Ethan Hawke is an acclaimed actor known for films like Dead Poets Society, Training Day, Before Sunrise, and Boyhood. In addition to his illustrious film career, Hawke has also appeared in several memorable commercials over the years. Here is an overview of the various commercials Ethan Hawke has starred in throughout his career.
Toyota Camry (1995)
One of Ethan Hawke’s earliest commercial appearances was in a 1995 ad campaign for the Toyota Camry. The ads featured Hawke and actress Winona Ryder as a young couple who just purchased a new Camry.
In one popular ad, Hawke and Ryder are driving their Camry while having a heated argument about the meaning of a song lyric. Hawke insists the lyric is meaningless, while Ryder argues it has a deeper meaning. The ad highlighted the quietness of the Camry’s cabin, showing the couple arguing without raising their voices.
This lighthearted ad campaign played off Hawke’s rising popularity as a young Hollywood star following his performances in films like Dead Poets Society and Reality Bites. The chemistry between Hawke and Ryder also added appeal, as the two actors were dating at the time.
Apple Computers (2002)
In 2002, Hawke appeared in a series of minimalist commercials for Apple computers. The black and white ads simply featured Hawke using Apple products in different settings while a monologue plays in the background.
In one ad, Hawke sits in a café writing on an Apple laptop. The voiceover says, “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels…” referencing Apple’s famous “Think Different” ad campaign. Other spots featured Hawke working on Apple computers in a variety of everyday locations.
The low-key, stylized ads aligned with Apple’s sleek, modern brand image at the time. Hawke’s presence lent the spots credibility as he represented the creative and artistic types drawn to Apple products.
Zales Jewelry (2007)
Around 2007, Hawke starred in a holiday ad campaign for the jewelry brand Zales. The spots portrayed Hawke shopping for Christmas gifts for his real-life wife at the time, Uma Thurman.
One ad showed Hawke browsing for jewelry at a Zales store, seeking help from the jeweler to find the perfect gift for his wife. Other ads cut between Hawke picking out jewelry and tender moments between him and Thurman on Christmas morning.
The commercials struck an emotional chord, using Hawke and Thurman’s star power as a famous Hollywood couple to sell the idea of Zales jewelry as the perfect romantic gift. Their comfortable rapport gave the ads an authentic intimacy.
Koyo Jeans (2011)
In 2011, Hawke appeared in a pair of amusing commercials for the Japanese jeans brand Koyo. The ads adopted a mock documentary style to tell humorous fictional stories about Hawke’s passion for the brand.
In one ad, Hawke talks about a trip he took to Japan where he became obsessed with finding the perfect pair of jeans. The dramatized footage shows him enthusiastically trying on jeans around Tokyo.
In another spot, Hawke recounts searching all over America for Koyo jeans after discovering the brand in Japan. He acts out exaggerated scenes like interrogating retail clerks about when they will get the jeans back in stock.
The entertaining ads played into Hawke’s reputation as a serious actor, using his prestige to give credibility to the silly premise. His deadpan comedic delivery heightened the absurdist humor.
Peugeot 308 (2014)
Hawke promoted the French car company Peugeot in a 2014 European ad campaign for the Peugeot 308 model. The ads were shot in Los Angeles and featured Hawke driving the car around the city while a poetic monologue played about freedom, possibility, and new beginnings.
In one ad, Hawke drives through LA while listening to the soliloquy about the city representing endless opportunities. Intercut footage shows Hawke pursuing creative endeavors like painting in a studio and playing guitar at a club.
The moody, evocative ads aimed to inject Peugeot cars with a sense of artistry and imagination. Hawke’s pensive, thoughtful screen presence resonant with the philosophical message about embracing your aspirations. His international celebrity also helped globalize the French brand.
Lenovo Laptops (2019)
In 2019, Hawke appeared in several ads for the Chinese technology company Lenovo promoting their laptop computers. The spots portrayed the actors using Lenovo laptops on film sets to edit footage and review takes.
One ad focuses on Hawke’s directing work, following him on the set of his film Blaze. He studies shots on his Lenovo laptop and reviews footage with his crew. A voiceover by Hawke talks about the long hours of filming and needing reliable technology.
The introspective ads emphasized Hawke as both an actor and an artist. Scenes of him creatively problem-solving on set aimed to present Lenovo as the preferred laptop of passionate professionals. The first-person narrative gave viewers an inside look at Hawke’s directing process.
Mercedes-Benz (2022)
Most recently, Hawke starred in a stylish 2022 Super Bowl commercial for Mercedes-Benz. The ad portrayed Hawke in a futuristic sci-fi world speaking profound monologues about humanity’s quest for knowledge and meaning.
Shots of Hawke driving a Mercedes-Benz EV are interspersed with visuals of him alone in desolate, otherworldly landscapes. As he gazes out at the vast universe, his poetic musings position Mercedes as a brand leading humankind into the future.
The cinematic ad leveraged Hawke’s gravitas as a serious actor to make Mercedes feel visionary and important. His earnest performance delivered the existential script with insight and nuance, consistent with Hawke’s screen persona in films exploring big philosophical ideas.
Summary of Ethan Hawke’s Commercial Appearances
In summary, Ethan Hawke has starred in commercials spanning over 25 years for brands like:
- Toyota Camry
- Apple Computers
- Zales Jewelry
- Koyo Jeans
- Peugeot
- Lenovo
- Mercedes-Benz
Many of the ads relied on Hawke’s acting pedigree to make the product feel sophisticated and artistic. His discerning image as a dramatist known for thoughtful films about humanity aligned well with Apple’s creative branding or Mercedes’ innovator status.
The goofier Koyo jeans ads provided an enjoyable contrast by poking fun at Hawke’s serious reputation. But regardless of the tone, Hawke’s performances commercialized the products in memorable, cinematic fashion by drawing on his unique screen persona.
What Are Some of Ethan Hawke’s Most Acclaimed Films?
Ethan Hawke has appeared in many critically acclaimed films over his decades-long career. Here are 5 of his most praised and award-winning movies:
Dead Poets Society (1989)
This coming-of-age drama featuring Hawke as a shy student at a conservative prep school earned critical applause and Oscar nominations. Hawke’s performance launched him as a young Hollywood star.
Boyhood (2014)
Richard Linklater’s innovative film shot over 12 years to portray a boy growing up garnered universal acclaim. Hawke earned an Oscar nod for his supporting role as the boy’s father.
Training Day (2001)
Hawke’s intense performance as a narcotics detective partnered with a corrupt officer (Denzel Washington) electrified critics and audiences. He received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Before Sunrise (1995)
This romantic drama about two soulmates who meet on a train in Europe charmed critics with its intimate dialogue between Hawke and Julie Delpy. It spawned two sequels exploring the couple through life.
First Reformed (2017)
Hawke earned some of the best reviews of his career for this slow-burn character study featuring a priest going through spiritual turmoil. He nabbed numerous Best Actor nominations.
What Are Some of Ethan Hawke’s Upcoming Projects?
Here are some of Ethan Hawke’s major projects currently in the works:
Moon Knight TV Series
Hawke will play the villain in this highly anticipated Marvel/Disney+ series debuting in 2022. His character is Arthur Harrow, an occultist enemy of the hero Moon Knight.
The Last Movie Stars
Hawke is directing this documentary for HBO Max profiling iconic actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward through archival footage. It offers a rare glimpse into their lives.
Leave the World Behind
This Netflix adaptation of the novel by Rumaan Alam stars Hawke and Julia Roberts as a couple whose vacation is interrupted by mysterious events. It is slated for release in 2023.
The Black Phone
In this 2022 horror thriller, Hawke plays a creepy magician who kidnaps a boy, who starts getting calls on a disconnected phone from the magician’s past victims.
Raymond and Ray
Hawke stars alongside Ewan McGregor as two half-brothers who reunite for their father’s funeral in this dramedy film directed by Rodrigo García. It is scheduled for release in 2022.
What Genres Has Ethan Hawke Acted In?
Throughout his diverse career, Ethan Hawke has demonstrated his acting talent across a wide variety of genres:
Drama
Hawke is most known for serious, introspective dramas like Dead Poets Society, Before Sunrise trilogy, Boyhood, and First Reformed. He brings emotional depth and complexity to these realistic films exploring life’s big questions.
Romance
In addition to Before Sunrise, Hawke has starred in romantic films like Great Expectations, Sinister, and Maggie’s Plan. His thoughtful presence and chemistry with leading ladies contributes to the romantic mood.
Sci-Fi
Hawke has appeared in several science fiction films including Gattaca, Predestination, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, and The Black Phone. He brings intelligence and groundedness to fantastical concepts.
Action
From Training Day to Assault on Precinct 13, 24 Hours to Live, and The Purge, Hawke has proven convincing in gritty, high-stakes action roles that require physicality and intensity.
Comedy
Hawke has demonstrated underrated comedic abilities in films ranging from tape to Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. His deadpan delivery and subtle expressions shine in dark comedies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ethan Hawke is an acclaimed Hollywood actor who has applied his prestige and acting talents to elevate a diverse range of commercials over a long career. His brooding sensitivity and thoughtful presence have made him an effective celebrity spokesperson across advertising campaigns for brands like Toyota, Apple, Peugeot, and Mercedes-Benz.
Whether humorously debating song lyrics with Winona Ryder or contemplatively musing about humanity’s destiny, Hawke’s performances grant sophistication and cinematic storytelling to even the most common products. His ability to evoke romance, philosophy, and creativity through dramatic delivery makes Hawke one of the most compelling and enduring celebrity figures in advertising.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethan Hawke’s Commercials
Which commercial featured both Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder?
Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder, who were dating at the time, co-starred in a 1995 ad campaign for Toyota Camry playing a young couple arguing in the car. Their natural chemistry helped make the playful spots memorable.
What product did Ethan Hawke promote in artsy, minimalist black and white commercials?
In 2002, Hawke appeared in sophisticated black and white ads for Apple Computers that simply showed him using Mac products in everyday settings with a poetic voiceover.
Which jewelry brand commercial portrayed Ethan Hawke Christmas shopping for his then-wife Uma Thurman?
Ethan Hawke played a devoted husband picking out Zales jewelry for Uma Thurman in a romantic 2007 holiday ad campaign for the brand. The ads aimed to position Zales as the go-to for thoughtful romantic gifts.
What car company used Ethan Hawke reciting philosophical monologues in moody, cinematic ads?
In artsy 2014 European commercials for Peugeot, Ethan Hawke drove Peugeot vehicles while listening to profound soliloquies about freedom and new beginnings, linking the brand with imagination.
What Super Bowl commercial featured Ethan Hawke speaking poetic messages about the future while driving a Mercedes-Benz?
In a visually stunning 2022 Super Bowl ad, Ethan Hawke drove a Mercedes-Benz EV through futuristic landscapes while delivering an existential monologue positioning Mercedes as a leader into the future.