Ethan Hawke On The Role That Pushed Him To His Limit

Terry Gross interviews Ethan Hawke about his recent projects, including "Blue Moon," where he plays Lorenz Hart, "Black Phone 2," "The Lowdown," and his documentary on Merle Haggard. Hawke discusses the challenges of portraying complex characters, his experiences with stage fright, and the impact of time and aging on his work and perspective. He reflects on the influence of River Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman on his career and personal growth, and shares insights gained from his documentary work and relationship with pianist Seymour Bernstein. The conversation also touches on Hawke's early religious influences and his current perspective on faith and art.