Ethan Hawke in the Spotlight: From Nova Scotia Defense to Fifth Oscar Nod

Actor Ethan Hawke is having a notably busy and celebrated start to 2026, making headlines for his spirited defense of Nova Scotia on Netflix’s “Chelsea Handler,” securing his fifth career Academy Award nomination for his role as Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart in “Blue Moon,” and preparing for a high-profile appearance at the Sundance Film Festival. These recent developments underscore Hawke’s diverse engagements, from his deep personal connection to Canada’s East Coast to his continued artistic recognition in Hollywood and his active participation in the independent film scene.

Hawke’s Passionate Defense of Nova Scotia

Ethan Hawke recently found himself playfully but firmly pushing back against celebrity interviewer Chelsea Handler’s questioning of his affection for Nova Scotia during a segment on her Netflix talk show, “Chelsea.” When Handler asked, “Why do you go to Nova Scotia? Is your wife from there?” Hawke quickly retorted, “What’s with the tone? I mean, I really feel like I hurt your feelings a long time ago or something.” The exchange highlighted Hawke’s profound and long-standing connection to the Canadian province, where he has owned a vacation retreat in Guysborough County for approximately 25 years.

Hawke, 55, frequently brings his four children to the area for quiet family time, and he is often seen mingling with local community members. His fondness for Nova Scotia runs deep, originating in the late 1990s when he attended a writing retreat in Cape Breton. He and his then-wife, Uma Thurman, purchased property shortly thereafter, and Hawke quickly developed what he describes as a “deep spiritual connection” to the region’s vibe and culture.

During the interview, Handler continued to press Hawke for an explanation of his attachment, prompting him to playfully defend his choices. “Look, you’re from Livingston, New Jersey and you’re mocking Nova Scotia? I don’t think this is fair,” Hawke quipped. Handler’s playful jabs, including a reference to a fictional health department shutdown in his hometown, only seemed to solidify Hawke’s resolve to champion the province.

Hawke has consistently praised Nova Scotia for its tranquility, friendliness, and untouched natural beauty. In a 2016 interview with WBUR radio’s “Here & Now,” he described it as “ungentrified. It’s wild, and it’s raw and it’s unpretentious.” He added, “I found there’s something really healing. The horizon is always there, the place is wild. You can almost feel the Earth turning. And all of a sudden, the melodramas of the life of an actor get placed in a perspective that is very helpful for me. And I’ve fallen in love with some people out there.”

His connection to Nova Scotia also influenced his professional career. About a decade ago, Hawke actively pursued the role of Everett Lewis, the husband of renowned Nova Scotia folk artist Maud Lewis, in the biopic Maudie. He told The Knockturnal in 2016, “About 15 or so years ago, I escaped to Nova Scotia. It was a place I’d met through friends, and I was having a difficult time in my life, and I ended up buying a cabin there and disappearing there. And I grew to love it there and I met people.” His familiarity with the local accent and the lives of fishermen proved invaluable for his critically acclaimed performance alongside Sally Hawkins.

Beyond his personal enjoyment, Hawke has also taken a significant interest in preserving Nova Scotia’s natural landscape and resources, particularly in relation to the Mi’kmaq community and local waterways. In 2015, he joined tribal leaders and elders at a news conference at the Paqtnkek-Niktuek Reserve to advocate for an oil drilling moratorium in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. “I’m largely here as your neighbour and your friend and a friend to this area,” Hawke stated at the time. “The one thing I can do as the one actor in the community is to blab a little bit and to sit next to really intelligent, dedicated people who are working extremely hard to protect this beautiful water.”

More recently, last summer, Hawke extended his support to a fundraising project for the Mulgrave Road Theatre in Guysborough. Sharing photos on the theatre’s Facebook page, he expressed his unequivocal support for the facility and its role in community development, stating, “Our conversation about the intersection of theatre and community development was inspiring, and something I can get behind.”

Fifth Oscar Nod for ‘Blue Moon’

In a significant professional milestone, Ethan Hawke has received his fifth career Academy Award nomination for his performance in the 2025 film “Blue Moon.” This nomination, for his portrayal of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart, places him among the elite recognized by the Academy. His previous acting nominations include roles in critically acclaimed films such as Training Day and Boyhood.

The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced recently, setting the stage for the prestigious ceremony on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The film “Sinners” leads the pack with a record-breaking 16 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and three acting nods. It is closely followed by “One Battle After Another,” which garnered 13 nominations.

While Hawke celebrates his nomination, the awards season has also seen some notable snubs. “Wicked: For Good,” the second part of the film adaptation, surprisingly received no nominations, a stark contrast to the first “Wicked” film’s ten nominations last year. Despite critical acclaim for their performances, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who were nominated for the first movie, were not recognized for their work in the sequel. Similarly, Stephen Schwartz’s new songs for “Wicked: For Good,” “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble,” were eligible but overlooked in the Best Original Song category.

Other highlights from the final nominees list include Jessie Buckley, who earned a Best Actress nomination for her emotional performance as Agnes Shakespeare in “Hamnet,” adding to her Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Awards for the role. Notable acting nominations also went to Kate Hudson for “Song Sung Blue,” Emma Stone for “Bugonia,” Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme,” Leonardo DiCaprio for “One Battle After Another,” and Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners.” The 98th Oscars promise to be a star-studded event, televised live on ABC and in over 200 territories worldwide.

Sundance Appearance and Ongoing Career

Adding to his busy schedule, Ethan Hawke is also slated to participate in TheWrap’s Sundance Interview Series during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. TheWrap will be returning to Park City from January 23-26 to host in-depth conversations with the cast and filmmakers behind many of the festival’s most anticipated premieres. Hawke will join a distinguished roster of talent, including Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, Olivia Wilde, Olivia Colman, Seth Rogen, Channing Tatum, Peter Dinklage, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Edward Norton, and Kate McKinnon, among many others.

This appearance at Sundance underscores Hawke’s enduring relevance and commitment to the independent film community, a space he has navigated skillfully throughout his extensive career. With more than 100 acting credits, Hawke has built a formidable resume since his breakout roles in films like Dead Poets Society. His career demonstrates a consistent drive to balance mainstream success with artistically challenging projects, often choosing roles that resonate with his personal interests and values.

Ethan Hawke’s recent activities paint a picture of an artist whose career is defined not just by critical acclaim but also by genuine personal engagement. His passionate advocacy for Nova Scotia, rooted in decades of personal connection and environmental stewardship, alongside his continued recognition in Hollywood’s most prestigious awards, highlights a public persona that seamlessly blends artistic integrity with authentic commitment to the places and causes he holds dear.