Fresh Air Best Of: Ethan Hawke / Tim Robbins
6 snips
Nov 15, 2025 
Ethan Hawke, a versatile film and stage actor, discusses his challenging role as Lorenz Hart in 'Blue Moon,' delving into the emotional complexities he faced. He shares insights on working with Richard Linklater and his unique approaches to embodying characters. Tim Robbins, an Academy Award-winning actor and director, reflects on the power of live theater, his commitment to The Actors Gang, and the haunting themes of 'Shawshank Redemption.' Together, they explore the intersections of addiction, creativity, and the transformative nature of storytelling.
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Playing Contradictions Reveals Character Depth
- Larry Hart embodies simultaneous contradictions: jealous yet proud, self-loathing yet intellectual pride.
- Ethan Hawke says playing such correlated opposites pushed him to the limits of his craft.
Physical Tricks And A Heartbreaking Reaction
- Hawke describes using stagecraft and a lowered floor to appear a foot shorter and how that affected intimacy and flirting.
- He recalls the helper's wife saying, 'If you were this tall, I wouldn't love you,' which highlighted societal height biases.
Time Is The Central Character
- Linklater and Hawke share an obsession with time that shapes their films and collaborations.
- Hawke says acting forces him to confront aging and time in ways everyday life often does not.
