Ethan Hawke Reveals the Life-Altering Oscar Advice From Denzel Washington: ‘Losing Was Better’

When Ethan Hawke lost the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor to Jim Broadbent in 2002, it might have been a disappointing moment for the rising star. But, as Hawke recently revealed, Denzel Washington—his co-star in Training Day—offered words of wisdom that reshaped how he viewed the experience.

Setting the Scene: Training Day at the Oscars

Training Day was a critical and commercial success, earning both Washington and Hawke Oscar nominations. Washington’s portrayal of the morally corrupt Detective Alonzo Harris won him the Best Actor award, cementing his place in Hollywood history. For Hawke, nominated as Best Supporting Actor for his role as rookie cop Jake Hoyt, the night ended differently—Broadbent took home the award for his performance in Iris.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Washington turned to Hawke with a message that would stay with him: “It’s better that you didn’t win. Losing was better.”

The Philosophy Behind the Words

Hawke, in a recent interview on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?, shared that Washington’s advice wasn’t just a pat on the back. “You don’t want an award to improve your status,” Washington told him. “You want to improve the award’s status.”

For Washington, who had already secured his first Oscar years before and would win again that night, the words reflected a career-long philosophy: awards are not the measure of an actor’s worth. Instead, it’s the quality of the work that matters. Hawke took this to heart, describing Washington as a mentor whose perspective helped him see his craft—and the trappings of fame—in a new light.

A Mentor’s Legacy

Hawke’s admiration for Washington goes beyond that single piece of advice. He has often compared working with Washington to learning from a legend, calling him the “Babe Ruth” of acting. This analogy speaks to the level of respect and influence Washington has had on his younger co-star.

The wisdom Washington shared extended beyond the Oscars themselves. By shifting the focus from the validation of awards to the integrity of one’s work, he offered a framework that could guide any artist over the long term. It’s an approach that Hawke has carried with him throughout a career that has earned him four Oscar nominations and a reputation for consistently nuanced, thoughtful performances.

A Lesson in Resilience

For Ethan Hawke, Washington’s advice turned a potentially discouraging moment into a powerful reminder of what truly matters in the world of acting. As he continued to hone his craft and take on challenging roles, those words likely remained a touchstone. They reinforced a commitment to artistic growth, proving that sometimes, losing can offer a more profound lesson than winning.