What did Ethan Hawke and Sydney Sweeney discuss about acting?

They discussed the joys of fully immersing oneself in a character and the courage it takes to perform challenging roles.

How did Sydney Sweeney prepare for her role in "Christy"?

Sydney Sweeney gained 35 pounds, trained extensively, and embraced the physical demands of portraying boxer Christy Martin.

What advice did Ethan Hawke give about acting?

Hawke emphasized that acting is about not about the actor but about losing oneself, and he shared methods for memorizing dialogue.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Hawke & Sweeney: On Losing Yourself in Roles

Hawke & Sweeney: On Losing Yourself in Roles

11 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Hawke and Sweeney discuss embracing roles fully.
Sweeney transformed physically for Christy Martin biopic.
Both actors value the courage to take on challenging roles.

Hawke & Sweeney: On Losing Yourself in Roles

Actors Ethan Hawke and Sydney Sweeney recently shared profound insights into their craft, highlighting the transformative power of deep role immersion. Hawke, discussing his portrayal of Lorenz Hart, and Sweeney, reflecting on her role as boxer Christy Martin, both lauded the process of "losing yourself" in a character as a profound artistic high.

Sweeney underwent a significant physical change, gaining 35 pounds and training rigorously for "Christy," a biopic about the groundbreaking boxer. This dedication mirrored Hawke's own experiences, including his preparation for playing Chet Baker and his intense training for boxing in his youth. They both acknowledged the challenges and rewards of embodying complex figures.

Both stars expressed admiration for taking creative risks. Hawke celebrated Sweeney's "dare" in portraying Christy Martin, drawing parallels to his own career and the enduring impact of roles like those in "Dead Poets Society." They concluded by emphasizing that true artistry lies in committing fully to the performance, regardless of external judgments.