Ethan Hawke Felt Denzel Washington Was a Dramatic Actor at a Time When Dramas Weren’t Wanted
Actor Ethan Hawke had been an admirer of Denzel Washington even before their collaboration for Training Day. Hawke once explained what he felt made Washington unique from other blockbuster stars like him.
Why Ethan Hawke was impressed with Denzel Washington being a dramatic actor
Having worked with Washington personally, Hawke wasn’t just an admirer of Washington because of the latter’s acting talent. But Hawke was also impressed by Washington’s work ethic and integrity. He experienced this personally and firsthand when the two came together for Training Day. Behind the scenes, Hawke took an example from Washington’s approach to his craft.
“It was fascinating to see [Denzel Washington] work at that high a level in a studio movie. You can see people working like that, in church basements, with confidence and creativity. But when big money comes around, and pressure comes around, people shrink. It was an exciting moment to see that that didn’t have to be,” Hawke once told The New York Times.
In recent years, Hawke has only appreciated more what he felt Washington meant to the film industry. Hawke felt that dramas, which were once able to draw money at the box office, were fading in terms of audience appeal. But he believed Washington’s own presence as a dramatic actor helped overcome the limitations of the genre.
“To me, the great example is Denzel Washington. Because he’s become a movie star by being a world-class dramatic actor–at a time when audiences don’t want drama. Think of how massive those obstacles are. And think of how he overcomes them. White audiences relate to him. He’s not a comedian, and he’s not a rapper. He’s a leading man. And we see ourselves in him,” he once told the Los Angeles Times.
Ethan Hawke shared that Denzel Washington wasn’t easy to work with, but it was a good thing
Hawke co-starred alongside many actors who he considered to be difficult to work with. And he put Washington in this category. But that didn’t mean he enjoyed collaborating with The Equalizer star and the rest any less.
“I mean, easy is really not very interesting,” Hawke once told The Hollywood Reporter. “Julie Delpy’s not easy to work with. Denzel’s not easy. Robert De Niro’s not easy to work with. Richard Linklater’s not easy to work with, you know. I would be — you could never achieve the level of success that he has if he was easy to work with. Most people, including myself, you know, are pretty accepting of mediocrity, you know.”
Hawke asserted that Washington didn’t settle for mediocrity, further fueling his work ethic.
“But Denzel, don’t f*** with him, man; you know, come to the set with some sloppy work,” Hawke said. “I loved it. I love somebody set the bar high for crying out loud, you know. I mean everybody just is so complacent, you know it’s like they’re waiting for Martin Scorsese to show up to give them permission to do great work. Why not do it now? Why not do it with your friends, you know?”
Ethan Hawke recently opened up about Oscars advice he got from Denzel Washington
Hawke’s opinion of Washington seemed to rise even higher after Washington gave him advice about the Oscars. The two attended the 2002 Academy Awards, with both receiving nominations for Training Day. During their time together, Washington gave Hawke words of wisdom regarding winning an award. In an interview on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace, Hawke shared what his Magnificent Seven co-star told him.
“You don’t want an award to improve your status. You want to improve the award’s status,” Hawke recalled Washington telling him. “That’s the way he thinks, and that’s what I’m talking about playing with [baseball great] Babe Ruth.”
Hawke felt Washington proved those words with his own Oscar wins.
“I think when all is said and done, he’s the greatest actor of our generation,” Hawke added. “The Academy Award has more power because Denzel has a couple. It didn’t elevate who he was.”
