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Ethan Hawke Jokes He'd Time Travel to Steal Career-Defining Role from Billy Crudup

Ethan Hawke revealed on Jimmy Fallon's show that he and Billy Crudup were frequent competitors for roles as young actors. He humorously lamented passing on a Tom Stoppard play, a role that then went to Crudup and helped launch his successful stage career. The two actors later became friends and co-starred in a Stoppard trilogy, both earning Tony nominations. Hawke, who recently received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, reflected on this early rivalry with fondness and jest.

Key Points: Ethan Hawke Reveals Role He Wishes He Took from Billy Crudup

  • Hawke and Crudup were early career rivals
  • Hawke passed on a Tom Stoppard play
  • Crudup took the role and his career soared
  • Both later starred together in a play
  • Hawke recently earned his first Best Actor Oscar nod
2 min read

Ethan Hawke sheds light on role he wishes he could 'go back in time' and take from former rival

Ethan Hawke shares a funny rivalry-turned-friendship story with Billy Crudup, revealing the one play role he regrets passing up.

"sometimes, I just want to go back in time, take the part, to stop his career - Ethan Hawke"

Los Angeles, Feb 9

Hollywood actor Ethan Hawke has said that, as a young actor, he was often facing off against a now-friend for roles, Billy Crudup.

The actor recently attended the episode of 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'. The 55-year-old actor shared that Crudup "happens to be a friend of mine, but not at first", reports 'People' magazine.

He said, "Because we used to go up, we used to audition for everything (together). And you know when you're a kid, you think you're against everybody, right? You don't understand that there's room for everybody to find themselves, to do their thing".

He further mentioned, "So I would see him at every audition. I'd often have to be outside the room, and listen to him do the scene before me. And he was so good. It was so irritating. In fact, I was offered a play once, I think he knows this, and I had to say no to it, because I was doing a movie".

"It was a Tom Stoppard play. And they gave him the part, and then his career blew up. And sometimes, I just want to go back in time, take the part, to stop his career", he added.

As per 'People', Billy Crudup starred in the 1995 Broadway debut of Stoppard's play Arcadia as Septimus Hodge, later returning to the play's 2011 revival as a different character, Bernard Nightingale. Billy Crudup and Hawke starred alongside one another in the 2006 Stoppard trilogy of plays,The Coast of Utopia. Both actors were nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for their roles and Crudup ultimately won the award.

Ehtan Hawke recently earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role as lyricist Lorenz Hart in the 2025 Richard Linklater film Blue Moon. Hawke was previously nominated for Oscars in other categories, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting story, but honestly, the article feels a bit stretched. It's basically one anecdote from a talk show padded with Wikipedia-style career summaries. Would have loved more depth on their friendship or how the rivalry shaped his craft.
A
Arjun K
This reminds me of the stories about SRK and Salman Khan in their early days, or even the friendly competition between Aamir and Shah Rukh. Competition pushes you to be better. Billy Crudup getting that part was probably the best thing that could have happened to both their careers. Destiny has its own plans!
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in the creative field in Mumbai, this hits home. You always see that one person who seems to get every break. But Hawke is right—there is room for everyone. His late-career Oscar nomination is proof that success isn't a race, it's a marathon.
V
Vikram M
Good for him for being so honest! In our culture, we're often taught not to show envy or admit someone else is better. But acknowledging a rival's talent, and even joking about wanting to stop their career, shows a lot of self-awareness and security. More power to him.

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