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 artist renowned as an actor, author, and film director. His career began with Explorers (1985) and gained significant momentum after Dead Poets Society (1989). Hawke is celebrated for his collaboration with Julie Delpy and Richard Linklater in the Before trilogy (1995-2013), earning Academy Award nominations for writing Before Sunset and Before Midnight. He received further acclaim and Oscar nominations for his supporting roles in Training Day and Boyhood. Hawke's diverse filmography includes notable performances in Reality Bites, Gattaca, Great Expectations, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Maggie's Plan, First Reformed, The Black Phone, and The Northman, solidifying his place as a versatile figure in the entertainment industry.
14 hours ago : Ethan Hawke's 'The Lowdown' Noir Series Premieres September 23 on FX at 9 PM.
Ethan Hawke stars in 'The Lowdown,' a noir series set in Tulsa, premiering September 23 at 9 PM on FX. The show follows Hawke in a thrilling narrative.
1985: Premiere of A Lie of the Mind
Ethan Hawke directed the first major Off-Broadway revival of Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind play since its 1985 premiere.
1992: Broadway Debut in "The Seagull"
In 1992, Ethan Hawke made his Broadway debut, playing Konstantin Treplev in Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull" at the Lyceum Theater in Manhattan.
1995: Appearance in "Buried Child" in Chicago
In 1995, Ethan Hawke appeared in a production of Sam Shepard's "Buried Child" at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago.
1996: Publication of "The Hottest State"
In 1996, Ethan Hawke's novel, "The Hottest State", was published, which he later adapted into a film that he directed, released in 2007.
1999: Starring in "Camino Real"
In 1999, Ethan Hawke starred as Kilroy in Tennessee Williams' play "Camino Real" at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts.
2000: Supporting Bill Bradley for President
In 2000, Ethan Hawke supported Bill Bradley for President of the United States.
2000: Malaparte Theater Company Closure
In 2000, Malaparte, the Manhattan theater company co-founded and directed by Ethan Hawke in 1993, ceased operations.
2001: Co-founding the 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, as part of the New York Public Library's Young Lions Committee.
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: Supporting John Kerry for President
In 2004, Ethan Hawke supported John Kerry for President of the United States.
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 for his performance.
November 2006: Starring in The Coast of Utopia
In November 2006, Ethan Hawke began starring as Mikhail Bakunin in Tom Stoppard's trilogy play, The Coast of Utopia, an eight-hour-long production at the Lincoln Center Theater in New York.
2006: Supporting Role in "Fast Food Nation" and Directing "The Hottest State"
In 2006, Ethan Hawke was cast in a supporting role in Richard Linklater's "Fast Food Nation", based on Eric Schlosser's 2001 book. He also directed his second feature, "The Hottest State", based on his 1996 novel.
May 2007: The Coast of Utopia
In May 2007, Ethan Hawke starred in Tom Stoppard's trilogy play The Coast of Utopia at the Lincoln Center Theater in New York. His performance as Mikhail Bakunin earned him 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. The film received a lukewarm reception.
November 2007: Directing Things We Want
In November 2007, Ethan Hawke directed Things We Want, a play by Jonathan Marc Sherman, for The New Group Off-Broadway company. The play featured Paul Dano, Peter Dinklage, Josh Hamilton, and Zoe Kazan.
2007: Starring in "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"
In 2007, Ethan Hawke starred in Sidney Lumet's crime drama "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei. His performance received critical acclaim.
2008: Supporting Barack Obama for President
In 2008, Ethan Hawke supported Barack Obama for President of the United States.
2009: Performing in The Cherry Orchard and The Winter's Tale
In 2009, Ethan Hawke appeared in The Cherry Orchard and The Winter's Tale, directed by Sam Mendes, as part of the Bridge Project. He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his performance in The Winter's Tale.
2009: Appearances in "New York, I Love You" and "Staten Island"
In 2009, Ethan Hawke appeared in two films: "New York, I Love You", a romance movie comprising short films, and "Staten Island", a crime drama.
January 2010: Directing A Lie of the Mind
In January 2010, Ethan Hawke directed Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind on the New York stage. His direction was praised, earning him a Drama Desk Award nomination.
December 2010: Starring in Blood from a Stone
In December 2010, Ethan Hawke starred in the Off-Broadway premiere of Tommy Nohilly's Blood from a Stone. His performance as Travis earned him positive feedback.
2010: Starring in "Daybreakers" and "Brooklyn's Finest"
In 2010, Ethan Hawke starred in the science fiction horror film "Daybreakers" as a vampire hematologist and in Antoine Fuqua's "Brooklyn's Finest" as a corrupt narcotics officer. His performance in "Brooklyn's Finest" was well-received.
February 2011: Blood from a Stone
In February 2011, Ethan Hawke was acting in the Off-Broadway play Tommy Nohilly's Blood from a Stone. Hawke's role earned him an Obie Award.
March 2011: Supporting Same-Sex Marriage
In March 2011, Ethan Hawke and his wife released a video supporting same-sex marriage in New York.
2011: Role 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 as an American novelist.
2012: Starring in "Sinister"
In 2012, Ethan Hawke starred in the horror film "Sinister", playing a true crime writer. The film was a box office success, grossing US$87 million worldwide.
2013: Starring in "Before Midnight"
In 2013, Ethan Hawke starred in "Before Midnight", the third installment of the Before series, reuniting him with Julie Delpy and Richard Linklater. The film garnered critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
2013: Starring in and Directing Clive and Macbeth
In 2013, Ethan Hawke starred in and directed a new play Clive and also 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 commercially unsuccessful.
August 2014: Release of "Predestination" in Australia
In August 2014, the science fiction thriller "Predestination", starring Ethan Hawke as a time-traveling agent, 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: Release of "Boyhood"
In mid-2014, Richard Linklater's film "Boyhood", filmed over 12 years, was released. Ethan Hawke played the protagonist's father. The film received critical acclaim and numerous awards nominations.
January 2015: US Release of "Predestination"
In January 2015, the film "Predestination", starring Ethan Hawke, was released in the United States after being released in Australia in August 2014.
March 2015: Release of "Seymour: An Introduction"
In March 2015, Ethan Hawke's documentary "Seymour: An Introduction" was released to a warm reception, with the Los Angeles Times describing it as "quietly moving, indefinitely deep".
November 2015: Publication of "Rules for a Knight"
In November 2015, Ethan Hawke published his third novel, "Rules for a Knight", which is written in the form of a letter from a father to his four children about moral values.
May 2016: Joining the 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"
In 2016, Ethan Hawke starred in "In a Valley of Violence", "The Phenom", "Maudie", and "The Magnificent Seven". Also, on June 7, his graphic novel "Indeh: A Story of the Apache Wars", co-written with Greg Ruth, was released.
2016: Supporting Hillary Clinton for President
In 2016, Ethan Hawke supported Hillary Clinton for President of the United States.
2017: Appearance in "Valerian" and starring in "First Reformed"
In 2017, Ethan Hawke had a cameo role in "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" and starred in Paul Schrader's drama "First Reformed", premiering at the Venice Film Festival.
December 27, 2018: Previews Begin for True West
On December 27, 2018, previews began for the revival of Sam Shepard's True West on Broadway, co-starring Ethan Hawke and Paul Dano.
2018: Films at Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals
In 2018, Ethan Hawke had "Juliet, Naked" and "Blaze" premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and "Stockholm" premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
January 24, 2019: Opening of True West
On January 24, 2019, Ethan Hawke starred in the official opening of the revival of Sam Shepard's True West on Broadway, co-starring Paul Dano.
March 17, 2019: Closing of True West
On March 17, 2019, the revival of Sam Shepard's True West on Broadway, starring Ethan Hawke and Paul Dano, officially closed.
2019: Adapting "The Good Lord Bird" into a Miniseries
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 Good Lord Bird" miniseries, adapted by Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum from the book of the same name, premiered on Showtime.
2020: Starring in "Tesla" and "The Good Lord Bird"
In 2020, Ethan Hawke starred as Nikola Tesla in the biographical film "Tesla" and as John Brown in "The Good Lord Bird" miniseries.
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: Release of "The Last Movie Stars" and Voice Role in "Batwheels"
In 2022, Ethan Hawke's documentary "The Last Movie Stars" was broadcast on HBO Max, and he voiced Batman in the animated series "Batwheels".
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