While she may be a Hollywood icon, Uma Thurman is just like any other mom when it comes to worrying about her daughter, Maya Hawke, now a rising star and fashion muse in her own right.
Despite being shorter than her statuesque mother Uma Thurman—who stands at 5ft 11 ¼ (181 cm)—Maya Hawke’s own height of 5ft 8 ½ (174 cm) still places her well above average.
She often embraces styling tricks to maximize her presence, such as elongating her legs with pointed-toe heels. At the Maestro premiere, Maya demonstrated this approach perfectly, pairing her structured Prada mini dress with bronze satin pumps that sharpened her silhouette and added extra height.
Maya Hawke turned heads at Netflix’s Maestro premiere in a strapless color-blocked Prada mini dress, styled with pale tights and sharp bronze satin pointed-toe pumps at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 12, 2023, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
This was especially the case when her lookalike daughter decided to take a brave plunge into the acting industry, which has always been and will continue to be an intense public arena.
Uma Thurman exudes classic elegance in a silky black slip dress paired with a pearl necklace, while Ethan Hawke keeps it sleek in an all-black suit at the New York Film Festival (Credit: Startraks Photo)
Describing Hawke as sensitive, only viewing her daughter’s talent for herself allowed Thurman to accept her daughter’s worrying step into the public eye.
“It’s a complicated career. She’s a sensitive person. Any protective parent would be anxious for their child to go into the public arena, not because they want to be in the public arena, but because they’re so creative. You just wish they’d find any other way to be creative,” the Pulp Fiction actress told Access.
“She’s, in the end, such a brilliant actress. Obviously, there’s nothing else that she would have ever done,” Thurman added.
“Her talent was so big. It’s what she had to do.” Maya confirmed her mom’s reservations in an interview with Nylon in April 2020.
“Because this industry is so much tougher on women, my mom had reservations about me not becoming an actor, but becoming a public figure,” Maya said.
Maya Hawke, Kathryn Newton, Willa Fitzgerald, and Annes Elwy in the British 2017 BBC television historical drama adaptation of Little Women (Credit: BBC)
“My mom understands in a different way from my dad how difficult that is,” she added. “Because the voices are not as strong, the whispers are not as strong in men’s ears.”
After Thurman had initial reservations about her daughter following her and her ex-husband’s career paths, Hawke went on to make a successful name for herself, starring in Stranger Things, Fear Street, and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
Maya Ray Thurman Hawke portrays Robin Buckley in the third (2019) and fourth (2022) seasons of the science fiction horror drama television series Stranger Things (Credit: Netflix)
Yet Thurman claims that this line of work isn’t as straightforward as playing a part in a series or film – it appears that you must constantly play the part for the cameras, whether you like it or not.
Whilst wishing that Hawke could have found a way to express herself creatively in any other way to avoid the prying eyes and ears of the public, the concerned mother eventually came around to Hawke’s acting pursuits.
This was due to the daughter’s pure talent in the industry, with the notion that no career would have suited her as ideally as acting.
Uma Thurman’s Relationships With Gary Oldman and Ethan Hawke: A Look Back
Thurman married fellow actor Gary Oldman in 1990 before they divorced in 1992. A few years later, in 1998, she married Ethan Hawke, an American actor whom she met on the set of the 1997 film Gattaca.
Maya Thurman-Hawke looks youthful in a sleeveless powder-blue pleated dress, while Uma Thurman opts for chic minimalism in a black turtleneck and coat at the 2014 New York premiere of The Theory of Everything (Credit: Roger Wong / INFphoto)
They welcomed their daughter, Maya Hawke, into the world in 1998, when Thurman was just 28 years old, followed by their son, Levon, in 2002. Despite this, the couple soon separated in 2003, with the divorce finalized in August 2005.
Growing Up Hawke: Maya’s Childhood in a Hollywood Family
While Hawke’s parents divorced, they remained committed co-parents, providing Maya and her brother with the support she needed to blossom into the success she is today.
Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke started dating after meeting on the set of the 1997 American dystopian science fiction thriller film Gattaca (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)
Growing up in a public celebrity family with two famous parents didn’t deter Hawke from pursuing her acting career. Indeed, she admitted that aside from a few embarrassing high school situations when growing up, she wasn’t aware of her parents’ celebrity status.
Living a relatively normal childhood of playing games and taking trips, Hawke claimed that it didn’t matter what her parents did, as long as they were loving parents.
Uma Thurman and Maya Hawke Share the Screen in The Kill Room
The Kill Room, a 2023 dark comedic thriller, brings together Uma Thurman and her daughter Maya Hawke on screen for the first time, alongside a star-studded cast that includes Joe Manganiello, Debi Mazar, Dree Hemingway, Samuel L. Jackson, Liv Morgan, and Larry Pine.
Maya Hawke looks regal in an embellished navy cape and satin skirt, while Uma Thurman stuns in a black dress with dramatic red fur cuffs at the 2014 Miu Miu Resort Collection show in Paris on July 5, 2014 (Credit: Aurore Marechal / Abaca / Startraksphoto)
Directed by Nicol Paone and written by Jonathan Jacobson, the crime comedy follows a hitman, his boss, and an art dealer as they become entangled in a money-laundering scheme that accidentally turns the hitman into an overnight avant-garde sensation.
Thurman also served as a producer on the film, which was released on September 28, 2023. It’s a fitting collaboration that proves talent truly runs in the family.
As you can probably tell, Maya Hawke’s acting talent has flourished into something that makes both Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke incredibly proud of their daughter. While raised by a pair of fantastic actors, it’s evident that Hawke’s career was pursued from her passion for it.
Stepping Out in Style: Maya Hawke’s Most Memorable Fashion Moments
Maya Hawke has consistently impressed with her fashion choices, particularly her footwear selections. Here are some of her standout style moments:
Maya Hawke Sparkles in Black Prada Gown at ‘Asteroid City’ Premiere
- Event: ‘Asteroid City’ New York Premiere
- Outfit: Maya dazzled in a custom-made black Prada gown adorned with delicate sequins, featuring a square neckline and a plunging back.
- Footwear: She completed the look with sleek black pointed-toe heels, adding a touch of sophistication to her ensemble.
- Read more: Maya Hawke Sparkles in Black Prada Gown at ‘Asteroid City’ Premiere
Maya Hawke Embraces Retro Vibes at ‘Do Revenge’ Premiere
- Event: Netflix’s ‘Do Revenge’ Premiere
- Outfit: Maya opted for a vintage-inspired pink velvet Alaïa dress featuring an ’80s-style argyle print around the neck.
- Footwear: She paired the dress with Piferi’s ‘Izma’ strappy open-toe sandals, showcasing her chic style.
- See more: Maya Hawke’s Retro Look at ‘Do Revenge’ Premiere
Maya Hawke Rocks Louboutin’s Mistiroir Pumps at ‘Little Women’ Promotion
- Event: ‘Little Women’ Miniseries Promotion
- Outfit: Maya donned an Altuzarra Fall 2018 dark purple velvet dress, complemented by a white button-down shirt and polka-dotted tights.
- Footwear: She elevated her ensemble with Christian Louboutin’s ‘Mistiroir’ 110 leather pumps, featuring four buckle-fastening straps.
- Discover more: Maya Hawke Rocks Louboutin’s Mistiroir Pumps
Maya Hawke Shines in Gold Flower Crown and Satin Heels at ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Premiere
- Event: ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Premiere
- Outfit: Maya wore an Olivier Theyskens Fall 2018 suit with a cream bustier, accessorized with a gold flower crown.
- Footwear: She completed the look with Rupert Sanderson’s ‘Balance’ ankle-strap pumps in black satin.
- Explore her style: Maya Hawke’s Golden Look at ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Premiere
These moments highlight Maya Hawke’s evolving fashion sense and her ability to make bold style statements on the red carpet.
Before wrapping up, it’s worth spotlighting one of Uma Thurman’s most memorable fashion moments—her show-stopping appearance at the 2016 Met Gala.
Uma Thurman Stuns in Ivory at the 2016 Met Gala
In May 2016, Uma Thurman made a stunning entrance on the red carpet at the 2016 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Uma Thurman wears her hair back at the 2016 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala – Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology held May 2 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (Credit: WENN)
The then-46-year-old American actress and model exuded elegance in an ivory Tommy Hilfiger gown that featured a single, thigh-high slit and a crystal-encrusted bird on her shoulder.
She styled the trailing dress with a Cartier museum diamond brooch and a pair of “Vivien” sandals from Jimmy Choo.
Uma Thurman wears an ivory Tommy Hilfiger gown and feathered Jimmy Choo sandals on the red carpet of the 2016 Met Gala (Credit: WENN)
Other stars who impressed on the red carpet at the 2016 Met Gala included:
- Claire Danes, who stole the spotlight in a magical glow-in-the-dark Zac Posen gown.
- Kim Kardashian, shimmering in a silver metallic Balmain dress and custom Tom Ford heels.
- Emma Watson, turning heads in an eco-conscious Calvin Klein outfit made from recycled materials.
- Solange Knowles, making a bold statement in a yellow David LaPort dress and lucite Loewe heels.
- Hailee Steinfeld, wearing a custom H&M gown styled with Charlotte Olympia’s ‘Gilda’ sandals.
- Sarah Jessica Parker, channeling Hamilton in a Monse ensemble and her own SJP ‘Rampling’ pumps.
- Gigi Hadid, who made a futuristic impression in a Tommy Hilfiger gown and Stuart Weitzman ‘Venus’ pumps.
These memorable outfits captured the “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” theme with flair, from high-tech glamour to sustainable elegance.
Uma Thurman’s delicate ankle-strap sandals featured an intricate feathered bow across the top. How do you like Uma’s elegant ensemble? You can find Uma’s graceful sandals at Farfetch and Mytheresa.
Jimmy Choo Beige ‘Vivien’ Ostrich Feather-Bow Satin Sandals, $950