Ethan Hawke, aged 52, and his wife, Ryan Shawhughes, graced the red carpet with beaming smiles during a rare public appearance at the prestigious 2022 Gotham Awards held in Los Angeles.
The actor, known for his roles in various films, and his producer partner, Ryan, who have been married for 14 years, usually prefer to keep their relationship out of the spotlight nowadays.
This is quite amusing considering the intense attention their early relationship garnered.
Back in the early 2000s, Ethan Hawke was part of one of Hollywood’s most talked-about power couples when he was married to Uma Thurman, the renowned Kill Bill star.
Their unexpected separation in 2003 sent shockwaves through Tinseltown.
Despite the challenges they faced, Ethan eventually found love again, albeit through an unconventional route.
How did Ethan and Ryan’s paths cross?
Ryan actually started off as the nanny for Ethan and Uma’s children.
The two actors embarked on a whirlwind romance after meeting on the set of the science fiction thriller Gattaca in 1996, leading to their marriage in 1998.
Prior to her relationship with Ethan, Uma Thurman had been wed to British actor Gary Oldman from 1990 to 1992.
Together, Ethan and Uma welcomed their daughter Maya Hawke in 1998, who later ventured into acting with notable roles in hit series such as Stranger Things.
In 2002, their family expanded with the birth of their son, Levon Roan.
Their marriage faced turmoil in 2003 amidst accusations of infidelity involving Ryan, culminating in their divorce being finalized in 2005.
How did Ethan address the cheating allegations?
Ethan Hawke vehemently refuted any suggestions of impropriety during his marriage to Uma Thurman.
In a 2009 interview with The Guardian, the Dead Poet’s Society star recounted how Ryan had returned to college to pursue her degree after a brief stint working with him.
Their rekindled connection occurred a year following Ethan and Uma’s split, coincidentally meeting each other by chance.
He emphasized, ‘There were no scandalous intentions or behaviors during that time.
People may envision a romantic tale akin to The Sound Of Music, but the reality is that by the time Ryan and I fell in love, it had been a considerable period since she worked for me.’
When did they exchange vows?
Speculation arose in 2008 suggesting that Ethan and Ryan had secretly wed after they were spotted in New York City wearing what appeared to be wedding rings.
Eventually, their agent confirmed that the couple indeed tied the knot in a clandestine ceremony in New York that June.
Their joy extended further with the birth of their daughter, Clementine Jane, a month post their wedding.
Subsequently, they welcomed their second daughter, Indiana, in 2011.
In a 2009 interview, Ethan showered praise on his wife, referring to her as a ‘wonderful, joyful new mother, an excellent stepmother, a genuine source of healing in our family, and a much-needed companion for me.’
