Ethan Hawke discusses the impact of public criticism on actors, sharing personal anecdotes about dealing with negative online comments and the recent Quentin Tarantino and Paul Dano situation. He emphasizes the importance of not internalizing hate, recognizing that critics often project their own issues, and encourages resilience in the face of negativity.
In a candid conversation, Ethan Hawke opens up about the challenges actors face when dealing with public criticism, especially in the age of the internet. Drawing from personal experiences and recent events involving Quentin Tarantino and Paul Dano, Hawke offers valuable lessons on resilience, perspective, and the nature of hate.
Hawke begins by recounting a story about an actor friend who shared a dressing room with him. Despite delivering a great performance, the friend was deeply affected by negative comments he read online about his character. Hawke observed that his friend’s energy was dark, as he had "gone down the rabbit hole" of reading harsh critiques late at night. This experience took weeks for the actor to recover from, as he imagined a "chorus of hate" every time he stepped on stage.
Similarly, Hawke mentions a famous comedian friend who also fell into the trap of reading negative comments on Reddit. The comedian admitted, "I fucked up and I went down this rabbit hole," to which Hawke advised, "Don't do it. No good comes from it."
Hawke points out that much of the hate directed at public figures is less about the individuals themselves and more about the commenters’ own frustrations. He explains that those who leave hateful comments are often people who "hate themselves" and "hate everything," not successful or fulfilled individuals like Michael Jordan.
This perspective helps to depersonalize the criticism and understand that it often reflects the commenters’ own struggles rather than the true quality or character of the person being criticized.
Hawke references a recent situation where Quentin Tarantino publicly criticized Paul Dano. While acknowledging that Tarantino’s comments were harsh, Hawke sees a valuable lesson in the incident. He suggests that Paul Dano likely did not realize how many people actually love and respect him.
He describes Tarantino as someone who "just talks, talks, talks," and contrasts this with Paul Dano’s reputation as a "great world-class human being." The outpouring of support for Dano following Tarantino’s remarks highlights the importance of focusing on positive feedback rather than negative noise.
Hawke shares an anecdote about meeting a famous director who admitted to having disliked him for 27 years, despite complimenting his recent work. This story illustrates that directors and other industry professionals often have strong, sometimes negative opinions about actors, which may not be personal but rather subjective judgments.
He emphasizes that hateful comments are often more about the person expressing them than the target, reinforcing the idea that criticism should not be internalized.
Hawke expresses his admiration for Paul Dano, having worked with him multiple times, and praises his performance in the scene that sparked the controversy. He asserts that Dano’s talent is undeniable and that the majority of public comments about him are positive.
He also notes that even legendary directors like Steven Spielberg or Orson Welles have their own strong opinions and dislikes, which do not necessarily reflect objective truth.
Hawke warns against opening oneself up to the trivial and often flippant comments found on platforms like YouTube or Reddit. He explains that humans are wired to recognize threats and negativity as a survival mechanism, which is why negative comments can hurt deeply.
He admits that criticism can feel threatening because it raises fears about the stability of one’s career and the ability to continue doing what one loves. However, he stresses the importance of developing toughness and not letting such negativity derail one’s passion or self-worth.
Ethan Hawke’s reflections offer a compassionate and realistic view of the challenges faced by public figures in the digital age. His insights encourage artists and individuals alike to:
Ultimately, Hawke’s message is one of hope and strength, reminding us that while criticism is inevitable, it does not define us.
