Ethan Hawke Opens Up About Losing The Oscar Race For Training Day (And What Denzel Washington Was ‘Right’ About)

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Ethan Hawke consistently delivers enjoyable performances in his films, and while he’s had a long and impressive career, *Training Day* is arguably one of his most memorable roles. He received critical acclaim for his performance in the 2001 crime drama, alongside Denzel Washington. Though he didn’t win an Oscar like Washington, he did receive valuable advice from his co-star about the loss, and later realized Washington was absolutely right.

Ethan Hawke received a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 74th Academy Awards, competing against well-known actors like Ben Kingsley, Ian McKellen, Jim Broadbent, and Jon Voight. Jim Broadbent eventually won the award for his role in *Iris*. You might expect Hawke to have been disappointed by the loss, but he shared on Variety’s *Awards Circuit Podcast* that a thoughtful comment from a colleague helped him see things differently.

Denzel once told me something I didn’t understand at the time: ‘Don’t rush success; it will be far more rewarding if it comes later.’ Looking back, he was absolutely right.

Ethan Hawke’s first Academy Award nomination was a significant moment, and it’s easy to see why he felt the way he did. While winning would have been thrilling, he suggested that receiving the award so early in his career might have diminished its meaning. He believes an honor is more deeply appreciated after years of hard work, and I think he’s right. It’s really nice to hear this perspective from Hawke and his well-known colleague – it feels honest and genuine.

The movie *Training Day* (now streaming on Netflix) follows Jake Hoyt, a new LAPD officer hoping to become part of the narcotics division. As a test, he spends a day with respected detective Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington) and quickly discovers Harris is actually a corrupt and dangerous cop.

Ethan Hawke gave a powerful performance in the thriller film from the 2000s, and his Oscar nomination was well-earned. Although he didn’t win, Hawke was thrilled just to be recognized for his work. In a recent interview with Variety, he shared the story of finding out he’d been nominated.

I was at home when I saw the news on CNN, and it felt incredibly strange. I actually had a dentist appointment earlier that day – which is unusual for me – and I used it as a reason to cancel. Then Denzel Washington called and explained why he was so pleased about my nomination: he believed it meant the movie had reached a wide audience, and that would increase his chances of winning an award.

More on Training Day

Terry Crews shared the story of how a small role as an extra in the movie *Training Day*, starring Denzel Washington, unexpectedly kickstarted his acting career.

Denzel Washington is known for his composure, and he appeared to handle the recent awards season with ease. He won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Harris, making him just the second Black actor to receive that honor. His performance as Alonzo is both frightening and captivating – the famous “King Kong” scene is unforgettable. While Washington doesn’t seem overly concerned with awards, many would have been shocked if he hadn’t won for such an outstanding role. It was a truly exceptional performance, a rare and brilliant moment in acting.

Ethan Hawke has been nominated for an Academy Award three additional times – twice for adapting screenplays and once for Best Supporting Actor. Now, many believe he’s a strong contender for awards this year thanks to his leading role in Richard Linklater’s *Blue Moon*. He’s expected to receive several nominations in the coming months, potentially including an Oscar nomination. However, given his past comments about *Training Day*, it seems unlikely he’ll be overly concerned with winning awards, though fans would certainly enjoy seeing him take home a trophy.

You can experience the range of Ethan Hawke’s acting in his new movies, *Blue Moon* and *The Black Phone 2*, both currently showing in theaters as part of the 2025 film lineup.

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2025-10-20 00:08