Ten fun facts about Ethan Hawke

1. 12 Years Old, Making Debut on Stage

At the tender age of 12, Ethan Hawke made his debut as an actor on the stage of the McCarter Theater in Princeton, New Jersey. This renowned theater, founded in 1930, has been the home of many notable productions, including the world premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Proof" by David Auburn. Ethan's performance marked the beginning of a successful career that has spanned over three decades and included roles in films such as "Training Day" and "Boyhood".

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2. No Yearbook Photo at High School

Ethan Hawke attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School in New Jersey, but curiously, he is not pictured in the 1984-86 yearbook. This is surprising, considering Hawke was already an accomplished actor by then, having starred in the 1985 film Explorers and the 1986 film Dead Poets Society. He had also already won a Young Artist Award for his performance in Explorers.

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3. Failed Actor Turned Successful Actor

Ethan Hawke had a promising start to his acting career when he was accepted into the prestigious Carnegie-Mellon University School of Drama in Pittsburgh, PA. However, his stay was short-lived, as he dropped out after only five months. Despite this, Hawke has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, with numerous awards and nominations to his name.

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4. Ethan Hawke Returns to Acting with a New Appreciation for the Craft

Ethan Hawke took two extended breaks from acting during his twenties. The first was when he enrolled in New York University to study English Literature, and the second when he wrote a novel. During this time, Hawke was able to explore his other interests and passions, and gain a deeper understanding of the world around him. His sabbaticals allowed him to return to acting with a newfound appreciation for the craft, and a greater understanding of the characters he was portraying.

Also → Laurence Fishburne: Early Start in Acting Led to Successful Career

5. Ethan Hawke Loves Star Wars So Much, He Could Watch Them Every Day

Ethan Hawke is a huge fan of the Star Wars movies, so much so that he can watch them over and over again without ever getting bored. He has even gone on record to say that he loves the movies so much that he could watch them every day and never tire of them. His enthusiasm for the franchise is so strong that he has even been known to dress up as his favorite characters for special occasions.

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6. Ethan Hawke's Debut Novel Becomes a Classic

In 1996, Ethan Hawke made a major splash in the literary world with the publication of his debut novel, "The Hottest State". His work was so impressive that it earned him a hefty $400,000 advance from Little, Brown and Company, making it one of the most successful literary debuts of the decade. Hawke's novel has since gone on to become a classic, and has been adapted into a feature film starring Hawke himself.

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7. Actor who turned down role in 'Red Dragon'

Ethan Hawke was originally chosen to play the lead role of an FBI agent in the 2002 movie "Red Dragon", but he decided to turn down the role in order to focus more on his own movie-making endeavors. Hawke's decision to prioritize his own projects over the opportunity to star in a major motion picture was a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ambition to create his own works of art.

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8. Ethan Hawke Dedicates Himself to the Role of Hamlet

Ethan Hawke was determined to give an outstanding performance in the movie version of “Hamlet”, so he dedicated himself to the role. In the summer prior to the filming, he attended three acting sessions every single week, conducted by his friend who had previously played the same part on stage. This gave Hawke the opportunity to gain insight into the character and to hone his skills, ensuring that he was fully prepared for the role.

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9. Ethan Hawke & Co. Found Malaparte Theatre Co.

Ethan Hawke, along with Steve Zahn, Robert Sean Leonard, and Frank Whaley, co-founded the now-defunct theatre company, Malaparte. The company was a creative outlet for the four actors, allowing them to explore their passion for the performing arts. Unfortunately, the company was short-lived, but the experience of working together was invaluable for the four actors.

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10. Ethan Hawke is often mistaken for Mark McGrath

Ethan Hawke is often mistaken for Mark McGrath, the lead singer of the band Sugar Ray. This confusion is so common that Hawke has been known to sign autographs as McGrath, while McGrath has been known to sign autographs as Hawke. It's an amusing mix-up that has been going on for years, and it's a testament to the similarities between the two men.

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