Ethan Hawke is giving credit where it’s due, to none aside from Robert Redford. In a brand new interview, the “Blue Moon” star opened up about how the Hollywood icon not only championed certainly one of his most beloved movies, “Before Sunrise,” but in addition gave him a bit of fashion advice that also makes him laugh a long time later. The Oscar-nominated actor, now 54, reflected on the early days of his profession, sharing how Redford’s belief in him modified all the pieces, and why he didn’t take the Sundance founder’s wardrobe suggestion too seriously. The exchange offered fans a rare 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
During his sit-down with AARP’s “Movies for Grownups,” Hawke recalled how Redford was certainly one of the primary major Hollywood figures to acknowledge his potential, even when others didn’t. “He was very helpful and type to me after I was younger,” Hawke shared. “He was the primary real champion of ‘Before Sunrise.’ Loads of people weren’t eager about that movie when it first got here out.”
Based on Hawke, Redford’s support was instrumental in getting the film noticed. “He made us the opening night of the Sundance Film Festival [1995] and he introduced the film, made it seem to be it was an actual proper movie,” Hawke explained, adding that the moment gave the project quick legitimacy and helped launch his profession as each an actor and author.
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Hawke Reveals Redford Once Warned Him About Wearing Cowboy Hats
While Redford’s mentorship got here with wisdom, it also got here with a dose of humor. Hawke revealed that the “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” legend once pulled him aside with an unexpected bit of fashion advice. “The last time I saw Robert Redford, he told me to stop wearing cowboy hats because people will think I’m losing my hair,” Hawke said with a smile. “And I believed that was really funny.”
When asked whether he followed Redford’s suggestion, Hawke couldn’t help but laugh. “No, I didn’t,” he admitted. “Like I said, unasked-for advice is rarely listened to.”
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Ethan Hawke Credits Robert Redford For Shaping His Profession
For Hawke, Redford’s impact went far beyond amusing or a bit of recommendation since it represented the form of mentorship that each young artist dreams of. Redford’s confidence in “Before Sunrise” not only validated Hawke’s talent but in addition helped open doors for future creative collaborations.
The actor continues to carry deep admiration for Redford’s generosity and leadership, crediting him as some of the influential figures in his artistic journey.
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Hawke Names the Young Actors Who Encourage Him
Elsewhere within the interview, Hawke turned his attention toward Hollywood’s future, sharing the rising stars who’ve captured his admiration. Though hesitant to single anyone out, the “Training Day” actor named just a few young talents he believes are paving the best way forward.
“I get insecure about saying one person,” he began, “but Paul Mescalexcites me, he’s terrific. Jacob Elordi is great, and John David Washington is phenomenal. There are such a lot of people.”
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Ethan Hawke On Making ‘Blue Moon’
Because the conversation got here full circle, Hawke reflected on his latest project, “Blue Moon,” a movie he describes as some of the difficult and rewarding experiences of his profession. The melancholic, dialogue-driven movie reunites him once more with longtime collaborator Richard Linklater, marking one other chapter in certainly one of Hollywood’s most enduring creative partnerships.
“I’ve worked with Rick since 1994. He’s so wonderful,” Hawke said, noting that the project was over a decade within the making. “He gave me that script 12 years ago. And about every other 12 months, we’d get together and do a reading of it and speak about it and prune it and shape it and work on it. And it slowly just type of grew and grew and grew. After which unexpectedly he was able to make it.”
When it finally got here time to shoot, Hawke said the experience was each exhilarating and draining. “The actual making of it felt like being shot out of a cannon,” he admitted. “We needed to work so fast, and it’s so dialogue-heavy. The character is so multidimensional and strange and fun and heartbreaking. That’s about essentially the most exhausted I’ve ever been at a wrap party in my life.”
“Blue Moon” is out on October 24, 2025.