Ethan Hawke is remembering his former co-star Robin Williams.
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During a speech at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic, Hawke recalled working with the actor during 1989’s “Dead Poets Society" and how they didn't hit off at first.
“I thought Robin hated me. He had a habit of making a ton of jokes on set. At 18, I found that incredibly irritating. He wouldn’t stop and I wouldn’t laugh at anything he did,” the 50-year-old said, according to Variety.
Hawke elaborated on his working relationship with Williams.
"There was this scene in the film when he makes me spontaneously make up a poem in front of the class," he added. "He made this joke at the end of it, saying that he found me intimidating. I thought it was a joke."
Now a veteran actor and a father of four, Hawke shared how his view of Williams' joke has changed.
"As I get older, I realize there is something intimidating about young people’s earnestness, their intensity. It is intimidating -- to be the person they think you are. Robin was that for me,” Hawke said.
In "Dead Poets Society," Hawke portrayed a high school student who develops a strong bond with his English teacher, played by Williams. The two actors would go on to form a good friendship together.
As for Williams, the famous comedian and actor died by suicide in 2014 at 63. Later after his death, it was revealed that he had been battling a degenerative condition, Lewy body dementia (LBD).
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In July, Williams’ son, Zak, discussed his father’s struggles with mental health before the comedian’s death. He gave an emotional confession on “The Genius Life” podcast with host Max Lugavre, sharing details about his father’s early-onset dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
“What I found was someone who was having challenges performing his craft. And that was really irritating for him. Because when you’re a performer, it goes beyond taking pride in performing. It’s your livelihood, and suddenly that becomes challenging,” Williams said on the podcast.
He continued, “I think many [men] feel isolated; many don’t have the outlets needed.”
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