Ethan Hawke Explorers 1985 Motorcycle Accident with River Phoenix Revealed
Ethan Hawke recalls the Ethan Hawke Explorers 1985 accident where he broke his foot crashing River Phoenix's dad's motorcycle and hidden the injury for his friend.
"The bike was fine, but my foot was broken." Hollywood veteran Ethan Hawke shared a terrifying yet heartwarming story from his youth. During a Monday appearance on 'The Late Show,' the 55-year-old actor recounted a secret motorcycle crash involving his late best friend, River Phoenix, while filming their 1985 sci-fi debut, Explorers.
The Ethan Hawke Explorers 1985 Accident Details
At just 14 years old, the duo took Phoenix’s father’s motorcycle for an unauthorized joyride. After Hawke crashed the bike and broke his foot, he chose to hide the agonizing pain overnight at Phoenix's house so his friend wouldn't get in trouble. Hawke described the experience as a "nightmare," noting that production on the film eventually had to be shut down while he recovered.
A Friendship Beyond the Silver Screen
Hawke also paid tribute to Phoenix at the recent Palm Springs Film Awards, reflecting on their deep bond. While Hawke introduced Phoenix to literature like 'The Catcher in the Rye,' Phoenix introduced him to punk rock and vegetarianism. Despite Phoenix's tragic death at age 23 in 1993, Hawke emphasized that his friend's influence remains a permanent part of his identity.
This content is AI-generated based on source articles. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur. We recommend verifying with the original source.
Related Articles
Explore the complete Oscars debut winners list of 19 stars who won an Academy Award for their first movie, from Lupita Nyong'o to youngest winner Tatum O'Neal.
Sarah Michelle Gellar reflects on the 2002 Scooby-Doo movie, revealing its R-rated origins and how she finally came to love the film after 24 years.
Stephen Colbert mocks Trump's threat to use the Insurrection Act in Minnesota following Renee Good's death. A satirical look at a growing political crisis in 2026.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reveal why they are still embarrassed by their 1998 Ben Affleck Matt Damon Oscar speech. Read about their Howard Stern interview and new Netflix film.
Explore the complete Oscars debut winners list of 19 stars who won an Academy Award for their first movie, from Lupita Nyong'o to youngest winner Tatum O'Neal.
Sarah Michelle Gellar reflects on the 2002 Scooby-Doo movie, revealing its R-rated origins and how she finally came to love the film after 24 years.
Stephen Colbert mocks Trump's threat to use the Insurrection Act in Minnesota following Renee Good's death. A satirical look at a growing political crisis in 2026.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reveal why they are still embarrassed by their 1998 Ben Affleck Matt Damon Oscar speech. Read about their Howard Stern interview and new Netflix film.