training day

Ethan Hawke 7 Best Movie Roles

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Ethan Hawke is one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, and there are tons of movies to prove this. Yet, despite starring performances in many movies, Ethan has yet to win an Oscar. Ethan has been nominated for the prestigious awards four times. His first nomination came in 2002. He was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor category for his role as Jake Hoyt in the 2001 movie Training Day. Ethan starred alongside legendary actor Denzel Washington in the classic. Denzel won the Best Actor Award for his role as Alonzo Harris in Training Day and gave his costar Ethan some words of wisdom after he lost the Best Supporting Actor award to Jim Broadbent.

Ethan discussed Denzel’s advice during a chat with CNN’s Chris Wallace on Max’s Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace. During the interview, Ethan revealed what Denzel whispered in his during the Oscars, saying, “You don’t want an award to improve your status. You want to improve the award’s status.” When asked if he would have preferred winning the Oscar in 2002, Ethan replied, “No… I mean, yeah, I guess. I was at the Oscars sitting next to Denzel Washington and nominated against Ian McKellen.” He added, “I had already won. It was impossible for me not to see it any other way.”

As Denzel rightly said, Ethan doesn’t need an award to improve his status. Despite never winning an Oscar, he remains one of the best in his profession. Throughout his career, Ethan has adapted to the times and ensured he is good enough to play any role. Unsurprisingly, he has a rich movie list and has excelled in most of them. However, some stand out among the rest. Here are seven of Ethan Hawke’s best movie roles.

Read More: Denzel Washington’s 7 Most Unforgettable Roles

7. Dead Poets Society (1989)

Ethan Hawke always gives memorable performances in his movies, and his performance in the 1989 film Dead Poets Society didn’t disappoint. He portrayed schoolboy Todd Anderson, starring alongside the late Robin Williams, who played the inspirational English teacher John Keating. Despite being one of Ethan’s earliest Hollywood roles, he portrayed the creative and anxious Todd to perfection. Through Ethan’s portrayal of Todd, viewers understood the schoolboy’s need for caring and motivational people in his life. Dead Poets Society also gave movie lovers a glimpse of how well Ethan could handle such roles.

6. Gattaca (1997)

Ethan Hawke played Vincent Freeman in the 1997 sci-fi thriller. Gattaca was Andrew Niccol’s feature directorial debut, and he didn’t think of a better person to play his lead character than Ethan. The movie also starred Jude Law, Loren Dean, Ernest Borgnine, and others. Ethan’s character, Vincent, was born naturally but has to deal with surviving in a society with genetically engineered people whose best traits are enhanced. Vincent faces discrimination and struggles, which he must overcome if he wants to achieve his dream of going to space. Thanks to Ethan’s excellent portrayal of the movie’s main character, viewers can feel Vincent’s pain and understand his struggles as he deals with his challenges.

Read More: Ethan Hawke Net Worth 2023: What Is The Actor Worth?

5. The Before Trilogy (1995, 2004, 2013)

Ethan Hawke starred alongside Julie Delpy in this romantic trilogy directed by Richard Linklater. The first installment, Before Sunrise, premiered in 1995, followed by Before Sunset in 2004 and Before Midnight in 2013. In the trilogy, Ethan played an American student, Jesse, who fell in love with Céline, a French girl he met on a train. The trilogy follows the lovers as they grow older and navigate different phases of their lives separately and together. Ethan and Julie displayed great onscreen chemistry in the movie, which showcased his dynamism as an actor. Hence, it wasn’t surprising that Before Sunset and Before Midnight earned Academy Awards nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay.

4. Reality Bites (1994)

This Ben Stiller-directed romantic comedy told the story of a friend group who just finished college. It starred Winona Ryder as Lelaina Pierce, Ben Stiller as Michael Grates, and Ethan Hawke as Troy Dyer. As usual, Ethan excelled in his portrayal of the annoying yet charming Troy. Reality Bites is widely regarded as a Generation X movie, with many members of that generation considering it as Ethan’s definitive film.

3. First Reformed (2017)

Ethan Hawke showed his incredible ability to excel in just about any movie role with his five-star performance in First Reformed. In the film, he played Pastor Ernst Toller, a struggling local church leader dealing with a personal crisis. Ethan gave arguably one of his best acting performances in this role. Although the film focused on sensitive topics, it did so expertly, telling a powerful story backed by Ethan’s impressive acting.

2. Boyhood (2014)

Richard Linklater had every detail well-thought-out in directing this classic coming-of-age drama. The film starred Ethan Hawke alongside Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, and Ellar Coltrane. It told the story of Ella’s character Mason Evans Jr.’s childhood and adolescence while growing up in Texas. Ethan and Patricia play Mason’s divorced parents, while Lorelei portrays his sister, Samantha.

Incredibly, the movie’s filming began in 2002 and concluded in 2013. The lengthy production span was due to Richard’s quest for the film to be about growing up. Thus, the director developed the movie’s script year by year, incorporating each actor every step of the way. Also, the movie’s cast participated in writing its script and were allowed to include their life experiences in their character’s stories.

Ethan Hawke remained committed to his role in the movie and produced a strong and inspiring performance. The actor earned a second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. Additionally, Boyhood is also among Ethan’s most successful Box Office movies.

1. Training Day (2001)

This crime thriller is arguably the movie that really shot Ethan into the limelight. Starring alongside the iconic Denzel Washington is no mean feat, but Ethan held his own and delivered a memorable performance in the film. Ethan played police officer Jake Hoyt, who seeks promotion and has to pair Denzel’s cop, Detective Alonzo Harris, on a training mission. The police officers encounter life-threatening scenarios as they navigate the crime-ridden neighborhoods. Ethan delivered a flawless portrayal of his character, with Denzel’s superb acting ensuring Training Day remains a classic crime thriller to this day.

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Denzel Washington Movies: His Best Roles Yet

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Denzel Washington started his acting career in the 1980s. Since stepping into Hollywood, he has been involved in noteworthy films. Washington has won several awards and is often recognized for his roles in pushing the culture forward. His résumé is stacked with movies that have been blockbusters or gone on to win awards. There are too many to choose from when constructing a list of his best. However, we’ve managed to reel in nine standouts.

9. The Great Debaters (2007)

Some of Denzel Washington’s best work is when he depicts a real person. In The Great Debaters, he takes on the persona of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson of Wiley Coach. Not only does Washington star in it, but he also directed the 2007 film. This is one of his more important roles as the movie circulates around an all-Black college that defeats Harvard University in an academic debate. The plot is based on a true story, in which Denzel delivers a performance that shines a light on an essential fact in Black History and American History.

8. Inside Man (2006)

Some may want to see the bad guys get away, and some don’t. In Inside Man, Washington was up against a criminal mastermind he was no match for. It’s safe to say that Washington is comfortable portraying a police officer. However, this time, he isn’t dirty. Also, he once again works with director Spike Lee. This is their fourth movie together as they have collaborated on Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, and He Got Game. This might be their best one yet.

7. Philadelphia (1993)

Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks joined forces early in their career. Long before they became the men they are today, the two starred in Philadelphia. Hanks plays a gay man suing his employer for firing him because he has AIDS. Washington portrays his lawyer, who was initially unwilling to take the case. This is one of the first big-screen Hollywood films to shed light on many certain shunned issues. Philadelphia touched on LGBTQ issues, HIV/AIDS epidemic, and discrimination.

6. Training Day (2001)

Training Day might be Denzel’s most popular role. Everyone remembers Alonzo screaming, “King Kong ain’t got s*** on me!” Time and time again, Washington proves that there isn’t a role he can’t conquer. Playing a dirty cop, you hated him and were relieved when he was murdered. Washington made you feel a way with this role, as many people will always discuss Training Day when discussing the actor’s career. The two main actors in the film, Washington and Ethan Hawke, won Oscars for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.

5. American Gangster (2007)

There is not a role that Denzel Washington can’t play. Whether he’s a fighter, pilot, coach, or cop, Washington makes it look effortless. He does it again in American Gangster as he plays notorious Harlem crime boss Frank Lucas. In another biopic for Washington, he embodies Lucas. It’s almost as if the characters and the setting aren’t new to him. After all, he is from New York, so he may be familiar with tales of Lucas’s street life moves. 

4. Glory (1989)

In 1989, Denzel received his first Oscar for his role in Glory. He won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Private Silas Trip. In Glory, the film focuses on Black men’s contributions to the Civil War. It was one of the first big-screen Hollywood movies to shed light on Black soldiers then. This was just the beginning for Washington.

3. Malcolm X (1992)

The way Denzel portrays real people is unmatched. In Malcolm X, he acts and narrates the story of the late-great activist. From the slick back hair to the speech, Washington makes for the splitting image of Malcolm. With Denzel portraying one of the most influential figures in history, he may have had similar views to Malcolm. The film earned Washington an Oscar nomination.

2. Fences (2016)

Decades later and he still knows how to give life to a character. In 2016, Denzel shone as Troy in Fences, with Viola Davis playing Rose, his wife. The film received several nominations and took home a few awards. In fact, Washington himself won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play.  Fences was originally a play that first opened in 1985. It was revived in 2010 on Broadway. Washington and Davis starred in the play as well. Washington also won Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture for the film.

1. Remember the Titans (2000)

Denzel Washington simply excelled as Coach Herman Boone in Remember the Titans. Based on a true story, Washington embodies Coach Boone’s hard-nosed leadership attributes. It’s easy to get sucked into this film as you might even believe Washington really coaches high school football or has before. Remember the Titans is easily one of the best sports films ever.  A movie about a team coming together during the time of segregation is powerful to see. Washington leads the way with an all-time performance.

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Snoop Dogg Apparently Got Harassed By Bloods On Set Of ‘Training Day’

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Snoop Dogg Hints New Album 'Make America Crip Again'

In a new interview with The Art of Dialogue, gangsta rap pioneer Spice-1 revealed that Snoop Dogg was harassed by Bloods while on the set of Antoine Fuqua’s 2001 crime thriller Training Day, starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke.

Training Day was known for showing a different side to L.A., opting to film in locations such as East L.A., Compton, Watts, and South Central, many areas of which were home to the Bloods. Snoop’s presence apparently wasn’t welcome, because he was a Crip, leading to Bloods harassing him while on set. Spice-1 apparently heard Snoop was being harassed, and came to the set to put an end to it.

“I’m out in L.A. OG Crip homie hit me and he was like, ‘Spice, they at Snoop’s trailer. It’s some Blood niggas over there throwing bottles at Snoop trailer,’” Spice recalled. “He didn’t say Blood niggas because, you know, he ain’t gonna say that, but that’s what he tell me.

“I’m like, ‘Oh!’ In so many words, he was like, ‘Go over there and try to calm them n-ggas down. They’ll listen to you.’ And I’m thinking in the back of my head like, ‘Man, them n-ggas ain’t gonna listen to me. These n-ggas don’t know me.’ But since the OG n-gga said go over there and holla at them.”

Spice added that once he got there, the Bloods stopped throwing bottles at Snoop’s trailer. He asked if they has some weed, and told them that the police were coming. Spice then said that he and the Bloods went around the corner to smoke, and the cops passed by, but left them alone.

“So I go over there. I see them and they look at me and they’re like, ‘Damn, Blood! That look like Spice-1, Blood! I’m like, ‘It is me, nigga! Y’all ain’t got no weed? What’s happening?’

“I was like, ‘Man, they saying y’all were throwing bottles at Snoop’s trailer and shit. The muthafuckas about to call the police. We need to get the fuck outta here ’cause they might be coming.’ And they was like, ‘OK, cool. Let’s bounce the fuck up outta here.’ Niggas ain’t trying to see the [police] anyway.”

He added: “So we bounced, walked around the corner and started smoking some weed, wait for the po-pos to smash through. They drove through and left. I dapped the niggas and bounced out and went to Snoop’s trailer and started chopping it up with him for a minute, smoking some weed or whatever. I don’t think he knew what I was there for.”

You can watch the clip below.

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