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 one among his most beloved movies, “Earlier than Dawn,” but in addition gave him a bit of fashion recommendation that also makes him snort a long time 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 severely. 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 “Movies 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 excited about that film when it first got here out.”
In line with Hawke, Redford’s assist was instrumental in getting the movie seen. “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 mission 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 Carrying 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 fashion recommendation. “The final time I noticed Robert Redford, he advised me to cease sporting cowboy hats as a result of individuals will assume I’m shedding my hair,” Hawke stated 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 snort. “No, I didn’t,” he admitted. “Like I stated, unasked-for recommendation is rarely listened to.”
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Ethan Hawke Credit Robert Redford For Shaping His Profession
For Hawke, Redford’s impression went far past fun 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 artistic collaborations.
The actor continues to carry deep admiration for Redford’s generosity and management, crediting him as one of the crucial 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 skills he believes are paving the best way ahead.
“I get insecure about saying one individual,” 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 individuals.”
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Ethan Hawke On Making ‘Blue Moon’
Because the dialog got here full circle, Hawke mirrored on his newest mission, “Blue Moon,” a movie he describes as one of the crucial 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 one among Hollywood’s most enduring artistic partnerships.
“I’ve labored with Rick since 1994. He’s so great,” Hawke stated, noting that the mission was over a decade within the making. “He gave me that script 12 years in the past. And about each different yr, 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 abruptly he was able to make it.”
When it lastly got here time to shoot, Hawke stated 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 probably the most exhausted I’ve ever been at a wrap celebration in my life.”
“Blue Moon” is out on October 24, 2025.
