#2425 - Ethan Hawke

Overview

Ethan Hawke delves into his journey as an actor, the challenges and lessons of fame, the art of storytelling, and the importance of creativity and personal growth. The conversation explores his early career, the impact of mentors, the craft of acting, and the broader human experience.

Notable Quotes

- You have to care. Anxiety can be a great friend—it warns you, prepares you, and sharpens you. - Ethan Hawke, on the role of nerves in performance.

- Fear is like a fire. It can cook your food or burn your house down—it depends on how you control it. - Cus D’Amato, as referenced by Ethan Hawke.

- When you know what you're doing, you will be nervous. - Ethan Hawke, quoting Sarah Bernhardt on the value of nerves in mastery.

🎭 Ethan Hawke’s Early Acting Journey

- Hawke recounts his first acting experience at age 12, performing in George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan. This sparked his passion for acting, contrasting with his parents' dissatisfaction with their jobs.

- His early Hollywood experience, including working with River Phoenix on Explorers, was both thrilling and disillusioning, teaching him resilience after the film's failure.

- Landing a role in Dead Poets Society reignited his career, offering a deeper appreciation for the craft and the importance of doing it for the love of acting rather than fame.

🌟 The Complexities of Fame and Celebrity

- Hawke reflects on the dangers of childhood stardom, emphasizing the developmental challenges it poses. He advises parents to encourage acting in school plays but warns against professional acting for children.

- He discusses the slow, incremental fame he experienced, which allowed him to build resilience and perspective, contrasting it with the overwhelming instant fame of others like Julia Roberts.

- Both Hawke and Rogan agree that fame can act as a poison if not managed carefully, and they highlight the importance of staying grounded.

🎬 The Craft of Acting and Storytelling

- Hawke describes acting as a form of hypnosis, where the goal is to disappear into the character and create a collective imaginative experience.

- He shares insights on working with great actors like Denzel Washington, whose improvisation and preparation on Training Day elevated the film.

- The importance of listening and being present in a scene is likened to being present in life, with Hawke emphasizing the parallels between acting and human connection.

🌌 Creativity, Intuition, and Personal Growth

- Hawke discusses the role of intuition and being open to life’s pivotal moments, likening it to listening to a gentle voice that guides one's path.

- He highlights the value of beginner’s mind—embracing new challenges like writing graphic novels or directing documentaries to fuel creativity and growth.

- The conversation touches on the humbling and grounding experience of connecting with nature, such as stargazing or witnessing the Aurora Borealis, as a counterbalance to modern distractions like social media.

💡 Lessons on Resilience and Criticism

- Both Hawke and Rogan explore the impact of criticism, with Hawke sharing how he learned to not let negative opinions define him.

- They discuss the importance of developing a thick skin, recognizing that criticism often reflects the critic’s own insecurities rather than the subject’s worth.

- Hawke emphasizes the need to focus on the joy of creation and the process itself, rather than external validation or success.