At the 74th Academy Awards, Hawke, now 55, earned a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance in the film.
He faced stiff competition that year from actors including Jon Voight, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Sir Ian McKellen, before ultimately losing out to British actor Jim Broadbent for his role in Richard Eyre’s Iris.
Meanwhile, his Training Day co-star Washington, now 70, took home the Best Actor award at the 2002 ceremony, marking his second Oscar win after earning Best Supporting Actor for Glory in 1990.
According to Hawke, Washington believed that while the nomination was meaningful, the timing of a win mattered just as much.
“I knew that if not for the great light of Denzel’s performance, nobody would have even noticed me. So I was amused. I was nominated against Ian McKellen for Gandalf. Greatest performance in cinema history. He didn’t win either.”
“Another time I was nominated against Robert Duvall. One of my favourite actors and he didn’t win either. You take this for what it is.”
“It’ll kill your drive. You don’t deserve it yet. Earn it… By the time you get it, you want to earn it.”
“Gotcha. I hear you loud and clear. So that keeps you working. Keeps you hungry.”
When asked whether he is deliberately tuning out the renewed Oscar buzz surrounding his latest film Blue Moon, in which he plays American lyricist Lorenz Hart, Hawke responded with a thoughtful pause.
“The conversation existing is a victory in itself.”
He added that part of him still wants to honor the years of dedication he has put into his craft, and that there is real joy in simply loving the work and the experience of making the film.
He is also currently in contention for the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
