Throughout his life, actor Robin Williams inspired many actors, so it was really heartbreaking for everyone when it was announced that the actor passed away. One of the stars that he inspired was actor Ethan Hawke. 1989’s Dead Poets Society was Hawke’s third Hollywood movie and he got the opportunity to work with Williams in the movie.

Hawke once recalled that he was trying to maintain a serious approach to his character in the 1989 movie, however, Williams constantly made everyone laugh on the sets. Hawke just ignored his jokes because of his role and it was rumored that Williams started hating Hawke because he had a wrong idea.

Why did Ethan Hawke hate Robin Williams’ jokes?

Robin Williams and Ethan Hawke in Dead Poets Society

In 2018, actor Ethan Hawke appeared on The Graham Norton Show and talked about legendary actor Robin Williams‘ influence on his career. Hawke recalled that he was trying to stay in character off-camera as well but Williams constantly tried to make him laugh on the sets of Dead Poets Society (1989),

“He was incredibly funny. He was very relaxed and very inventive, he would just improv constantly, all day long, and the more the crew laughed, the more [he would go on]. I really wanted to be a serious actor. I had read Stanislavski and I had what was supposed to be in my pockets and I really wanted to be in character. I really didn’t want to laugh. The more I didn’t laugh, the more insane he got.”

While Hawke hated Williams for ruining his acting approach, Williams hated Hawke for ignoring his jokes.

Robin Williams kickstarted Ethan Hawke’s career

Ethan Hawke in Dead Poets Society

Further in the interview, Hawke revealed that after the movie, he got a call from Williams’ agent, who told him that the actor asked his agent to sign Hawke,

“I got this call and it was from a big Hollywood agent. This guy said: ‘I’m Robin Williams’ agent and he says you’re gonna be somebody and that I should sign you.’”

In the movie, Williams played John Keating, an English teacher, who encourages his students to break free from the norm.

Dead Poets Society changed Ethan Hawke’s life

Ethan Hawke in Dead Poets Society

1989’s Dead Poets Society massively contributed to making Ethan Hawke a household name, in fact, the movie was the reason why Hawke took acting seriously as he once recalled,
“I didn’t want to be an actor and I went back to college. But then the [film’s] success was so monumental that I was getting offers to be in such interesting movies and be in such interesting places, and it seemed silly to pursue anything else.”

The film was a financial success as well, earning $235 million at the global box office on a production budget of roughly $16 million.