The Late Gene Hackman: A Legacy of Unmatched Talent
Gene Hackman had an awesome presence on screen, and his performances as the many characters he played over the course of his career were powerful.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, left quite the impression on cinema, earning a place alongside Hollywood’s greatest talents. News of his passing at 95, alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog has sent shockwaves through the film community.
Authorities in Santa Fe, New Mexico, confirmed that Hackman and Arakawa were found deceased in their home on Wednesday afternoon. Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated, “All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant.”
While no cause of death has been determined, authorities have ruled out immediate foul play.
Hackman’s acting career spanned decades, filled with a ton of memorable performances. He broke out in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde as Clyde Barrow’s explosive older brother, earning his first Oscar nomination.
One of my favorite roles of his was as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection (1971), which won him his first Academy Award for Best Actor, and it’s the role that solidified his talent and place in Hollywood.
Hackman brought something special to every role he took on, whether as a paranoid surveillance expert in William Friedkin’s The Conversation (1974), a ruthless sheriff in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992), another incredible performance which won him his second Oscar, or the sharp-witted patriarch in Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). And how can I forget his great sports film, Hoosiers.
From comedies to thrillers, Hackman had an uncanny ability to disappear into his characters, and he was also entertaining to watch. He was a master at his craft.
Unlike some of his contemporaries, Hackman never leaned on theatrics. His performances were both subtle and commanding, allowing him to be the scene stealer from some of the biggest actors. He starred oppostie Meryl Streep in Postcards from the Edge, Tom Cruise in The Firm, and Denzel Washington in Crimson Tide.
His role as Lex Luthor in the Superman films was another favorite of mine, those movies showcased his ability to mix charm with villainous menace. He also made audiences laugh in The Birdcage and Get Shorty, and unsettle them in Mississippi Burning. Even into his 70s, Hackman remained an on-screen force, proving his range in films like Enemy of the State and Sam Raimi’s The Quick and the Dead.
Born Eugene Alden Hackman in San Bernardino, California, at 16, he lied about his age to join the Marines, serving in Shanghai, Hawaii, and Japan. After his military service, he pursued journalism before finding his true calling in acting.
Hackman trained at the Pasadena Playhouse alongside Dustin Hoffman, where neither were seen as future stars. But, he worked hard on stage and in television before making a name for himself in Hollywood.
He maintained a private life, moving to Santa Fe in the '90s, where he focused on writing novels. His works included Wake of the Perdido Star and Escape from Andersonville.
Hackman retired from acting in 2004, with Welcome to Mooseport being his final film. I’ve missed his presence in the years since he retired, but his legacy never faded. His performances continue to captivate, influence, and inspire, new generations of movie lovers.
He is survived by his children, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. Gene Hackman was was a cinematic force and our thoughts and hearts go out to his family and friends.
The greatest… https://t.co/8hUq4JpM1j
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) February 27, 2025
We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on… pic.twitter.com/OfmXVCG0jt
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 27, 2025