By India McCarty
Star Ethan Hawke says fame is “poison” for a young actor’s brain.
“I think celebrity is like a tiny drop of mercury. Or it’s poison. It’s poison for your brain,” he said during an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
Hawke began acting at 14 but, after some career setbacks, left Hollywood to finish high school and start attending college. He eventually dropped out to star in DEAD POET’S SOCIETY, which kickstarted his acting career.
Reflecting on how different things would’ve been for him if he had continued acting as a young teenager, Hawke said, “To be a professional actor at a young age, it’s dangerous in extremely insidious ways that are very, very hard to perceive when it’s happening.”
Related: RIVERDALE Star Cole Sprouse Opens Up About The Effects Fame Has On Child Stars
“It came so slowly for me,” he said of his fame, adding that he would not have wanted overnight success.
Hawke explained, “I think that’s a huge thing to absorb, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I’ve worked hard to handle it as poorly or well as I have.”
While the actor was wary of the pitfalls of acting and stardom at a young age, he recently spoke to actress Sydney Sweeney in a Variety interview about his daughter Maya Hawke’s career.
“It was without complication,” Hawke said of his feelings about her entering the world of acting. “I knew when she was about 4 that she was gonna be an artist. And I knew that she was gonna be a very good one. That was her safe place, watercoloring, dancing, singing all throughout her childhood….anything that had to do with human communication was something she vibrated to.”
He added, “I never worried about her going into the arts, because I knew that was gonna save her life.”
Hawke shares Maya and son Levon with ex-wife and fellow actress Uma Thurman, who has also spoken about what it’s like to watch their children enter creative fields. Maya is an actress and singer-songwriter, while Levon is an actor and director.
“As a mother, you know, honestly, I’m so proud of them and they’re so together, and honestly, seeing your kids kind of surpass you is awesome,” Thurman said during an appearance on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS. “I just think they’re amazing. I think they’re so talented. And so you’re always anxious that the circumstances all support the best outcome. The only thing that makes me nervous is I want them to have the best circumstances.”
Hawke is one of many actors who have a complicated relationship with their fame and hope to help other young stars avoid the pitfalls of celebrity.
Read Next: Former Child Stars Talk Fame’s Toll
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