Ethan Hawke recently reflected on his divorce, as he explains what truly hurts. In a new interview, the “Before Sunrise” actor said press attention can inflame things, yet family strain was the core issue. He kept details limited, honoring long-standing promises to his kids. However, he did speak about co-parenting realities and the challenge of moving on. As it was, the interview threaded candor with restraint, while centering on children and day-to-day life.
Ethan Hawke reveals he’s ‘envious of people who have amicable splits’
As per the Los Angeles Times interview, Ethan Hawke said, “The public eye is like gasoline, but what makes divorce hard is the stuff that makes it hard for everyone — the family elements, how to help the kids through it.” He then added, “I’m so envious of people who have amicable splits.”
For context, Hawke and Uma Thurman divorced in 2005. They share two children, Maya and Levon Hawke. He later married producer Ryan Shawhughes, with whom he has daughters Clementine and Indiana. Even so, he avoids rehashing the past. He explained, “I can’t really talk about this because I vowed to my kids so many times not to talk about the divorce in public.”
Nevertheless, he widened the lens beyond celebrity. In the same exchange, he noted, “If you get the privilege of travelling the world, you realise that everywhere men and women have a tremendous amount of difficulty staying married.” The remarks frame his view about marriage problems as universal rather than celebrity or Hollywood-specific.
Hawke also described how a hard reset eventually gave way to a new chapter. Speaking of Shawhughes, he said, “When I split up I was hellbent on not having any more kids and I wanted to be single for the rest of my life. But then I made a best friend and I liked kissing her.” Taken together, the takeaway from Hawke’s divorce talk is clear. The star emphasized kids first, quiet boundaries, and realism about marriage. Moreover, the interview underscored that public drama fades, while family logistics last.
