Ethan Hawke shares touching Robert Redford story: “One of the heroes of my life”
Ethan Hawke has shared a touching tribute to the late Robert Redford, describing him as “one of the heroes of my life.”
Redford passed away in his sleep at his home in Utah at the age of 89 on September 16th. Cindi Berger, the chief executive of the publicity firm Rogers and Cowan PMK, said that Redford died in “the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved” and stated that he “will be missed greatly”.
Hawke has become one of many actors and industry workers sharing their stories of Redford’s unwavering kindness. During an audition for his 1992 period drama, A River Runs Through It, Hawke ran into Redford. He shared the story on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Hawke recalled their first meeting, when he walked into Redford’s audition room having prepared all night to read the lengthy monologue. Hawke was unbelievably nervous and told the director just that. “He goes, ‘So, you ready to read?’” Hawke said. “And I was like, ‘To be totally honest, sir, I think I’m starstruck. I’m not sure I can breathe right now, and if I could just have, like, 60 seconds to step out of the room and come back in again, I’ll be ready.’”
Redford told Hawke to take some time and return the next day, but Hawke was adamant about getting it done. Hawke remembered: “I do the audition and he’s really cool. He looks at me and he goes, ‘You know, I’m an actor.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I know.’ He said, ‘I always give actors a second chance. I give ‘em some notes and I let ‘em try it one more time to see what they’re made of, but you nailed it. And you’re gonna have a great career, and you’re too young for this part, but it was a pleasure to meet you.’”
A few months on, Redford went to an underground play Hawke was in, to congratulate him on the performance, stating, “Good job, I tell you, keep doing what you’re doing, it’s gonna go great.”
Hawke said of Redford’s overall impact, “It was a leadership in not just my life, but in my entire community’s life. And when you do the good that you have the power to do — that’s all any of us have to do. And I thought he led his life by example.”
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