Why Ethan Hawke's Divorce From Uma Thurman Changed His Career Forever

Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman took Hollywood by storm in the '90s and so did their relationship. Hawke has starred in films like "Training Day," "Sinister," and "Boyhood" meanwhile, Thurman is known for her work in "Pulp Fiction," "Kill Bill: Vol. 1," and "Down a Dark Hall" to name a few, per IMDb. According to InStyle, the former couple first met while working on the set of the 1997 movie "Gattaca." It didn't take long for the pair to fall in love considering they reportedly tied the knot a year later in 1998 and also welcomed their first child together, Maya Hawke.

While at first their relationship appeared to be going great, their union completely fell apart a year after they welcomed their second child Levon Roan in 2002. "I call it the black years," Hawke told The Guardian in regards to what life was like after him and his ex-wife parted ways. "It was difficult in ways I couldn't even see at the time." Thurman and Hawke separated in 2003 after the "Before Sunrise" actor was rumored to have cheated with the nanny — putting an end to their five-year marriage, according to BuzzFeed. Hawke, on the other hand, quickly denied those accusations claiming the act of cheating was not the reason for their demise. "Uma and I did not split up over anybody's infidelity," he told ABC News. "We had a lot of problems before." 

Although their divorce wasn't finalized until 2005, their breakup continued to get messy. 

The whirlwind of press that ensued after Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman parted ways was exceptionally hard on the both of them. "The Purge" star revealed to GQ his whole world turned upside down after his split. "I got divorced and my personal life fell apart." Hawke was battling depression, trying to be happy that his career was taking off, but also dealing with the fact that his marriage didn't work out. And, at one point, it all became too much to bear. "When you're depressed, it's really easy to see everything that is fake about other people and life, and I just started seeing that," he told the outlet. 

As time went on, Hawke was able to reflect on decisions he's made throughout the course of his life and confessed he should have never married Thurman. "I had no business taking vows that would last more than two weeks," the actor said during an interview with Elle. Hawke claims gaining success too fast and his brain not being fully developed played a vital role in his push to get married. "The world felt out of control. And I wanted to stop it from spinning so fast," he added. "I thought marriage would decrease my variables or something. I was absolutely wrong." 

Meanwhile, Thurman had a different perspective as to why their marriage didn't work out. 

During an emotional interview on  "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Uma Thurman took the blame for the downfall of her marriage to Ethan Hawke. "Our marriage failed," she said. "I should take full responsibility for the failure of my own marriage." The "Suspicion" star made it clear that there was "never just one thing" when it came to their divorce and that pointing the finger doesn't bring comfort. "Blaming anybody doesn't make you feel better," she added. Although it was a difficult time, their daughter Maya Hawke also felt deeply by her parent's spilt and used the experience to inspire her latest song "Driver." In the beginning of the record she sings about wishing her parents were cozied up in the back of a taxi and that she would "give everything I'll ever have to see them happy."

Maya was only five when her mom and dad parted ways and although she was heartbroken by it, it appears she's found solace in knowing her dad is mentally in a better place. "He got free / That even though it hurt me/He can be whoever the hell he wants to be," she sings. Even with everything that happened, Ethan is one of his daughter's biggest fans. "I'm so proud of her, 'cause I think she does a great job, he told Entertainment Tonight about Maya's success on "Stranger Things." 

Although Ethan and Thurman didn't work out, their legacy will continue on with their children.