Some in Hollywood Once Found It 'Irritating,' But Ethan Hawke Refuses to Be Typecast
As a young actor, Ethan Hawke's eagerness to take on diverse roles sometimes created tension. This fall, his passion for variety has brought him major parts in The Lowdown, Blue Moon, and Black Phone 2.
A Versatile Career Full of Surprises
Throughout his prolific career, Hawke has seamlessly moved between prestige drama, quirky comedy, and intense horror, devoting himself fully to each role. This year marks a unique convergence of his projects.
Key Roles in 2025
- In Richard Linklater's Blue Moon, Hawke portrays real-life songwriter Lorenz Hart, a complex figure, with uncanny authenticity.
- 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 appears as a serial killer who haunts children from beyond the grave.
“It makes you believe in astrology or something,” Hawke says 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.”
Remarkably, Hawke has been preparing to portray Lorenz Hart for more than ten years.
Author's summary: Ethan Hawke embraces diverse and challenging roles across genres, finding his most complex characters as his 30-year acting career matures.