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90s nostalgia
May 29, 2013

Photo Time-Lapse: See How Ethan Hawke Has Changed Over 25 Years

By Margaret Lyons

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Photo: New York Daily News Archive/1999/Daily News, L.P. (New York)

First came Dead Poets Society. Then Reality Bites. Then Before Sunrise came out in 1995. Ethan Hawke helped define the guy persona of the mid-nineties: artsy, casual, with dirty hair and a reluctant grin. (Bonus points for a guitar.) He even wrote poetry and made Hamlet. With the return of Jesse and Celine in Before Midnight, it seemed the perfect time to revisit the many looks of Ethan Hawke. Warning: Contains a lot of “funky” shirts.

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1 / 73 Photos
With fellow Dead Poets Allelon Ruggiero (left) and Robert Sean Leonard. They're just chillin' here — this is from the premiere of the Paul Newman movie Blaze. With fellow Dead Poets Allelon Ruggiero (left) and Robert Sean Leonard. They're just chillin' here — this is from the premiere of the Paul Newman movie Blaze.

With fellow Dead Poets Allelon Ruggiero (left) and Robert Sean Leonard. They're just chillin' here — this is from the premiere of the Paul Newman movi...

With fellow Dead Poets Allelon Ruggiero (left) and Robert Sean Leonard. They're just chillin' here — this is from the premiere of the Paul Newman movie Blaze.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd.
Aw, baby-faced for a 21-year-old. Aw, baby-faced for a 21-year-old.

Aw, baby-faced for a 21-year-old.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd.
With Sinead Cusack and Jeremy Irons at a premiere for Waterland, back when people openly smoked on the red carpet. With Sinead Cusack and Jeremy Irons at a premiere for Waterland, back when people openly smoked on the red carpet.

With Sinead Cusack and Jeremy Irons at a premiere for Waterland, back when people openly smoked on the red carpet.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd.
In 1993, everyone in America was legally required to invest in wide-wale corduroy. In 1993, everyone in America was legally required to invest in wide-wale corduroy.

In 1993, everyone in America was legally required to invest in wide-wale corduroy.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd.
Debut of the goatee! Mark it on your calendar and celebrate this day every year. Debut of the goatee! Mark it on your calendar and celebrate this day every year.

Debut of the goatee! Mark it on your calendar and celebrate this day every year.

Photo: Steve Eichner
Just a few months after Reality Bites opened. Ah, scruff. The nineties answer to everything. Just a few months after Reality Bites opened. Ah, scruff. The nineties answer to everything.

Just a few months after Reality Bites opened. Ah, scruff. The nineties answer to everything.

Photo: Ron Galella
With Julie Delpy at the premiere of Before Sunrise. Even marginal un-scruffiness seemed very formal back then. With Julie Delpy at the premiere of Before Sunrise. Even marginal un-scruffiness seemed very formal back then.

With Julie Delpy at the premiere of Before Sunrise. Even marginal un-scruffiness seemed very formal back then.

Photo: Jim Smeal
You could even smoke at the Obie Awards! Inside! You could even smoke at the Obie Awards! Inside!

You could even smoke at the Obie Awards! Inside!

Photo: Rose Hartman
T-rex arms and a bandana. It happens. T-rex arms and a bandana. It happens.

T-rex arms and a bandana. It happens.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd.
With Frank Whaley and some seriously wide lapels. With Frank Whaley and some seriously wide lapels.

With Frank Whaley and some seriously wide lapels.

Photo: Derek Storm
What are you chuckling about, Richard Linklater? What are you chuckling about, Richard Linklater?

What are you chuckling about, Richard Linklater?

Photo: Evan Agostini
Aw, sugar, c'mere. You have schmutz on your jacket. Aw, sugar, c'mere. You have schmutz on your jacket.

Aw, sugar, c'mere. You have schmutz on your jacket.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd.
That was a fun era. That was a fun era.

That was a fun era.

Photo: Robin Platzer
With Natasha Richardson. With Natasha Richardson.

With Natasha Richardson.

Photo: New York Daily News Archive/1999/Daily News, L.P. (New York)
Later that night, now with a pashmina. Later that night, now with a pashmina.

Later that night, now with a pashmina.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd.
Hats! Hats!

Hats!

Photo: New York Daily News Archive/1999/Daily News, L.P. (New York)
Oops, not "hats." HATS! Oops, not "hats." HATS!

Oops, not "hats." HATS!

Photo: New York Daily News Archive/1999/Daily News, L.P. (New York)
With Kyle MacLachlan at Sundance. With Kyle MacLachlan at Sundance.

With Kyle MacLachlan at Sundance.

Photo: J. Vespa/Call (212) 686-8900 or e-mail sales@wireimage.com to license WireImage images.
That's an awfully wan mustache. That's an awfully wan mustache.

That's an awfully wan mustache.

Photo: Brenda Chase
Stubble: Fine. Actual mustache: Fine. But stubble-mustache is best reserved for ninth-graders. Stubble: Fine. Actual mustache: Fine. But stubble-mustache is best reserved for ninth-graders.

Stubble: Fine. Actual mustache: Fine. But stubble-mustache is best reserved for ninth-graders.

Photo: Evan Agostini
See? Fuller mustache. Upgrade. See? Fuller mustache. Upgrade.

See? Fuller mustache. Upgrade.

Photo: Leandro Justen/? Patrick McMullan
Is it fun being a movie star? Oh, sometimes. Is it fun being a movie star? Oh, sometimes.

Is it fun being a movie star? Oh, sometimes.

Photo: George De Sota
But other times, your terrifying outfit decisions get photographed and will live on for all eternity. Is it possible that Quentin Tarantino is the best-dressed person in this photo? But other times, your terrifying outfit decisions get photographed and will live on for all eternity. Is it possible that Quentin Tarantino is the best-dressed person in this photo?

But other times, your terrifying outfit decisions get photographed and will live on for all eternity. Is it possible that Quentin Tarantino is the bes...

But other times, your terrifying outfit decisions get photographed and will live on for all eternity. Is it possible that Quentin Tarantino is the best-dressed person in this photo?

Photo: Dave Hogan
This was earlier that day. They went home and changed! This was earlier that day. They went home and changed!

This was earlier that day. They went home and changed!

Photo: GERARD JULIEN
Was piece-y hair still a thing in 2001? Someone scrounge up a Delia's catalogue. Was piece-y hair still a thing in 2001? Someone scrounge up a Delia's catalogue.

Was piece-y hair still a thing in 2001? Someone scrounge up a Delia's catalogue.

Photo: DOUG KANTER
So rumpled! Ahem, so perfectly rumpled. So rumpled! Ahem, so perfectly rumpled.

So rumpled! Ahem, so perfectly rumpled.

Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS
At the Lord of the Rings premiere. At the Lord of the Rings premiere.

At the Lord of the Rings premiere.

Photo: Lawrence Lucier
With Jennifer Connelly, Reese Witherspoon, and "funky" lapels. With Jennifer Connelly, Reese Witherspoon, and "funky" lapels.

With Jennifer Connelly, Reese Witherspoon, and "funky" lapels.

Photo: K Mazur/2002 Wireimage.com
Sigh. Sigh.

Sigh.

Photo: LUCY NICHOLSON
Let's have a jam sesh with Robert Sean Leonard and Kris Kristofferson. Too bad no one really remembers Chelsea Walls. Let's have a jam sesh with Robert Sean Leonard and Kris Kristofferson. Too bad no one really remembers Chelsea Walls.

Let's have a jam sesh with Robert Sean Leonard and Kris Kristofferson. Too bad no one really remembers Chelsea Walls.

Photo: J. Vespa
(It was that indie movie Hawke directed, set in the Chelsea Hotel.) (It was that indie movie Hawke directed, set in the Chelsea Hotel.)

(It was that indie movie Hawke directed, set in the Chelsea Hotel.)

Photo: Lawrence Lucier
Hey, Macaulay Culkin, can I bum a cigarette? Oh, sure, Ethan Hawke. No problem. Hey, Macaulay Culkin, can I bum a cigarette? Oh, sure, Ethan Hawke. No problem.

Hey, Macaulay Culkin, can I bum a cigarette? Oh, sure, Ethan Hawke. No problem.

Photo: New York Daily News Archive/2002/Daily News, L.P. (New York)
Oh, these hideous pants with the monstrous pockets? These are my reading pants, of course! Oh, these hideous pants with the monstrous pockets? These are my reading pants, of course!

Oh, these hideous pants with the monstrous pockets? These are my reading pants, of course!

Photo: Lawrence Lucier/2002 Getty Images
I spy a wallet chain. I spy a wallet chain.

I spy a wallet chain.

Photo: Douglas McFadd/2002 Getty Images
Cheer up, Ethan! You own a solid collection of brown jackets. Cheer up, Ethan! You own a solid collection of brown jackets.

Cheer up, Ethan! You own a solid collection of brown jackets.

Photo: John Li/2002 Getty Images
With Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi, and former U.S. congressman Tom Andrews. Maybe Ethan Hawke should guest star on American Horror Story. With Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi, and former U.S. congressman Tom Andrews. Maybe Ethan Hawke should guest star on American Horror Story.

With Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi, and former U.S. congressman Tom Andrews. Maybe Ethan Hawke should guest star on American Horror Story.

Photo: Matt...

With Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi, and former U.S. congressman Tom Andrews. Maybe Ethan Hawke should guest star on American Horror Story.

Photo: Matthew Peyton/2003 Getty Images
Return of the hats! Return of the hats!

Return of the hats!

Photo: Getty Images/2003 Getty Images
With Sheryl Crow. (And a weird air of surprise.) With Sheryl Crow. (And a weird air of surprise.)

With Sheryl Crow. (And a weird air of surprise.)

Photo: KMazur
Compare the patchy mustache on the poster to the clean-shaven Ethan Hawke. Compare the patchy mustache on the poster to the clean-shaven Ethan Hawke.

Compare the patchy mustache on the poster to the clean-shaven Ethan Hawke.

Photo: Evan Agostini/2003 Getty Images
Hey, a brown jacket. Hey, a brown jacket.

Hey, a brown jacket.

Photo: Evan Agostini/2003 Getty Images
Wish this were a brown jacket! Wish this were a brown jacket!

Wish this were a brown jacket!

Photo: Katy Winn/2004 Getty Images
Jeez Louise, these two do not age. Jeez Louise, these two do not age.

Jeez Louise, these two do not age.

Photo: TOM MAELSA/2004 AFP
At all. At all.

At all.

Photo: TOM MAELSA/2004 AFP
Ethan Hawke likes an unconventional shirt. Ethan Hawke likes an unconventional shirt.

Ethan Hawke likes an unconventional shirt.

Photo: Carlo Allegri/2004 Getty Images
And close talking with Angelina Jolie. But then, who doesn't like that? And close talking with Angelina Jolie. But then, who doesn't like that?

And close talking with Angelina Jolie. But then, who doesn't like that?

Photo: Carlo Allegri/2004 Getty Images
Leonardo DiCaprio wishes he had been in Dead Poets Society. Leonardo DiCaprio wishes he had been in Dead Poets Society.

Leonardo DiCaprio wishes he had been in Dead Poets Society.

Photo: Ray Amati/2004 Getty Images
Argh, grow in the beard a little more. Argh, grow in the beard a little more.

Argh, grow in the beard a little more.

Photo: Frazer Harrison/2004 Getty Images
The best part is that girl two seats down from Hawke making a barf face. The best part is that girl two seats down from Hawke making a barf face.

The best part is that girl two seats down from Hawke making a barf face.

Photo: Ezra Shaw/2004 Getty Images
Swoon. Swoon.

Swoon.

Photo: Evan Agostini/2004 Getty Images
With Scarlett Johansson. With Scarlett Johansson.

With Scarlett Johansson.

Photo: Carlo Allegri/2005 Getty Images
With Wallace Shawn. And noteably less rumpled. With Wallace Shawn. And noteably less rumpled.

With Wallace Shawn. And noteably less rumpled.

Photo: Brad Barket/2005 Getty Images
We've seen that embroidered jacket before. We've seen that embroidered jacket before.

We've seen that embroidered jacket before.

Photo: Thos Robinson/2005 Getty Images
Everyone looks schlubby next to Angela Bassett. Everyone looks schlubby next to Angela Bassett.

Everyone looks schlubby next to Angela Bassett.

Photo: Frank Micelotta/2005 Getty Images
Hat. (Everybody drink.) Hat. (Everybody drink.)

Hat. (Everybody drink.)

Photo: Sarah Lehberger/2005 Getty Images
With Wyclef. With Wyclef.

With Wyclef.

Photo: Donald Weber/2005 Getty Images
A-plus face from Jimmy Fallon. A-plus face from Jimmy Fallon.

A-plus face from Jimmy Fallon.

Photo: Djamilla Rosa Cochran
Same funky bandana shirt. Same funky bandana shirt.

Same funky bandana shirt.

Photo: Evan Agostini/2006 Getty Images
Another hat. And that embroidered jacket again. Another hat. And that embroidered jacket again.

Another hat. And that embroidered jacket again.

Photo: Scott Gries/2006 Getty Images
With Lauren Bacall. With Lauren Bacall.

With Lauren Bacall.

Photo: Peter Kramer/2007 Getty Images
Double hats! (With Donnie Wahlberg.) Double hats! (With Donnie Wahlberg.)

Double hats! (With Donnie Wahlberg.)

Photo: Elsa/2007 Getty Images
Is this when people were into mesh hats? Is this when people were into mesh hats?

Is this when people were into mesh hats?

Photo: Bryan Bedder/2008 Getty Images
Dapper! Dapper!

Dapper!

Photo: Rob Loud/2008 Getty Images
Also dapper! Though that might be a sliver of brown jacket peeking out. Also dapper! Though that might be a sliver of brown jacket peeking out.

Also dapper! Though that might be a sliver of brown jacket peeking out.

Photo: Jason Kempin/2011 Getty Images
Soccer-y. Soccer-y.

Soccer-y.

Photo: Joe Corrigan/2011 Getty Images
Looking sharp at the Obies. Looking sharp at the Obies.

Looking sharp at the Obies.

Photo: Mike Coppola/2011 Getty Images
Stylish and helpful. Stylish and helpful.

Stylish and helpful.

Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/2011 Getty Images
And majestic. And majestic.

And majestic.

Photo: Christine Pettinger/2011 Getty Images
And we're back to the hat business. And we're back to the hat business.

And we're back to the hat business.

Photo: Slaven Vlasic/2012 Getty Images
With his wife Ryan. With his wife Ryan.

With his wife Ryan.

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/2012 Getty Images
The bleached hair is for a role, thank god. The bleached hair is for a role, thank god.

The bleached hair is for a role, thank god.

Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/2013 Getty Images
Though it is dangerously Mark McGrath–y. Though it is dangerously Mark McGrath–y.

Though it is dangerously Mark McGrath–y.

Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/2013 Getty Images
Another hat! Full-ish 'stache, though. Another hat! Full-ish 'stache, though.

Another hat! Full-ish 'stache, though.

Photo: Jemal Countess/2013 Getty Images
And the goatee is back, too. And the goatee is back, too.

And the goatee is back, too.

Photo: Frederick M. Brown/2013 Getty Images
1 / 73

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  • 90s nostalgia

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