Ethan Hawke’s Brutally Honest Take on Robin Williams: “Extremely Irritating”

Ethan Hawke once thought working with Robin Williams was a nightmare. Long before their relationship turned into one of respect and mentorship, the two actors struggled to connect on the set of Dead Poets Society.

The film was released in 1989, and Hawke was only 18 years old at the time. He took acting very seriously and was focused on staying in character. Robin Williams, on the other hand, was known for nonstop jokes and constant improvisation. That clash in energy made things uncomfortable for the young actor.

In later interviews, Hawke admitted he felt completely overwhelmed. “I thought Robin hated me. He had a habit of making a ton of jokes on set. At 18, I found that incredibly irritating. He wouldn’t stop and I wouldn’t laugh at anything he did,” Hawke said, according to past interview comments that have resurfaced online. While everyone else on set was laughing, Hawke felt singled out and confused.

Things came to a head during a classroom scene where Williams’s character forces Hawke’s character to make up a poem on the spot. Hawke said he felt exposed and believed Williams was pushing him as a joke. After the scene, Williams told him he actually found Hawke intimidating. At the time, Hawke brushed it off, assuming it was more sarcasm.

Years later, Hawke realized he had misunderstood the situation. He came to see that Williams wasn’t mocking him at all. He was impressed. Williams recognized something powerful and serious in the young actor that stood out. According to Hawke, Williams was so taken by his performance that he called his own agent and insisted they sign Hawke, believing he would become a major star.

That experience also changed how Hawke viewed acting. Watching Williams freely ignore the script was shocking to him. “Robin Williams didn’t do the script, and I didn’t know you could do that,” Hawke later said. Seeing that level of freedom helped him understand that acting didn’t always have to follow strict rules.

Now in 2026, Hawke’s career reflects the potential Williams saw all those years ago. He recently earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role as Lorenz Hart in the film Blue Moon. Hawke shared that the nomination was especially meaningful because it came from a long creative partnership with director Richard Linklater.

Hawke is also staying busy with new projects. His historical drama The Weight premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. In the film, he stars alongside Russell Crowe and plays a widower caught up with gold smugglers in 1930s Oregon. He is also preparing for his tenth collaboration with Linklater on a new period film that he has described as deeply ambitious.

Beyond acting, Hawke has expanded his work behind the camera. He recently directed the biopic Wildcat and the documentary Highway 99: A Double Album. Over the years, he has become known as a thoughtful voice in Hollywood, often speaking about protecting creativity in an industry dominated by big-budget films.

What began as irritation and misunderstanding between a teenager and a comedy legend turned into a moment that helped shape Hawke’s career. Looking back, it’s clear that Robin Williams wasn’t being cruel or dismissive. He was challenging someone he truly believed in.

What do you think about Ethan Hawke realizing Robin Williams was actually impressed by him? Share your thoughts in the comments.