Ethan Hawke Reveals Daughter Connected Him to Taylor Swift, credits Linklater for early Career Composure
MIAMI, FL – Actor Ethan Hawke shared anecdotes about his career, including his recent collaboration with Taylor Swift and formative experiences with Richard Linklater and Denzel Washington, during a recent appearance at Miami-Dade CollegeS Wolfson Auditorium.
Hawke recounted a particularly challenging audition for 2001’s “Training day,” where he starred alongside Denzel Washington. He described Washington’s improvisational approach during the screen test: “I came into the screen test and he just didn’t say one scripted line in the entire screen test. He was just improvising with me and it was realy difficult to try to keep up with him.”
To navigate the intimidating situation, Hawke drew upon his work with director Richard Linklater. “I was just telling myself, in my head, ‘Why don’t you just pretend Rick’s in the room?'” he explained. “I’ll try not to be intimidated and I just made up lines like I would with Rick.” The strategy proved accomplished,landing Hawke the role and his first Oscar nomination.
more recently, Hawke appeared in Taylor Swift’s ”Fortnight” music video featuring Post Malone, a connection facilitated by his daughter, Maya Hawke. “My daughter is creating opportunities in my life,” Hawke said. “I got a text from my daughter saying ‘Hey dad, Taylor Swift wants your number.’ So I guess they met.” He noted Swift’s appreciation for “Dead Poets Society,” adding, “I’ll take what I can get.”
Hawke also reunited with “Dead Poets Society” co-star Josh Charles on the project, praising Swift’s directorial skills. “That woman is incredible,” he stated. “To watch her empower herself to direct these videos and take it all on the chin and be willing to stand out front, it is indeed not easy.” He further compared attending Swift’s Eras tour to witnessing the Beatles at the height of their fame, observing its cultural impact: “Not only is she changing the economy of the world, she has people coming together in a room…caring about poetry, caring about ideas, caring about expression.”
Concluding the event,Hawke reflected on his career trajectory,admitting a focus on future projects. “I’m so future-centric,” he said. “No sooner do you get something like a prize…that it crosses your mind, ‘What’s next? Can I do something? I like doing this. Can I do it again?'”
