Josh Charles revealed that Taylor Swift made sure he and Ethan Hawke received their own Moon Person trophies after “Fortnight” won Video of the Year at the 2024 MTV VMAs.
At a Glance
- Swift arranged for the actors to receive individual Moon Person trophies after the video won Video of the Year.
- Charles learned of the gift via email asking for his current address.
- The two actors reunited for the cameo 35 years after Dead Poets Society.
**Why it matters: Fans get a behind-the-scenes look at how Swift celebrates collaborators who help shape her visual storytelling.
The news emerged during a January 15, 2026 interview Charles gave to The Hollywood Reporter. After “Fortnight” took home the top honor in September 2024, Swift ensured both Charles, 54, and Hawke, 55, were listed among the recipients.
> “I’m assuming it came from Taylor, that she just wanted to celebrate us for being a part of the video in a way that she felt helped the video and made it really special,” Charles said.
He recalled receiving an email requesting his mailing address.
> “All I know is I got an email that something was coming and to give my address and to make sure it’s the right one. When I got it, I was like, ‘This is incredible.'”
Charles praised Swift’s gesture.
> “She’s a class act,” he said of the 14-time Grammy winner.
Secret Cameo
In April 2024, Charles and Hawke surprised fans by appearing in the “Fortnight” music video. The shoot marked the first time the pair had worked together since 1989’s Dead Poets Society.
Charles admitted the secrecy surrounding the project proved difficult.
> “Little debrief about yesterday: I don’t like keeping secrets so that was hard. I didn’t even tell my kids until the other day!” he wrote on Instagram at the time.
He shared a selfie of the two actors at the airport alongside a still from their earlier film.
> “Here’s a couple of tortured old poets about to board an early flight to be pop stars for a day. Been through a lot with this dude over the years, but safe to say this was a most memorable day,” Charles added.
On-Set Experience
Charles praised Swift’s crew for the warm atmosphere.
> “What I’ll remember most was the laughter. There was a lot of it. Like we were 17 all over again,” he wrote, using the hashtag #TSTTPD.
Hawke commented on the post, suggesting they continue the reunion.
> “Maybe Todd & Knox start appearing mysteriously in the background of all the world’s great poets!” he joked, referencing their Dead Poets characters.
The single “Fortnight” also features vocals from Post Malone.
The Moon Person trophies now sit in the actors’ homes, a tangible reminder of an unexpected collaboration that bridged decades of friendship and artistry.
