn’t listened to.”
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Ethan Hawke Credit Robert Redford For Shaping His Profession
For Hawke, Redford’s influence went far past amusing or a bit of recommendation as a result of it represented the kind of mentorship that each younger artist goals of. Redford’s confidence in “Earlier than Dawn” not solely validated Hawke’s expertise but in addition helped open doorways for future inventive collaborations.
The actor continues to carry deep admiration for Redford’s generosity and management, crediting him as one of the vital influential figures in his inventive journey.
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Hawke Names the Younger Actors Who Encourage Him
Elsewhere within the interview, Hawke turned his consideration towards Hollywood’s future, sharing the rising stars who’ve captured his admiration. Although hesitant to single anybody out, the “Coaching Day” actor named a number of younger abilities he believes are paving the best way ahead.
“I get insecure about saying one particular person,” he started, “however Paul Mescalexcites me, he’s terrific. Jacob Elordi is nice, and John David Washington is phenomenal. There are such a lot of folks.”
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Ethan Hawke On Making ‘Blue Moon’
Because the dialog got here full circle, Hawke mirrored on his newest venture, “Blue Moon,” a movie he describes as one of the vital difficult and rewarding experiences of his profession. The melancholic, dialogue-driven film reunites him as soon as once more with longtime collaborator Richard Linklater, marking one other chapter in certainly one of Hollywood’s most enduring inventive partnerships.
“I’ve labored with Rick since 1994. He’s so great,” Hawke mentioned, noting that the venture was over a decade within the making. “He gave me that script 12 years in the past. And about each different 12 months, we might get collectively and do a studying of it and speak about it and prune it and form it and work on it. And it slowly simply type of grew and grew and grew. After which rapidly he was able to make it.”
When it lastly got here time to shoot, Hawke mentioned the expertise was each exhilarating and draining. “The precise making of it felt like being shot out of a cannon,” he admitted. “We needed to work so quick, and it’s so dialogue-heavy. The character is so multidimensional and unusual and enjoyable and heartbreaking. That’s about essentially the most exhausted I’ve ever been at a wrap social gathering in my life.”
“Blue Moon” is out on October 24, 2025.
