Baftas 2026: Ethan Hawke says Robert Aramayo’s praise was “better than winning”
Ethan Hawke has responded to a heartfelt tribute given by first-time Bafta winner Robert Aramayo, who recalled Hawke’s words of wisdom in his acceptance speech.
Aramayo took home the coveted award for ‘Leading Actor’ in the category over-flowing with huge names, including Marty Supreme‘s Timothée Chalamet, Nuremberg‘s Russell Crowe, One Battle After Another‘s Leonardo DiCaprio, Train Dreams‘s Joel Edgerton, Blue Moon‘s Ethan Hawke, Sinners’ Michael B. Jordan, Pillion’s Harry Melling, Steve’s Cillian Murphy, and Bugonia‘s Jesse Plemons.
Taking to the stage, Aramayo opened his heartfelt speech, “I absolutely can’t believe this. I can’t believe I’m looking at people like you [DiCaprio], never mind that I’m stood here.“
The actor, originally from Hull, added that everyone in the category “blows me away”, before turning his attention specifically to Hawke.
Aramayo recalled, “When I was in school, Ethan Hawke came to speak to us at Juilliard and he gave an amazing talk on longevity as an actor, protecting your instrument and avoiding self-destructive behaviours.”
He added, “‘And it had a great impact on everyone in that room, so to be in this category with you tonight is incredible. Thank you, Ethan!”
The camera caught Hawke’s reaction to the touching story in the crowd, as he turned to the person next to him and visibly responded, “That’s better than winning.”
At the ceremony, I Swear also won in the ‘Casting’ category, while Aramayo also took home the ‘EE Rising Star Award’. The movie follows John Davidson MBE, a man with Tourette’s syndrome.
Davidson was also in attendance at the ceremony, but left of his own volition after he shouted a racial slur from his seat during a segment in which Michael B Jordan and Daniel Leroy were presenting the first award of the night. Aramayo has since called for “grace” and “education” around Tourette’s.
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