Ethan Hawke opened up about a major promise he made to his children regarding public discussions of his separation from Uma Thurman, highlighting the emotional challenges of his divorce experience. In a recent interview, Hawke reflected on the “Ethan Hawke divorce vow” he’s kept, aiming to shield his family, especially his kids Maya and Levon, from further scrutiny.
Hawke’s Promise to His Children Amid Divorce
Hawke, 55, emphasized the gravity of his commitment to privacy during his divorce from his former spouse. The actor shared,
“The public eye is like gasoline, but what makes divorce hard is the stuff that makes it hard for everyone — the family elements, how to help the kids through it,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor. He went on to candidly admit,
“I’m so envious of people who have amicable splits,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor.
During his conversation with the Los Angeles Times, Hawke halted himself from delving deeper, explaining,
“I can’t really talk about this because I vowed to my kids so many times not to talk about the divorce in public,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor. He continued with a universal observation,
“But one thing I will say is if you get the privilege of traveling the world, you realize that everywhere men and women have a tremendous amount of difficulty staying married,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor.
Reflections on Fame and Family Ties
The former couple, who were married from 1998 until their divorce in 2005, share daughter Maya, now 27, and son Levon, 23. Hawke has been candid this year about the personal cost of his divorce’s public profile. Discussing media attention, he described the process as,
“It’s almost humiliating even when they’re saying positive things,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor.
Hawke also reflected on why actors often form connections while working together, referencing his own relationship beginnings with Thurman during the filming of “Gattaca.” He shared,
“Have you ever played Spin the Bottle?”
Ethan Hawke, Actor, further elaborating,
“There’s a certain intimacy to the work that we do. Imaginative intimacy,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor.
He continued to explain the risks and emotional highs,
“It’s such a high. It feels dangerous and thrilling. It turns the temperature up in your life. It can be like falling in love at summer camp. It doesn’t have any connection to the dailiness of real life. That’s the danger of it,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor.
Building a New Life and Family
After parting ways with Thurman, Hawke married Ryan Shawhughes in 2008. Initially, he was not interested in expanding his family. Hawke recalled,
“When I split up I was hellbent on not having any more kids and I wanted to be single for the rest of my life,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor. Over time, that changed as he developed a deep bond with Shawhughes:
“But then I made a best friend and I liked kissing her,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor. The two went on to have daughters Clementine Jane, 17, and Indiana, 14.
Fatherhood and Family Dynamics
Hawke took pride in his ongoing relationship with all of his children, noting,
“My kids never need to ask what I think about anything because I never shut up,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor. The Hawke siblings share a close bond, with Maya receiving public attention for supporting her father during his recent achievements, and Levon expressing their friendship as well.
Addressing the Impact of Celebrity and Music
The discussion turned to Hawke’s participation in Taylor Swift’s 2024 music video for “Fortnight.” Although Maya facilitated the connection by sharing her father’s contact with Swift, Hawke clarified the circumstances around the project.
“This is an example of things being not what they seem. Did I do it for my teenage daughters? No. I took them to a Taylor Swift concert for them,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor. He continued with his reason for accepting the role,
“But I did it because Taylor asked and I was flattered that she knew what Dead Poets Society is. But strangely, it’s the one thing that I think my kids wish I hadn’t done,”
Ethan Hawke, Actor.
Offering a glimpse into family dynamics, Hawke explained,
“Because I took Taylor away from them! They had their own relationship with Taylor’s music and now Dad got a Christmas card from her, or whatever. It was, like, ‘Tchuh! What’s Dua Lipa doing now?’ You know?”
Ethan Hawke, Actor.
Looking Forward: Privacy and Family First
Hawke’s comments underscore the emotional complexity and ongoing challenges faced by families in the public eye. By honoring his vow not to discuss his divorce in depth, Hawke seeks to protect his children’s privacy, balancing the pressures that come with fame and personal growth. With continued involvement in the lives of Maya, Levon, Clementine Jane, and Indiana, as well as his ongoing career, Ethan Hawke demonstrates commitment to his family and to the principles that have shaped his choices, both on and off the screen.
