Some in Hollywood Once Found It 'Irritating,' but Ethan Hawke Refuses to Be Typecast
As a young actor, Ethan Hawke's drive for diverse roles often caused tension. This fall, his commitment to variety has led to major parts in The Lowdown, Blue Moon, and Black Phone 2.
Throughout his dynamic career, Hawke has moved fluidly from prestige drama to quirky comedy and even full-on horror, embracing each role with equal passion.
A Uncommon Year of Roles
This year marks a striking convergence of Hawke's varied characters:
- In Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, he portrays songwriter Lorenz Hart, a man full of contradictions.
- 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 is a serial killer who haunts children from beyond the grave.
“It makes you believe in astrology or something,” Hawke said in a Zoom interview 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 remarkable is that Hawke has been planning to play Lorenz Hart for over ten years.
Author’s Summary
Ethan Hawke’s refusal to be typecast has led to a rare combination of complex roles this year, highlighting his evolving and versatile career after 30 years in the industry.