Ethan Hawke on Portraying Legendary Lyricist Lorenz Hart in ‘Blue Moon’: ‘This Is a Role That Is Outside My Comfort Zone, but I Know This Guy’

Ethan Hawke on Portraying Legendary Lyricist Lorenz Hart in "Blue Moon"

Ethan Hawke’s portrayal of renowned lyricist Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater’s film Blue Moon is drawing some of the strongest acclaim of his long career. The four-time Oscar nominee has been named Variety’s 2025 Virtuoso honoree at the Miami Film Festival GEMS.

A Distinguished Career in Cinema

Since his breakout role in the 1989 best picture nominee Dead Poets Society, Hawke has remained a major force in American cinema. He received Oscar nominations for his performance in Training Day (2001) and for co-writing Before Sunset (2004), further solidifying his place in film history.

Recent Projects and Recognition

In 2025, Hawke continues to display remarkable range. Alongside his recognition at the Miami festival, he appears in Hulu’s The Low Down, directed the documentary Highway 99: A Double Album exploring the life of Merle Haggard, and stars in the horror sequel Black Phone 2. This busy slate has led many to jokingly call him the new “Hardest Working Man in Show Business.”

The Journey of "Blue Moon"

Discussing the film’s decade-long development, Hawke recalls how the project evolved over time, eventually finding him fully prepared for the role.

“Rick sent me the script 10 years ago. He said back then, ‘We’re not ready,’ meaning I’m not ready,” Hawke says.

His nuanced and emotional portrayal in Blue Moon stands as proof that, after years of growth and reflection, Hawke was indeed ready to take on the challenge.

Author’s Summary

Ethan Hawke’s understated yet powerful turn as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon reflects both his artistic maturity and his continued passion for storytelling across all forms of cinema.

Variety — 2025-11-02