Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ethan Hawke
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ethan Hawke made an impact.
Ethan Hawke is a multifaceted American talent, recognized as an actor, author, and film director. He gained prominence with roles in films like Explorers and Dead Poets Society. His collaborative work with Richard Linklater and Julie Delpy in the Before trilogy is particularly acclaimed, earning him Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also received nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in Training Day and Boyhood. Hawke's diverse filmography includes notable roles in Reality Bites, Gattaca, First Reformed, and The Black Phone, showcasing his range and enduring presence in the film industry.
1985: Film Debut in Explorers
In 1985, Ethan Hawke made his film debut in 'Explorers'.
1989: Dropped out of Carnegie Mellon after being cast in Dead Poets Society
In 1989, Ethan Hawke dropped out of Carnegie Mellon University after being cast in 'Dead Poets Society'.
1989: Breakthrough performance in Dead Poets Society
In 1989, Ethan Hawke had his breakthrough performance in 'Dead Poets Society'.
1989: Auditioned for Dad during Dead Poets Society Filming
While filming 'Dead Poets Society' in 1989, Ethan Hawke auditioned for and secured a role in the comedy drama 'Dad'.
1991: First leading role in White Fang
In 1991, Ethan Hawke landed his first leading role in 'White Fang', playing Jack Conroy.
1992: Appeared in A Midnight Clear
In 1992, Ethan Hawke appeared in Keith Gordon's 'A Midnight Clear', a well-received war film based on William Wharton's novel.
1992: Broadway Debut in The Seagull
In 1992, Ethan Hawke made his Broadway debut in Anton Chekhov's 'The Seagull'.
1993: Portrayed Nando Parrado in Alive
In 1993, Ethan Hawke portrayed Nando Parrado, a survivor of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, in the survival drama 'Alive'.
1994: Directed Stay (I Missed You) Music Video
In 1994, Ethan Hawke directed the music video for the song "Stay (I Missed You)" by Lisa Loeb, who was part of Hawke's theater company. The video was later named video of the year by Spin.
1994: Starred in Reality Bites
In 1994, Ethan Hawke played Troy Dyer in the Generation X drama 'Reality Bites'.
1995: Appearance in "Buried Child"
In 1995, Ethan Hawke appeared in a production of Sam Shepard's "Buried Child" at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago.
1995: Critical acclaim for Before Sunrise
In 1995, Ethan Hawke received critical acclaim for his performance in Richard Linklater's drama 'Before Sunrise'.
1995: Starred in Before Sunrise
In 1995, Ethan Hawke starred alongside Julie Delpy in Richard Linklater's 'Before Sunrise'.
1996: Published The Hottest State
In 1996, Ethan Hawke published his first novel, 'The Hottest State', which tells the story of a love affair between a young actor and a singer.
1997: Role in Gattaca
In 1997, Ethan Hawke played the role of a man who infiltrates a society of genetically perfect humans in Andrew Niccol's science fiction film 'Gattaca'.
1998: Appeared in Great Expectations and The Newton Boys
In 1998, Ethan Hawke appeared in 'Great Expectations', a modern adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel, and collaborated with Richard Linklater on 'The Newton Boys'.
1998: Starred in Great Expectations
In 1998, Ethan Hawke starred in 'Great Expectations'.
1999: Starring in "Camino Real"
In 1999, Ethan Hawke starred as Kilroy in the Tennessee Williams play "Camino Real" at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts.
2000: Played Hamlet in Michael Almereyda's Film
In 2000, Ethan Hawke played the title character in Michael Almereyda's film 'Hamlet', which transposed the play to contemporary New York City.
2000: End of Malaparte Theater Company
In 2000, Malaparte, the Manhattan theater company co-founded and directed by Ethan Hawke, ceased operations.
2001: Appeared in Waking Life and Tape
In 2001, Ethan Hawke appeared in two Richard Linklater films: 'Waking Life' and 'Tape'.
2001: Co-founded Young Lions Fiction Award
In 2001, Ethan Hawke co-founded the Young Lions Fiction Award, an annual prize for achievements in fiction by writers under 35.
2001: Directed Chelsea Walls
In 2001, Ethan Hawke directed the narrative film 'Chelsea Walls'.
2001: Starred in Training Day
In 2001, Ethan Hawke starred as rookie cop Jake Hoyt in 'Training Day', alongside Denzel Washington. This role earned him nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the Screen Actors Guild and Academy Awards.
2002: Directed Chelsea Walls and published Ash Wednesday
In 2002, Ethan Hawke made his directorial debut with 'Chelsea Walls' and published his second novel, 'Ash Wednesday', which became a New York Times Best Seller.
2003: Guest starred in Alias
In 2003, Ethan Hawke made a television appearance as a mysterious CIA agent in the second season of the television series 'Alias'.
2003: Return to Broadway in "Henry IV"
In 2003, Ethan Hawke returned to Broadway in Jack O'Brien's production of "Henry IV", playing Henry Percy (Hotspur).
2004: Starred in Taking Lives and Before Sunset
In 2004, Ethan Hawke starred in 'Taking Lives' and 'Before Sunset', the latter of which he co-wrote and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
2005: Starring in "Hurlyburly"
In 2005, Ethan Hawke starred in the Off-Broadway revival of David Rabe's dark comedy "Hurlyburly", earning a Lucille Lortel Award nomination.
November 2006: Starred in The Coast of Utopia
In November 2006, Ethan Hawke starred as Mikhail Bakunin in Tom Stoppard's trilogy play 'The Coast of Utopia' at the Lincoln Center Theater in New York.
2006: Directed The Hottest State
In 2006, Ethan Hawke directed the narrative film 'The Hottest State'.
2006: Cast in "Fast Food Nation" and directs "The Hottest State"
In 2006, Ethan Hawke was cast in a supporting role in "Fast Food Nation," directed by Richard Linklater, and directed his second feature, "The Hottest State," based on his 1996 novel.
May 2007: Starred in The Coast of Utopia
From November 2006 to May 2007, Ethan Hawke starred as Mikhail Bakunin in Tom Stoppard's trilogy play 'The Coast of Utopia' at the Lincoln Center Theater in New York, receiving a Tony Award nomination.
August 2007: Release of "The Hottest State"
In August 2007, Ethan Hawke's second directorial feature, "The Hottest State," based on his 1996 novel of the same name, was released, receiving a tepid reception.
November 2007: Directed 'Things We Want'
In November 2007, Ethan Hawke directed Jonathan Marc Sherman's 'Things We Want' for The New Group, an Off-Broadway company.
2007: Starred in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
In 2007, Ethan Hawke starred in 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead'.
2009: Appearances in "New York, I Love You" and "Staten Island"
In 2009, Ethan Hawke appeared in "New York, I Love You," a romance movie, and "Staten Island," a crime drama.
2009: Appeared in Two Plays
In 2009, Ethan Hawke appeared in two plays under British director Sam Mendes: Chekhov's 'The Cherry Orchard' as Trofimov and Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale' as Autolycus, as part of the Bridge Project. His performance in The Winter's Tale earned him a Drama Desk Award nomination.
January 2010: Directed 'A Lie of the Mind'
In January 2010, Ethan Hawke directed Sam Shepard's 'A Lie of the Mind' on the New York stage, marking the first major Off-Broadway revival since its 1985 premiere. The production garnered five Lucille Lortel Award nominations including Outstanding Revival, and earned Hawke a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Play.
December 2010: Starred in 'Blood from a Stone'
From December 2010 to February 2011, Ethan Hawke starred in Tommy Nohilly's 'Blood from a Stone' Off-Broadway, earning positive feedback and an Obie Award for his portrayal of Travis.
2010: Starring in "Daybreakers" and "Brooklyn's Finest"
In 2010, Ethan Hawke starred in the science fiction horror film "Daybreakers" and Antoine Fuqua's "Brooklyn's Finest" as a corrupt narcotics officer.
February 2011: Starred in 'Blood from a Stone'
From December 2010 to February 2011, Ethan Hawke starred in Tommy Nohilly's 'Blood from a Stone' Off-Broadway, earning positive feedback and an Obie Award for his portrayal of Travis.
March 2011: Supported Same-Sex Marriage
In March 2011, Ethan Hawke and his wife released a video supporting same-sex marriage in New York.
2011: Roles in "Moby-Dick" and "The Woman in the Fifth"
In 2011, Ethan Hawke played Starbuck in the television adaptation of "Moby-Dick" and starred in "The Woman in the Fifth" opposite Kristin Scott Thomas.
2012: Starring in "Sinister"
In 2012, Ethan Hawke entered the horror genre for the first time by playing a true crime writer in Scott Derrickson's "Sinister", which grossed US$87 million at the worldwide box office.
2013: Starred in Before Midnight
In 2013, Ethan Hawke starred alongside Julie Delpy in 'Before Midnight'.
2013: Starred in Clive and Macbeth
In 2013, Ethan Hawke starred in and directed 'Clive', inspired by Bertolt Brecht's Baal, and played the title role in a Broadway production of 'Macbeth'.
2013: Starring in "The Purge" and "Getaway"
In 2013, Ethan Hawke starred in the horror-thriller "The Purge," which had a successful box office debut, and the action thriller "Getaway," which was critically and commercially unsuccessful.
August 2014: Release of "Predestination" in Australia
In August 2014, Ethan Hawke's film "Predestination" was released in Australia after premiering at the SXSW Film Festival.
September 2014: Premiere of "Seymour: An Introduction" at TIFF
In September 2014, Ethan Hawke's documentary debut, "Seymour: An Introduction," screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), winning second runner-up for TIFF's People's Choice Award for Best Documentary.
2014: Directed Seymour: An Introduction
In 2014, Ethan Hawke directed the documentary 'Seymour: An Introduction'.
2014: Release of "Boyhood"
In mid-2014, Linklater's "Boyhood", filmed over 12 years, was released, with Ethan Hawke playing the protagonist's father; the film became the best-reviewed film of 2014 and earned Hawke multiple awards nominations.
January 2015: Release of "Predestination" in the US
In January 2015, the science fiction thriller "Predestination," starring Ethan Hawke, was released in the US after its premiere and Australian release in 2014.
March 2015: Release of "Seymour: An Introduction"
In March 2015, Ethan Hawke's documentary "Seymour: An Introduction" was released to a warm reception.
November 2015: Publication of "Rules for a Knight"
In November 2015, Ethan Hawke published his third novel, "Rules for a Knight", in the form of a letter from a father to his four children about moral values in life.
2015: Starred in Maggie's Plan
In 2015, Ethan Hawke starred in 'Maggie's Plan'.
May 2016: Joined Library's Board of Trustees
In May 2016, Ethan Hawke joined the New York Public Library's board of trustees.
2016: Starring in Multiple Films and Publication of "Indeh: A Story of the Apache Wars"
In 2016, Ethan Hawke starred in "In a Valley of Violence," "The Phenom," "Maudie," and "The Magnificent Seven"; his fourth book, "Indeh: A Story of the Apache Wars," co-authored with Greg Ruth, was also released on June 7, 2016.
2017: Appearances in "Valerian" and "First Reformed"
In 2017, Ethan Hawke appeared in a cameo role in "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" and starred in Paul Schrader's drama film "First Reformed," which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
2017: Starred in First Reformed
In 2017, Ethan Hawke starred in 'First Reformed'.
December 27, 2018: True West Show Previews Began
On December 27, 2018, previews began for the revival of Sam Shepard's 'True West' on Broadway, co-starring Paul Dano.
2018: Directed Blaze
In 2018, Ethan Hawke directed the narrative film 'Blaze'.
2018: Film Premieres at Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals
In 2018, Ethan Hawke had two films premiere at the Sundance Film Festival: "Juliet, Naked" and "Blaze". He also starred in "Stockholm", which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
2018: Starred in True West
In 2018, Ethan Hawke starred in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Sam Shepard's play 'True West'.
January 24, 2019: True West Show Officially Opened
On January 24, 2019, the revival of Sam Shepard's 'True West', co-starring Paul Dano, officially opened on Broadway and received critical acclaim.
March 17, 2019: True West Closed
On March 17, 2019, the revival of Sam Shepard's 'True West', co-starring Paul Dano, closed on Broadway.
2019: Adaptation of "The Good Lord Bird"
In 2019, Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum adapted the book "The Good Lord Bird" into a miniseries.
2019: Starring in "The Kid"
In 2019, Ethan Hawke starred in the western drama "The Kid", directed by Vincent D'Onofrio.
October 4, 2020: Premiere of "The Good Lord Bird" miniseries
On October 4, 2020, the miniseries "The Good Lord Bird", adapted by Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum from the book of the same name, premiered on Showtime.
2020: Created and starred in The Good Lord Bird
In 2020, Ethan Hawke created, co-wrote, and starred as John Brown in the Showtime limited series 'The Good Lord Bird'.
2020: Roles in "The Good Lord Bird" and "Tesla"
In 2020, Ethan Hawke starred as John Brown in "The Good Lord Bird" and as Nikola Tesla in the biographical film "Tesla".
February 2021: Publication of "A Bright Ray of Darkness"
In February 2021, Ethan Hawke's third novel, "A Bright Ray of Darkness", was published.
2022: Starred in The Northman
In 2022, Ethan Hawke starred in 'The Northman'.
2022: Documentary and Voice Acting Role
In 2022, Ethan Hawke's documentary "The Last Movie Stars" was broadcast on HBO Max, and he voiced Bruce Wayne/Batman in "Batwheels".
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