At 55 years old, Ethan Hawke has accumulated more than forty years in the entertainment industry and appeared in nearly 90 films. Now, for the first time in his career, he has been nominated for the Best Actor Oscar at the 2026 Academy Awards for his portrayal of legendary Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon. Hawke dedicated nearly a decade preparing for this role, investing an extraordinary amount of time and passion into bringing Hart to life.
Despite his long career, Hawke’s enthusiasm for acting remains palpable, radiating the same wonder and inquisitiveness often found in actors just beginning their journey. This genuine love for his work shines through his interview, revealing the deep connection he formed with his character Lorenz Hart and the gratitude he feels for being able to pursue this craft for so many years.
Immersing in the Role: A Decade of Preparation
Hawke explained the intense process of embodying the character of Lorenz Hart, a man he never met but came to know intimately through research and performance. He compared the emotional experience of saying goodbye to the role with the bittersweet feeling of leaving summer camp as a child — an unforgettable time shared with close friends and mentors, yet one that no one else can fully understand.
“That’s the thing nobody talks about. We spend all this time trying to figure out: who is the character? What is he thinking? What’s his watch look like? How does he do his hair? You read books, you look at the lyrics. For Lorenz Hart, a lot of who he is, is in his lyrics. And then how to say goodbye is really difficult, because it becomes… the most relatable example would be like when you were a kid and you go to summer camp and you have these unbelievable experiences – you make great friends, you have counselors who really care about you – and then you go home and there’s no one who knows what happened. You feel changed, but nobody else knows.”
– Ethan Hawke
For the role in Blue Moon, Hawke underwent a striking physical transformation, shaving the top of his head completely to achieve Hart’s trademark comb-over hairstyle. He recalled looking “ridiculous” during filming and jokingly compared his post-wrap look to that of actor Telly Savalas. Soon after wrapping up production in Ireland, Hawke took a solitary six-hour walk on the beach, using the time to emotionally process and make peace with saying goodbye to the character.
The Weight and Rarity of a Distinguished Role
Knowing this project was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Hawke pushed himself further than ever before and recognized that despite striving for perfection, full satisfaction is often elusive for actors. Sitting at the ocean in Dublin, he reflected with acceptance on his efforts.
“I knew it. I’d never been asked to work so hard before, and I knew it was a great opportunity. You also know that you can never do as well as you want to, but I sat there at the ocean in Dublin saying goodbye thinking: I did my best. I didn’t do it as well as I wanted to, but I did the best I could on every given day. I felt good about it. I said goodbye to it, put on my little hoodie, and caught the plane home.”
– Ethan Hawke
A Milestone After More Than Four Decades
Hawke’s first Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category arrives after a career spanning over 40 years. He acknowledged the significance of this moment with gratitude and humility, emphasizing the importance of being seen and appreciated for his work.
“You don’t make a movie or go on stage or make anything just to send it into the void unnoticed. This has never happened before for me, so I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel really good. But mostly what feels amazing is the look on your face when you’re talking about the movie. Or, I was flying to London and there were people at baggage claim who had watched it on the plane. They had tears in their eyes. That feels really good, because a lot of times you work really hard on a movie and nobody sees it. Or you don’t work that hard and everybody sees it, and you get credit you didn’t deserve. I made this movie with one of my best friends. We believed in the script. To sit there at baggage claim and listen to strangers love the writing, I just thought, ‘I know, that’s exactly how we felt.’”
– Ethan Hawke
Balancing Heartbreak and Wit in ‘Blue Moon’
Though the story of Lorenz Hart carries its share of sorrow, Hawke emphasizes the humor and cleverness embedded in the script and the original Rodgers and Hart songbook. The film captures not only the sadness and weighty themes but also the playful silliness that defines much of Hart’s work.
“It’s in a way a heartbreaking story, but it’s told with so much wit. If you listen to the Rodgers and Hart songbook, there’s so much wit in it. There’s sadness, there are big subjects and deep feelings, but it’s always told with a little bit of silliness. That’s what Rick and I really wanted with the movie.”
– Ethan Hawke
The Pride of Representing New York’s Legacy
Blue Moon is a story deeply rooted in New York City’s cultural fabric, framed around the iconic Broadway institution Sardi’s. Hawke, a native New Yorker, expressed a strong sense of pride in portraying a tale that celebrates the city and its legendary artists.
“It feels so good. I grew up idolizing those people on that wall at Sardi’s, wanting to touch the legends of Broadway. It’s a mysterious little club – people who have achieved a level of excellence at their chosen craft. The characters in this movie exist all over the world, but most of them gravitate to New York. They end up coming to Broadway. Getting to make a movie that celebrates New York this way is awesome.”
– Ethan Hawke
Reflecting on Formative Early Career Experiences
When asked about revisiting a significant professional moment from his past, Hawke fondly recalled the early days of a theater company he co-founded with friends in his twenties. The small-scale, grassroots efforts and tireless energy during that period provided the foundation for his approach to work and collaboration throughout his career.
“When I was in my early 20s, a bunch of friends and I started a theater company. It was $10 a ticket. We were hustling to hand out flyers. We were doing our friends’ plays. It was impossible to cast anyone over 30, because we didn’t have anyone over 30 in the company. We built the sets, rented U-Hauls, struck the sets, did readings at midnight. In hindsight, I realize those years are what formed me – the way I think, the way I approach rehearsal, the way I approach what we do for a living. I’d love to revisit a handful of those evenings and see those people again.”
– Ethan Hawke
Memories from Landmark Films and Collaborators
Hawke recounted nervousness and inspiration from working with Robin Williams on Dead Poets Society, a role that left a lifelong impression with its celebrated rehearsal process and emotional impact on audiences. He also looked back on the overwhelming applause he and co-star Robert Sean Leonard received after the film’s release.
“The first time we rehearsed with Robin Williams, I was so nervous. He was such a genius. We were all 17, 18 years old, really learning how to rehearse. Norman Lloyd played the headmaster – he had been in Orson Welles’ Mercury Theatre Company. He kept telling us, ‘You don’t know that you’ll be thinking about today the rest of your life.’ I remember thinking, funny old guy. And I have thought about it my whole life.
And then I remember one time Robert Sean Leonard and I went to dinner in New York right when the movie came out. A whole group of people in the restaurant got up and stood on their tables and said, ‘O Captain, My Captain.’ And then the whole place burst into applause. Bobby and I were just gobsmacked.” – Ethan Hawke
On the subject of his experience filming Training Day, Hawke singled out Denzel Washington’s extraordinary talent, recalling the intensity and learning he gained working closely with both Washington and director Antoine Fuqua.
“Denzel! One of the greatest actors in the history of the profession. To get to ride shotgun with him, run lines with him, watch him work, and try not to let him down. Antoine Fuqua directing, driving through L.A., it was so intense. I was 30 years old and I knew this does not happen often. I’m working with one of the best, and I’ve got a great part and a great director. That was one of the best work experiences of my life.”
– Ethan Hawke
He also reminisced about filming Explorers, highlighting the youthful camaraderie shared with River Phoenix as they experimented with cigarettes and bonded over their admiration for James Dean.
“I really think about River. That’s what stayed with me. He and I snuck into a diner with a big thing of quarters and tried to buy a pack of Camel cigarettes. We were both obsessed with James Dean – we were convinced James Dean smoked – but neither one of us had ever smoked before. We went out to a football field and smoked our first cigarette together. That’s the kind of thing I remember.”
– Ethan Hawke
Strong Bonds Forged During ‘Blue Moon’ Production
Hawke reflected on the daily collaborations with his co-stars, especially Bobby Cannavale, whose encouragement helped him overcome moments of self-doubt during filming. The shared commitment of the ensemble elevated performances and created lasting bonds.
“What popped into my head was my friendship with Bobby Cannavale. He ran lines with me every day. It was so much work and I would have low moments, and he would always look at me and say, ‘You got this, bro. You got this. Not for nothing, I think you could do a little better.’ You know, that’s Bobby. His unwavering support and belief in me meant everything. And when I think about the actual performing of it, I think about making eye contact with the other actors – Andrew Scott, Margaret Qualley, Bobby – all of them were really pulling me along every day. I’ll always remember their faces.”
– Ethan Hawke
Imagining a Conversation with Lorenz Hart
When asked what he would say to Lorenz Hart if they could share a moment, Hawke expressed a desire mostly to listen and appreciate Hart’s sharp wit and humor. He imagined Hart might be thrilled to still be spoken about decades after his time and touched by the enduring legacy of songs like “My Funny Valentine.”
“Mostly I’d want to listen, because he’s so funny. He’s one of the great wits of all time. So mostly I want to ask him: what was opening night of Pal Joey like? And let him rip. What I’d want to say is: thank you, and forgive me for anything I got wrong. I think he would be thrilled that we’re just talking about him at all. He loved what he did so much, loved his poetry so much. I think he would be so happy that My Funny Valentine still lives in the consciousness. A couple words that cheated death.”
– Ethan Hawke
Embracing the Present Amid Career and Family Success
Hawke acknowledged the fullness of this phase in his life, striving to remain grounded while experiencing this career milestone and balancing his personal life. His focus remains on savoring the moment amid the whirlwind of recognition and opportunity.
“Trying to. Trying to stay present and enjoy all of this.”
– Ethan Hawke
With his heartfelt dedication to the craft now recognized by the Academy, Ethan Hawke stands at a pivotal point in his career. His Oscar nomination for Blue Moon not only honors his meticulous work on the role of Lorenz Hart but also highlights the enduring power of storytelling and artistic collaboration. As the Oscars approach, audiences and fellow artists alike await the recognition of a performance built on years of devotion, deep research, and authentic emotion, signaling what may be new creative peaks ahead in Hawke’s journey.
