Maya Hawke sees no issue with being called a "Nepo baby."
Maya Hawke, the daughter of renowned actors Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, inherited more than just their last name. She's also become a celebrated actress in her own right. During an interview, she made it clear that she's comfortable using the privileges bestowed upon her by her famous parents.
Nepo babies - a term used for children of celebrities who rely on their parents' fame for success in the entertainment industry - are a hot topic in recent years. The conversation about whether these individuals deserve their achievements without the help of nepotism isn't dying down either.
Maya Hawke doesn't mind being classified as a "nepo baby." In fact, she's proud of her famous parents and the advantages that come with it. In an interview with "The Times," she expressed her contentment with her background and said, "There are so many people who deserve this kind of life but can't have it. But I think I'm happy not to deserve it and still do it." She noted that not only would it benefit her, but also help others.
During her fledgling years in the acting world, she weighed her options: "when I started, I saw two ways: Change your name, get a nose job, and go to open casting roles," said Hawke. She ultimately chose to embrace her well-known last name, which opened many doors for her. She can live with the teasing. "It's a great place. My relationship with my parents is really honest and positive, and that's more than anyone can say about it."
The Proud "Nepo-Dad"
In 2022, Maya Hawke even collaborated with her father on the biographical drama "Wildcat." Her director? None other than Ethan Hawke. She joked in the same interview with "The Times" that she had tried to address her father as "Ethan" on set, but eventually gave in and called him "Papa." "We were both constantly asked if we were nervous working together, but we weren't nervous because I've spent my whole life making art with this guy."
Ethan Hawke, who has enjoyed a long and successful career in Hollywood, has also embraced his "nepo" status. In 2023, he told "Variety," "Simply put, I'm a nepo dad! And I'm not ashamed of it." Among his notable roles are those in "The Dead Poets Society" (1989) and "Training Day" (2001). He was married to Tarantino muse Uma Thurman (the "Pulp Fiction" and "Kill Bill" star) from 1998 to 2005, with whom he also shares another son, Levon Hawke, who is also an actor.
Maya Hawke has made quite a name for herself in Hollywood. Her big break came with the Netflix series "Stranger Things" in 2019, and she acted in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time In ... Hollywood." Her latest project was playing the voice of Anxiety in the second part of the animated film "Alles steht Kopf," which in the US is known as "Everything Everywhere All at Once." The film is set for release in German cinemas on June 14th.
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Children often look up to celebrity parents as role models, and Maya Hawke is no exception. She grew up watching her mother, Uma Thurman, and father, Ethan Hawke, make a name for themselves in Hollywood as part of celebrated celebrity couples.
Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke's celebrity status not only opened doors for their daughter Maya in the entertainment industry but also for their son Levon, who is also an actor. Celebrity children, such as Maya and Levon, are often referred to as "nepo babies," highlighting the influence of nepotism in Hollywood.
