Some in Hollywood once found it 'irritating.' But Ethan Hawke refuses to be typecast

Some in Hollywood Once Found It 'Irritating.' But Ethan Hawke Refuses to Be Typecast

As a young actor, Ethan Hawke’s drive for diverse roles often caused tension. This fall, his commitment to "shaking it up" has resulted in significant parts in The Lowdown, Blue Moon, and Black Phone 2.

Ethan Hawke has long been known for surprising audiences. Throughout his extensive career, he has seamlessly shifted from prestige dramas to quirky comedies to intense horror films, dedicating himself fully to each role.

A Rare Convergence of Roles This Year

This year stands out with a remarkable mix of projects. In Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, Hawke portrays the complex real-life songwriter Lorenz Hart. On the FX series The Lowdown, created by his friend Sterlin Harjo, he plays Lee Raybon, an impulsive journalist. In Black Phone 2, he takes on the chilling role of a serial killer haunting children from beyond the grave.

“It makes you believe in astrology or something. All these disparate parts of my life are being released at the same time. I’ve been so worried about this whole aging process. But the great thing about it is that the roles get a lot more complicated. They get fewer, but the ones you get are complicated and interesting. I feel astonished to have been doing this job for 30 years and have two of the best parts I’ve ever had this year.”
Ethan Hawke, speaking over Zoom from New York City

Remarkably, Hawke has been planning to portray Lorenz Hart for more than ten years.

Author’s Summary

Ethan Hawke has thrived by embracing diverse, complex roles over 30 years, defying typecasting and achieving some of his finest performances this year.

Los Angeles Times — 2025-11-06