View source for Gene Hackman

{{Short description|American actor (1930–2025)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Gene Hackman
| image              = Gene Hackman in the White House, 1987.jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Hackman in the [[White House]], 1987
| birth_name         = Eugene Allen Hackman
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1930|01|30}}
| birth_place        = {{nowrap|[[San Bernardino, California]], U.S.}}
| death_date         = {{circa|{{death date and age|2025|02|18|1930|01|30}}}}
| death_place        = [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]], U.S.
| resting_place      = Rivera Memorial Gardens, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 1956–2004<!--Only active years of "primary profession"-->
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Faye Maltese|1956|1986|end=div}}
* {{marriage|[[Betsy Arakawa]]|December 1, 1991|2025|end=died}}}}
| children           = 3
| works              = [[List of Gene Hackman performances|Full list]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Gene Hackman|Full list]]
}}

'''Eugene Allen Hackman''' (January 30, 1930 – {{circa|February 18, 2025}}) was an American actor. Considered one of the greatest actors of his generation and a paragon of the [[New Hollywood]] movement, Hackman's mainstream acting career spanned over four decades. He received [[List of awards and nominations received by Gene Hackman|several accolades]], including two [[Academy Awards]], two [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|British Academy Film Awards]], one [[Silver Bear for Best Actor|Silver Bear]] and four [[Golden Globe Awards]]. 

Hackman made his credited film debut in the drama ''[[Lilith (film)|Lilith]]'' (1964). He later won two Academy Awards, his first for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for his role as [[Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle]] in [[William Friedkin]]'s action thriller ''[[The French Connection (film)|The French Connection]]'' (1971) and his second for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] for playing a villainous sheriff in [[Clint Eastwood]]'s Western ''[[Unforgiven]]'' (1992). He was Oscar-nominated for playing [[Buck Barrow]] in the crime drama ''[[Bonnie and Clyde (film)|Bonnie and Clyde]]'' (1967), a college professor in the drama ''[[I Never Sang for My Father]]'' (1970) and an [[FBI agent]] in the historical drama ''[[Mississippi Burning]]'' (1988).

Hackman gained further fame for his portrayal of [[Lex Luthor]] in three of the [[Superman in film|''Superman'' films]] from 1978 to 1987. He also acted in ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]'' (1972), ''[[Scarecrow (1973 film)|Scarecrow]]'' (1973), ''[[The Conversation]]'' (1974), ''[[Night Moves (1975 film)|Night Moves]]'' (1975), ''[[A Bridge Too Far (film)|A Bridge Too Far]]'' (1977), ''[[Under Fire (1983 film)|Under Fire]]'' (1983), ''[[Hoosiers (film)|Hoosiers]]'' (1986), ''[[The Firm (1993 film)|The Firm]]'' (1993), ''[[Wyatt Earp (film)|Wyatt Earp]]'' (1994), ''[[Crimson Tide (film)|Crimson Tide]]'' (1995), ''[[The Quick and the Dead (1995 film)|The Quick and the Dead]]'' (1995), ''[[Get Shorty (film)|Get Shorty]]'' (1995), ''[[The Birdcage]]'' (1996), ''[[Absolute Power (film)|Absolute Power]]'' (1997), ''[[Antz]]'' (1998), ''[[Enemy of the State (film)|Enemy of the State]]'' (1998), ''[[The Royal Tenenbaums]]'' (2001), and ''[[Runaway Jury]]'' (2003). He retired from acting after starring in ''[[Welcome to Mooseport]]'' (2004), writing novels and occasionally narrating television documentaries until 2017.

==Early life and military service==
[[File:Gene Hackman in the USMC.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Hackman in the [[U.S. Marine Corps]]]]

Eugene Allen Hackman was born on January 30, 1930, in [[San Bernardino, California]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-20 |title=Gene Hackman was born in which San Bernardino hospital? |url=https://www.sbsun.com/2025/03/20/gene-hackman-was-born-in-which-san-bernardino-hospital/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=San Bernardino Sun |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=II |first=Wes Woods |title=Gene Hackman's California connections included San Bernardino, Pasadena |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/nation/california/2025/02/27/oscar-winning-actor-gene-hackman-had-lots-of-california-connections/80699454007/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The Desert Sun |language=en-US}}</ref> to Anna Lyda Elizabeth ({{nee|Gray}}) and Eugene Ezra Hackman. He had a brother named Richard. Anna, an actress, painter, and pianist who worked as a waitress, was born in [[Sarnia, Ontario]], Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.archives.com/1940-census/gene-hackman-il-85063191|title=Gene Hackman from Danville in 1940 Census District 92-22|work=archives.com|access-date=August 5, 2014|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808041228/http://www.archives.com/1940-census/gene-hackman-il-85063191|url-status=live}}</ref> The family moved frequently before eventually settling in [[Danville, Illinois]], where they lived in the house of Anna's English-born mother, Beatrice.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 13, 1904 |title=Anna Lyda Elizabeth Gray – Canada, Births and Baptisms |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F2B2-C2B |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 26, 2014 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref> Eugene Sr. operated the printing press for the ''[[Commercial-News]]'', a local newspaper. Hackman later stated that he decided to become an actor at the age of 10.<ref name="Deseret News">{{cite news |title=Gene Hackman: Least Likely To Succeed? |url=https://www.deseret.com/1988/8/18/18775376/gene-hackman-least-likely-to-succeed/ |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |date=August 18, 1988 |access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> When Hackman was 13 years old, Eugene Sr. divorced Anna and left the family.<ref>{{cite news | last=Norman | first=Michael | title=Hollywood s Uncommon Everyman |newspaper=The New York Times | date=March 19, 1989 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/19/magazine/hollywood-s-uncommon-everyman.html | access-date=July 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last=Leman | first=Kevin | title=What Your Childhood Memories Say about You: And What You Can Do about It | publisher=Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. | year=2007 | page=[https://archive.org/details/whatyourchildhoo00lema/page/154 154] | isbn=978-1-4143-1186-9 | url=https://archive.org/details/whatyourchildhoo00lema/page/154}}</ref><ref name="NYT obituary">{{Cite news |last=Berkvist |first=Robert |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Gene Hackman, Hollywood's Consummate Everyman, Dies at 95 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/obituaries/gene-hackman-dead.html |access-date=February 28, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228024113/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/obituaries/gene-hackman-dead.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Hackman spent his [[sophomore year]] at Storm Lake High School in [[Storm Lake, Iowa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1945 Storm Lake High Yearbook|url=http://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/Storm-Lake-High-School/137921?page=32|website=classmates.com|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> He left home at the age of 16, lied about his age to enlist in the [[U.S. Marine Corps]], and served four and a half years as a field radio operator. Hackman was stationed in China ([[Qingdao]] and later in [[Shanghai]]) as part of [[Operation Beleaguer]]. He later stated that part of his role there was destroying Japanese military equipment so that [[Chinese Communist Revolution|Communist revolutionaries]] did not capture it. After the Communists conquered the mainland in 1949, he was reassigned to [[Territory of Hawaii|Hawaii]] and Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vergun |first=David |title=Actor Gene Hackman Served in the Marine Corps in China |date=27 September 2024 |work=United States Department of Defense |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |url=https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3919688/actor-gene-hackman-served-in-the-marine-corps-in-china/ }}</ref> After his discharge in 1951,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApps?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=357785|title= Hackman, Eugene, Cpl|publisher= |website= marines.togetherweserved.com|access-date= November 14, 2017|archive-date= August 1, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200801021039/https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApps?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=357785|url-status= live}}</ref> Hackman moved to New York City, where he worked at various jobs.<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio">Stated on ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]'', 2001</ref> In 1962, Anna died in a fire she had accidentally started while smoking.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gene Hackman profile |url=http://www.eonline.com/celebrities/profile/index.jsp?uuid=c0858f3a-5eb8-43b9-a2ef-58ff21dbf25c |publisher=Eonline.com |access-date=August 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029002356/http://www.eonline.com/celebrities/profile/index.jsp?uuid=c0858f3a-5eb8-43b9-a2ef-58ff21dbf25c |archive-date=October 29, 2008}}</ref> Hackman began a study of journalism and television production at the [[University of Illinois]]<ref name="NYT obituary" /> under the [[G.I. Bill]] but left without graduating and moved back to California.<ref name="Britannica">{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gene-Hackman |title=Gene Hackman {{!}} Biography, Movies, & Facts |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en |access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref>

==Career==
===1956–1969: Career beginnings===
{{quote box||align=left|width=25em|quote=Acting was something I wanted to do since I was 10 and saw my first movie, I was so captured by the action guys. [[Jimmy Cagney]] was my favorite. Without realizing it, I could see he had tremendous timing and vitality.|source=—Gene Hackman<ref name="Deseret News"/>}}
In 1956, Hackman began pursuing an acting career. He joined the [[Pasadena Playhouse]] in California,<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio"/> where he befriended another aspiring actor, [[Dustin Hoffman]].<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio"/> Already seen as outsiders by their classmates, Hackman and Hoffman were voted "the least likely to succeed",<ref name="Life and Work">{{cite book |last1=Shelley |first1=Peter |title=Gene Hackman: The Life and Work |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9781476670478 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_tt8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA7}}</ref>{{rp|p=7}}<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio"/> and Hackman got the lowest score the Pasadena Playhouse had yet given.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pasadena Playhouse, a Star Crucible, Reopens |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-05-08-8602020175-story.html |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=September 16, 2018 |first=Luaine |last=Lee |date=May 8, 1986 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116130112/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-05-08-8602020175-story.html |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Determined to prove them wrong, Hackman moved to New York City. A 2004 article in ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' described Hackman, Hoffman, and [[Robert Duvall]] as struggling California-born actors and close friends, sharing New York apartments in various two-person combinations in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web |work=[[Xfinity]] |title=Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman |access-date=December 31, 2011 |url=http://xfinity.comcast.net:80/slideshow/entertainment-celebroommates/10/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416054245/http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-celebroommates/10/ |archive-date=April 16, 2011 |publisher=[[Comcast]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Robert Duvall, Hollywood's No. 1 Second Lead, Breaks for Starlight |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20067777,00.html |first=Laura |last=Stevenson |magazine=[[People (American magazine)|People]] |access-date=December 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104213721/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20067777%2C00.html |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |date=September 5, 1977}}</ref>

To support himself between acting jobs, Hackman was working at a [[Howard Johnson's]] restaurant<ref name="Meryman">{{cite journal |title=Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert Duvall: Three Friends who Went from Rags to Riches |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2004/03/gene-hackman-dustin-hoffman-hollywood |journal=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=September 16, 2018 |first=Richard |last=Meryman |date=March 2004 |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916130202/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2004/03/gene-hackman-dustin-hoffman-hollywood |url-status=live}}</ref> when he encountered an instructor from the Pasadena Playhouse, who said that his job proved that Hackman "wouldn't amount to anything."<ref>{{cite journal |title=Vintage Movies: 'The French Connection' |url=http://magnetmagazine.com/2013/08/07/vintage-movies-the-french-connection/ |journal=[[Magnet (magazine)|Magnet]] |access-date=September 16, 2018 |date=August 7, 2013}}</ref> A Marine officer who saw him as a doorman said, "Hackman, you're a sorry son of a bitch." Rejection motivated Hackman, who said:
{{blockquote|It was more psychological warfare, because I wasn't going to let those fuckers get me down. I insisted with myself that I would continue to do whatever it took to get a job. It was like me against them, and in some way, unfortunately, I still feel that way. But I think if you're really interested in acting there is a part of you that relishes the struggle. It's a narcotic in the way that you are trained to do this work and nobody will let you do it, so you're a little bit nuts. You lie to people, you cheat, you do whatever it takes to get an audition, get a job.{{r|Meryman}}}}

Hackman began performing in several [[Off-Broadway]] plays, starting with ''Witness for the Prosecution'' in 1957 at the Gateway Playhouse in [[Bellport, New York]], and including ''Come to the Palace of Sin'' in 1963.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/gene-hackman-gateway-playhouse-ke88tbkc | title=Gene Hackman's Long Island connection: He started acting at Bellport's Gateway Playhouse | date=February 28, 2025 }}</ref> He got various bit roles, for example, in the film ''[[Mad Dog Coll (1961 film)|Mad Dog Coll]]'' and on multiple television series: ''[[Tallahassee 7000]]'', ''[[The United States Steel Hour]]'', ''[[Route 66 (TV series)|Route 66]]'', ''[[Naked City (TV series)|Naked City]]'', ''[[The Defenders (1961 TV series)|The Defenders]]'', ''[[The DuPont Show of the Week]]'', ''[[East Side/West Side]]'', and ''[[Brenner (TV series)|Brenner]]''.<ref name="Roots">{{cite news |last1=Roots |first1=Kimberley |title=Gene Hackman, Oscar-Winning Star of The French Connection, Dead at 95 |url=https://tvline.com/news/gene-hackman-dead-obituary-1235414119/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |work=TV Line |date=February 27, 2025 |quote=Hackman started his long and prestigious acting career on the stage and in television, appearing in series like The Defenders, The United States Steel Hour, Brenner, The Invaders and Iron Horse. |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227134105/https://tvline.com/news/gene-hackman-dead-obituary-1235414119/ |url-status=live}}</ref>  In 1963, he made his [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] debut in ''Children From Their Games'', which had only a short run, as did ''A Rainy Day in Newark''. However, ''[[Any Wednesday (play)|Any Wednesday]]'' with actress [[Sandy Dennis]] was a huge Broadway success in 1964.<ref name="Hall">{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Margaret |title=Oscar Winning Actor Gene Hackman Dies at 95 |url=https://playbill.com/article/oscar-winning-actor-gene-hackman-dies-at-95#:~:text=On%20Broadway%2C%20Mr.%20Hackman%20originated,%2C%20and%20Fragments%20%2F%20The%20Basement. |access-date=February 27, 2025 |work=Playbill |date=February 27, 2025 |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227203505/https://playbill.com/article/oscar-winning-actor-gene-hackman-dies-at-95#:~:text=On%20Broadway%2C%20Mr.%20Hackman%20originated,%2C%20and%20Fragments%20%2F%20The%20Basement. |url-status=live}}</ref> This opened the door to film work. His first credited role was in ''[[Lilith (film)|Lilith]]'', with [[Jean Seberg]] and [[Warren Beatty]] in the leading roles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmcomment.com/article/interview-gene-hackman/|title=Interview: Gene Hackman|website=Film Comment|first= Beverly|last=Walker|date= November–December 1988|access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Bonnie and Clyde (1967 cast photo).jpg|thumb|Hackman (left) with the cast of ''[[Bonnie and Clyde (film)|Bonnie and Clyde]]'' in 1967]]
Hackman returned to Broadway in ''Poor Richard'' (1964–65) by [[Jean Kerr]], which ran for over a hundred performances.<ref name="Hall"/> He continued to do television – ''[[The Trials of O'Brien]]'', ''[[Hawk (TV series)|Hawk]]'', and ''[[The F.B.I. (TV series)|The F.B.I.]]'' – and had a small part as Dr. John Whipple in the epic film ''[[Hawaii (1966 film)|Hawaii]].'' He had small roles in features like ''[[First to Fight (film)|First to Fight]]'' (1967), ''[[A Covenant with Death]]'' (1967), and ''[[Banning (film)|Banning]]'' (1967). Hackman was originally cast as Mr. Robinson in the 1967 [[Mike Nichols]] independent romantic comedy film ''[[The Graduate]]'', but Nichols fired him three weeks into rehearsal for being "too young" for the role; he was replaced by [[Murray Hamilton]].<ref>{{cite magazine | title=The Making of 'The Graduate' | magazine=Vanity Fair | date=February 25, 2008 | url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/03/graduate200803 | access-date=August 21, 2023 | archive-date=January 18, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118045634/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/03/graduate200803 | url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 1967, he appeared in an episode of the television series ''[[The Invaders]]'' entitled "[[The Invaders#Season 2 (1967–68)|The Spores]]" and as [[Buck Barrow]] in [[1967 in film|1967]]'s biographical crime drama ''[[Bonnie and Clyde (film)|Bonnie and Clyde]]'',<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio"/> which earned him an [[Academy Award]] nomination for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 40th Academy Awards |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1968 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=oscars.org |date=October 4, 2014 |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences]] |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819135057/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1968 |url-status=live}}</ref>

A return to Broadway that same year, ''The Natural Look'', ran for just one performance. Additionally, he performed Off-Broadway in ''Fragments and The Basement''. Hackman was in episodes of ''[[Iron Horse (TV series)|Iron Horse]]'' ("Leopards Try, But Leopards Can't") and ''[[Insight (American TV series)|Insight]]'' ("Confrontation"). In 1968, he appeared in an episode of ''[[I Spy (1965 TV series)|I Spy]]'', in the role of "Hunter", in the episode "Happy Birthday... Everybody". That same year, he starred in the ''[[CBS Playhouse]]'' episode "[[My Father and My Mother]]" and the dystopian television film ''[[Shadow on the Land]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kW8j6sHvrewC&pg=PA500 |title=Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors |last=Roberts |first=Jerry |publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]] |page=500 |isbn=9780810863781 |year=2009 |access-date=February 3, 2017 |via=Google Books}}</ref> In 1969, he played a ski coach in ''[[Downhill Racer]]'' and an astronaut in ''[[Marooned (1969 film)|Marooned]]''. Also that year, he played a member of a barnstorming skydiving team that entertained mostly at county fairs, a film which also inspired many to pursue [[skydiving]] and has a cult-like status amongst skydivers as a result: ''[[The Gypsy Moths]]''. Hackman supported [[Jim Brown]] in two films, ''[[The Split (film)|The Split]]'' (1968) and ''[[Riot (1969 film)|Riot]]'' (1969). Hackman nearly accepted the role of [[List of The Brady Bunch characters#Mike Brady|Mike Brady]] for the TV series ''[[The Brady Bunch]]'',<ref>{{cite web |title=You'll never watch 'The Brady Bunch' the same way again after reading these 12 facts |url=https://www.metv.com/lists/youll-never-watch-the-brady-bunch-the-same-way-again-after-reading-these-12-facts |work=[[Me TV]] |access-date=September 16, 2018 |date=June 9, 2016 |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916093308/https://www.metv.com/lists/youll-never-watch-the-brady-bunch-the-same-way-again-after-reading-these-12-facts |url-status=dead }}</ref> but his agent advised that he decline it in exchange for a more promising role, which he did, but this story is said to have been exaggerated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/books/2019/12/02/brady-bunch-mike-casting-robert-reed-book-excerpt/|title=How Robert Reed came to play 'The Brady Bunch' dad Mike (and who almost got the job instead)|website=EW.com|access-date=February 27, 2025|archive-date=May 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524162926/https://ew.com/books/2019/12/02/brady-bunch-mike-casting-robert-reed-book-excerpt/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1970–1979: Breakthrough and stardom===
[[File:Actors on the set of The Poseidon Adventure celebrating their Oscar wins.jpg|thumb|left|Hackman (4th from the left) while celebrating the [[Academy Awards]] with cast members of ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]'' in 1972]]
Hackman was nominated for a second Oscar for an [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]] for his role in the drama film ''[[I Never Sang for My Father]]'' (1970), directed by [[Gilbert Cates]]. Hackman acted opposite [[Melvyn Douglas]], where they played father and son who are unable to communicate. [[Roger Ebert]] wrote of his performance, "Much of the film is just between the two of them and the characters seem to work so well because Douglas and Hackman respond to each other in every shot; the effect is not of acting, but as if the story were happening right now while we see it."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/i-never-sang-for-my-father-1970|title= I Never Sang for My Father review|website= Rogerebert.com|accessdate= March 9, 2025|archive-date= December 27, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201227031302/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/i-never-sang-for-my-father-1970|url-status= live}}</ref> He starred in the drama ''[[Doctors' Wives (1971 film)|Doctors' Wives]]'' (1971) and the western film ''[[The Hunting Party (1971 film)|The Hunting Party]]'' (1971). He won his first [[Academy Award]] for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for his performance as [[New York City Police]] Detective [[Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle]] in the crime drama ''[[The French Connection (film)|The French Connection]]'' (1971), directed by [[William Friedkin]]. This film marked his graduation to stardom.<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio"/> Robert B. Frederick of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised the performances of Hackman and [[Roy Scheider]], writing, "They are very believable as two hard-nosed narcotics officers" who are also "overworked, tired and mean".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/1971/film/reviews/the-french-connection-2-1200422615/|title= The French Connection review|website= Variety|date= October 6, 1971|accessdate= March 9, 2025|archive-date= June 9, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210609040738/https://variety.com/1971/film/reviews/the-french-connection-2-1200422615/|url-status= live}}</ref>

After ''The French Connection'', Hackman starred in ten films (not including his cameo as a blind man in the [[Mel Brooks]]-directed satirical horror comedy film ''[[Young Frankenstein]]'' in 1974) over the next three years, making him the most prolific actor in [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] during that time frame. He followed ''The French Connection'' with leading roles in the drama ''[[Cisco Pike]]'' (1972), the action crime thriller ''[[Prime Cut]]'' (1972), and the disaster film ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]'' (1972). He also starred in the road comedy-drama ''[[Scarecrow (1973 film)|Scarecrow]]'' (1973) alongside [[Al Pacino]], which was Hackman's favorite role of his career and won the [[Palme d'Or]] at the [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Modest 'Scarecrow' Preps Fresh Field at Gotham|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/modest-scarecrow-preps-fresh-field-in-gotham-1200480535/|first=Peter |last=Debruge |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=December 31, 2024 |date=May 14, 2013}}</ref> The following year, he starred as a surveillance expert in the [[neo-noir]] [[mystery film|mystery thriller]] ''[[The Conversation]]'' (1974), directed by [[Francis Ford Coppola]], which was nominated for several Oscars and also won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes.<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio"/> That same year, Hackman appeared in what would become one of his most famous comedic roles, as Harold the Blind Man in ''Young Frankenstein''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weekend Top 10|url=http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-08-03/weekend-top-10-aug-3-2018.html|website=Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette|date=August 3, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916055938/http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-08-03/weekend-top-10-aug-3-2018.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hackman also appeared in the western ''[[Zandy's Bride]]'' (1974) and the neo-noir film ''[[Night Moves (1975 film)|Night Moves]]'' (1975) for director [[Arthur Penn]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zandy's Bride: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zandys_bride/cast-and-crew|access-date=February 27, 2025|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Night Moves: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/night_moves/cast-and-crew|access-date=February 27, 2025|website=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=February 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227201125/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/night_moves/cast-and-crew|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hackman played one of [[Teddy Roosevelt]]'s former [[Rough Riders]] in the Western horse-race saga ''[[Bite the Bullet (film)|Bite the Bullet]]'' (1975).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bite the Bullet: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bite_the_bullet/cast-and-crew|access-date=February 27, 2025|website=Rotten Tomatoes|archive-date=February 28, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228015958/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bite_the_bullet/cast-and-crew|url-status=live}}</ref> He reprised his Oscar-winning role as Doyle in the sequel ''[[French Connection II]]'' (1975), for which he was nominated for the [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] and the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama]]. He co-starred with [[Burt Reynolds]] and [[Liza Minnelli]] in the musical ''[[Lucky Lady]]'' (1975), directed by [[Stanley Donen]], a notorious flop. After making the neo-noir thriller ''[[The Domino Principle]]'' (1977) for [[Stanley Kramer]], Hackman was part of an all-star cast in the war film ''[[A Bridge Too Far (film)|A Bridge Too Far]]'' (1977), playing Polish General [[Stanisław Sosabowski]], and was an officer in the [[French Foreign Legion]] in ''[[March or Die (film)|March or Die]]'' (1977).<ref>{{Cite web|title=March or Die: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/march_or_die/cast-and-crew|access-date=February 27, 2025|website=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=February 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227205105/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/march_or_die/cast-and-crew|url-status=live}}</ref> Hackman showed a talent for both comedy and the "slow burn" as criminal mastermind [[Lex Luthor]] opposite [[Christopher Reeve]] in the leading role in the superhero film ''[[Superman: The Movie]]'' (1978).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Superman: The Movie: Full Cast & Crew|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_the_movie/cast-and-crew |access-date=February 27, 2025|website=Rotten Tomatoes|archive-date=February 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227232303/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_the_movie/cast-and-crew|url-status=live}}</ref> Ron Pennington of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' wrote of his performance, "Hackman plays Lex Luthor, 'the greatest criminal mind of our time,' with an effective light touch, making him humorous but not out-and-out comical."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/superman-1978-review-1235059378/|title= 'Superman': THR's 1978 Review|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date= December 10, 2021|accessdate= March 9, 2025|archive-date= January 21, 2025|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250121140509/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/superman-1978-review-1235059378/|url-status= live}}</ref> He reprised the role for two of its sequels, ''[[Superman II]]'' (1980) and ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]'' (1987).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Superman II: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_ii/cast-and-crew|access-date=February 27, 2025|website=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=February 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227200249/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_ii/cast-and-crew |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Superman IV: The Quest for Peace: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_iv_the_quest_for_peace/cast-and-crew|access-date=February 27, 2025 |website= Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref>

===1980–1999: Established career and acclaim===
{{Quote box|
| align = right
| width = 25em
| quote = Gene is someone who is a very intuitive and instinctive actor&nbsp;... The brilliance of Gene Hackman is that he can look at a scene and he can cut through to what is necessary, and he does it with extraordinary economy – he's the quintessential movie actor. He's never showy ''ever'', but he's always right on.
| source = —[[Alan Parker]]<br />director of ''Mississippi Burning'' (1988)<ref>Gonthier, David F. and O'Brien, Timothy M. ''The Films of Alan Parker, 1976–2003'', McFarland (2015) p. 167</ref>
}}

Hackman alternated between leading and supporting roles during the 1980s. He appeared opposite [[Barbra Streisand]] in ''[[All Night Long (1981 film)|All Night Long]]'' (1981) and supported Warren Beatty in ''[[Reds (film)|Reds]]'' (1981). He played the lead in ''[[Eureka (1983 film)|Eureka]]'' (1983) and a supporting role in ''[[Under Fire (1983 film)|Under Fire]]'' (1983). Hackman provided the voice of God in ''[[Two of a Kind (1983 film)|Two of a Kind]]'' (1983) and starred in ''[[Uncommon Valor]]'' (1983), ''[[Misunderstood (1984 film)|Misunderstood]]'' (1984), ''[[Twice in a Lifetime (1985 film)|Twice in a Lifetime]]'' (1985), ''[[Target (1985 film)|Target]]'' (1985) for Arthur Penn, and ''[[Power (1986 film)|Power]]'' (1986). Between 1985 and 1988, he starred in nine films, making him the busiest actor, alongside [[Steve Guttenberg]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 5, 1988|page=1|last=Cohn|first=Lawrence|title=Acting Jobs Steadiest Since Studio Era}}</ref> Hackman played a high school basketball coach in ''[[Hoosiers (film)|Hoosiers]]'' (1986), which a 2008 [[American Film Institute]] poll named the fourth-greatest sports film of all time.<ref>{{cite web |title=MAFFEI: 'Hoosiers' still a classic after 25 years |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-maffei-hoosiers-still-a-classic-after-25-years-2011feb17-story.html |work=San Diego Union Tribune |date=February 18, 2011 |access-date=August 17, 2018 |archive-date=August 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818052147/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-maffei-hoosiers-still-a-classic-after-25-years-2011feb17-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> After ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]'' (1987), he also voiced [[Nuclear Man]] (who was portrayed by Mark Pillow) and was in ''[[No Way Out (1987 film)|No Way Out]]'' (1987), ''[[Split Decisions]]'' (1988), ''[[Bat*21]]'' (1988), and ''[[Full Moon in Blue Water]]'' (1988).

Hackman acted opposite [[Gena Rowlands]] in the [[Woody Allen]] drama ''[[Another Woman (1988 film)|Another Woman]]'' (1988).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Another Woman: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/another_woman/cast-and-crew |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227201504/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/another_woman/cast-and-crew |url-status=live}}</ref> Hackman starred in the [[Alan Parker]]-directed crime drama ''[[Mississippi Burning]]'' (1988), costarring [[Willem Dafoe]], where they portrayed [[FBI agents]] investigating the murder of 3 civil rights student activists. He earned acclaim for the role, with [[Roger Ebert]] praising his performance for his subtlety.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mississippi-burning-1988|title= Mississippi Burning review|website= Rogerebert.com|access-date= February 28, 2025|archive-date= April 21, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160421132742/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mississippi-burning-1988|url-status= live}}</ref> He was nominated for a second [[Academy Award for Best Actor]], losing to [[Dustin Hoffman]] for ''[[Rain Man]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=1989 Oscars |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1989 |website=Oscars |date=October 5, 2014 |access-date=August 17, 2018 |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706095646/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1989 |url-status=live}}</ref> After this he appeared in ''[[The Package (1989 film)|The Package]]'' (1989).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Package: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/package/cast-and-crew |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227215301/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/package/cast-and-crew |url-status=live}}</ref> Hackman starred in ''[[Loose Cannons (1990 film)|Loose Cannons]]'' (1990) with [[Dan Aykroyd]], and he had a supporting role in ''[[Postcards from the Edge]]'' (1990). He appeared with [[Anne Archer]] in ''[[Narrow Margin]]'' (1990), a remake of the 1952 film ''[[The Narrow Margin]]''. After ''[[Class Action (film)|Class Action]]'' (1991) and ''[[Company Business]]'' (1991), Hackman played the sadistic sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett in the [[Western (genre)|Western]] ''[[Unforgiven]]'', directed by [[Clint Eastwood]] and written by [[David Webb Peoples]]. Hackman had pledged to avoid violent roles, but Eastwood convinced him to take the part, which earned him a second Oscar, this time for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]. The film also won [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]].<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio"/>

Hackman returned to [[Broadway (theater)|Broadway]], starring in the 1992 [[Ariel Dorfman]] play ''[[Death and the Maiden (play)|Death and the Maiden]]'', acting opposite [[Glenn Close]] and [[Richard Dreyfus]] at the [[Brooks Atkinson Theater]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/death-and-the-maiden-brooks-atkinson-theatre-vault-0000008008|title= Death and the Maiden (1992, Broadway)|website= Playbill|access-date= February 28, 2025|archive-date= March 3, 2025|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250303191120/https://playbill.com/production/death-and-the-maiden-brooks-atkinson-theatre-vault-0000008008|url-status= live}}</ref> In 1993, he appeared in ''[[Geronimo: An American Legend]]'' as Brigadier General [[George Crook]] and co-starred with [[Tom Cruise]] as a corrupt lawyer in ''[[The Firm (1993 film)|The Firm]]'', a legal thriller based on the [[The Firm (novel)|John Grisham novel of the same name]]. Hackman would appear in two other films based on [[John Grisham]] novels, playing Sam Cayhall, a [[Klansman]] on [[death row]], in ''[[The Chamber (1996 film)|The Chamber]]'' (1996), and jury consultant Rankin Fitch in ''[[Runaway Jury]]'' (2003). Other films Hackman appeared in during the 1990s include ''[[Wyatt Earp (film)|Wyatt Earp]]'' (1994) (as Nicholas Porter Earp, ''[[Wyatt Earp]]''{{'}}s father), ''[[The Quick and the Dead (1995 film)|The Quick and the Dead]]'' (1995) opposite [[Sharon Stone]], [[Leonardo DiCaprio]], and [[Russell Crowe]], and as submarine Captain Frank Ramsey alongside [[Denzel Washington]] in ''[[Crimson Tide (film)|Crimson Tide]]'' (1995).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crimson Tide: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/crimson_tide/cast-and-crew |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227221532/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/crimson_tide/cast-and-crew |url-status=live}}</ref>

Hackman played film producer Harry Zimm alongside [[John Travolta]] in the comedy-drama ''[[Get Shorty (film)|Get Shorty]]'' (1995). In 1996, he took a comedic turn as conservative Senator Kevin Keeley in ''[[The Birdcage]]'' with [[Robin Williams]] and [[Nathan Lane]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Birdcage at 20 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/birdcage-20-20-film-article-1.2581258 |website=[[New York Daily News]] |access-date=August 17, 2018}}</ref> He co-starred with [[Hugh Grant]] in ''[[Extreme Measures]]'' (1996) and reunited with Clint Eastwood in ''[[Absolute Power (film)|Absolute Power]]'' (1997). Hackman did ''[[Twilight (1998 film)|Twilight]]'' (1998) with Paul Newman for director [[Robert Benton]], voiced the villain in the [[DreamWorks Animation|DreamWorks]]' animated film ''[[Antz]]'' (1998), and co-starred with [[Will Smith]] in ''[[Enemy of the State (film)|Enemy of the State]]'' (1998), his character reminiscent of the one he had portrayed in ''The Conversation''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Enemy of the State: Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/enemy_of_the_state/cast-and-crew |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227212344/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/enemy_of_the_state/cast-and-crew |url-status=live}}</ref>

===2000–2004: Final films and retirement===
[[File:GeneHackmanJun08.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|Hackman in 2008]]
Hackman co-starred with [[Morgan Freeman]] in ''[[Under Suspicion (2000 film)|Under Suspicion]]'' (2000), [[Keanu Reeves]] in ''[[The Replacements (film)|The Replacements]]'' (2000), [[Owen Wilson]] in ''[[Behind Enemy Lines (2001 film)|Behind Enemy Lines]]'' (2001), and [[Sigourney Weaver]] in ''[[Heartbreakers (2001 film)|Heartbreakers]]'' (2001) and appeared in the [[David Mamet]] crime thriller ''[[Heist (2001 film)|Heist]]'' (2001)<ref>{{cite news |title=Film Review; Forget the Girl and Gold; Look for the Chemistry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/09/movies/film-review-forget-the-girl-and-gold-look-for-the-chemistry.html |website=The New York Times |date=November 9, 2001 |access-date=September 16, 2018 |last1=Scott |first1=A. O. |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916055958/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/09/movies/film-review-forget-the-girl-and-gold-look-for-the-chemistry.html |url-status=live}}</ref> as an aging professional thief of considerable skill who is forced into one final job. He made a cameo in ''[[The Mexican]]'' (2001).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mexican movie review & film summary (2001) {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-mexican-2001 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=www.rogerebert.com |language=en-US |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608001116/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-mexican-2001 |url-status=live}}</ref> Hackman gained much critical acclaim<ref>{{Cite news |last=Larman |first=Alexander |date=November 16, 2021 |title=Gene Hackman's one-man war on The Royal Tenenbaums |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/gene-hackmans-one-man-war-royal-tenenbaums/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804141714/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/gene-hackmans-one-man-war-royal-tenenbaums/ |url-status=live}}</ref> playing against type as the head of an eccentric family in [[Wes Anderson]]'s comedy film ''[[The Royal Tenenbaums]]'' (2001). Frank Scheck of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' wrote, "Hackman is utter perfection as the misbegotten paterfamilias, conveying beautifully Royal's underlying decency and love for his family as well as his con-man slickness."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/royal-tenenbaums-2001-review-935292/|title= 'The Royal Tenenbaums': THR's 2001 Review|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date= October 5, 2016|access-date= February 28, 2024}}</ref> For his performance, he received the [[Golden Globe Award]] for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gene Hackman – Golden Globes |url=https://goldenglobes.com/person/gene-hackman/ |website=Golden Globes |access-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108123514/https://goldenglobes.com/person/gene-hackman/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, he also starred in another John Grisham legal drama, ''[[Runaway Jury]]'', at long last getting to make a picture with his long-time friend [[Dustin Hoffman]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edelstein |first1=David |title='Who are you calling a star?': Gene Hackman interviewed at home in Santa Fe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/jan/27/1 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=January 27, 2002 |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801034256/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/jan/27/1 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cameron Diaz and other celebs who have retired from stage and screen |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/movies/2018/04/04/cameron-diaz-and-other-celebs-who-have-retired/480732002/ |website=AZ Central |access-date=August 18, 2018 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512104624/https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/movies/2018/04/04/cameron-diaz-and-other-celebs-who-have-retired/480732002/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004, Hackman appeared alongside [[Ray Romano]] in the comedy ''[[Welcome to Mooseport]]'', his final film acting role.<ref name="Roots" /> Hackman was honored with the [[Cecil B. DeMille Award]] from the [[Golden Globe Awards]] for his "outstanding contribution to the entertainment field" in 2003. [[Michael Caine]] and [[Robin Williams]] presented him with the award.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Nov_14/ai_94221542 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709200148/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Nov_14/ai_94221542 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 9, 2012 | title = Business Wire, November 14, 2002. Hollywood. 'Gene Hackman to Receive HFPA'S Cecil B. DeMille Award At 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards to be Telecast Live on NBC on Sunday, January 19, 2003' |publisher=Findarticles.com |date= November 14, 2002|access-date=June 17, 2010}}</ref>

In July 2004, Hackman gave a rare interview to [[Larry King]], where he announced that he had no future film projects lined up and believed his acting career was over.<ref>{{cite web |title=CNN.com Transcripts |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/lkl/date/2004-07-07/segment/01 |website=CNN.com |access-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228013928/https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/lkl/date/2004-07-07/segment/01 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, while promoting his third novel, he confirmed that he had retired from acting.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idINN0429553020080605|title=Just a Minute With: Gene Hackman on his retirement|author=Blair, Iain|work=[[Reuters]]|date=June 5, 2008|access-date=July 19, 2008|archive-date=April 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413115115/http://in.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idINN0429553020080605|url-status=dead}}</ref> That year, Hackman made his last televised appearance in ''[[Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives]]'', as [[Guy Fieri]] went to a Santa Fe diner where Hackman was eating.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/gene-hackman-diners-drive-ins-and-dives-guy-fieri/|title=Gene Hackman's Last On-Screen Appearance Was... Opposite Guy Fieri?!?!|author=Cox, Danny |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=October 7, 2023|access-date=October 13, 2023}}</ref> Speaking on his retirement in 2009, Hackman said, "The straw that broke the camel's back was actually a stress test that I took in New York. The doctor advised me that my heart wasn't in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/why-did-gene-hackman-quit-acting/#:~:text=In+a+rare+moment+of,putting+it+under+any+stress%E2%80%9D.|title=Why did Gene Hackman quit acting?|date=February 8, 2024|website=faroutmagazine.co.uk|access-date=February 27, 2025|archive-date=November 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123034931/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/why-did-gene-hackman-quit-acting/#:~:text=In+a+rare+moment+of,putting+it+under+any+stress%E2%80%9D.|url-status=live}}</ref> When asked during a ''[[GQ]]'' magazine interview in 2011 if he would ever come out of retirement to do one more film, he said he might consider it "if I could do it in my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/story/gene-hackman-gq-june-2011-interview|title=Eighty-one Years. Seventy-nine Movies. Two Oscars. Not One Bad Performance.|first=Michael|last=Hainey|agency=GQ|date=June 1, 2011|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-date=February 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218191424/http://www.gq.com/story/gene-hackman-gq-june-2011-interview|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Other work ==
[[File:GeneHackmanJun2108.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.85|Hackman at a book signing in 2008]]
Together with [[Underwater archaeology|undersea archaeologist]] Daniel Lenihan, Hackman wrote three historical fiction novels: ''Wake of the Perdido Star'' (1999),<ref>{{cite web |title=Hackman's, Bergen's talents shine on film, in books |url=https://bouldercityreview.com/opinion/hackmans-bergens-talents-shine-on-film-in-books/ |newspaper=Bouldercityreview |first=Tanya |last=Vece |date=January 31, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916060020/https://bouldercityreview.com/opinion/hackmans-bergens-talents-shine-on-film-in-books/ |url-status=live}}</ref> a sea adventure of the 19th century; ''Justice for None'' (2004),<ref>{{cite web |title=Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima': Gene Hackman narrates |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/tv-guy/os-unknown-flag-raiser-of-iwo-jima-gene-hackman-narrates-20160702-story.html |website=Orlando Sentinel |date=July 2, 2016 |access-date=September 16, 2018 |last1=Boedeker |first1=Hal |archive-date=June 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602131841/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/tv-guy/os-unknown-flag-raiser-of-iwo-jima-gene-hackman-narrates-20160702-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> a [[Depression-era]] tale of murder based on a real-life crime in his boyhood town of Danville;<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Caro |first1=Mark |last2=Reports |first2=Staff |date=June 6, 2004 |title=It's murder he wrote as Gene Hackman returns to Danville |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/06/06/its-murder-he-wrote-as-gene-hackman-returns-to-danville/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227153941/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/06/06/its-murder-he-wrote-as-gene-hackman-returns-to-danville/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Escape from Andersonville'' (2008), about a prison escape during the [[American Civil War]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Just a Minute With: Gene Hackman on his retirement |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/us-books-hackman/just-a-minute-with-gene-hackman-on-his-retirement-idINN0429553020080605 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214050637/https://in.reuters.com/article/us-books-hackman/just-a-minute-with-gene-hackman-on-his-retirement-idINN0429553020080605 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 14, 2017 |last=Blair |first=Ian |date=June 5, 2008 |access-date=July 19, 2018 |work=[[Reuters]] |editor-first=Bob |editor-last=Tourtellotte |editor2-first=Patricia |editor2-last=Reaney}}</ref> His first solo effort, a story of love and revenge set in the Old West titled ''Payback at Morning Peak'', was released in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/payback-at-morning-peak-actor-gene-hackman-revisits-the-west-8212-as-a-writer/ |title='Payback at Morning Peak': Actor Gene Hackman revisits the West – as a writer |date=July 30, 2011 |access-date=August 3, 2018 |first=Douglass K. |last=Daniel |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]]}}</ref> His final novel, ''Pursuit'', a police thriller, followed in 2013.<ref>{{cite book |title=Amazon.com: Pursuit: 9781451623574 |isbn=1451623577}}</ref>

After retiring from acting, Hackman narrated four episodes of the [[NFL Films]] sports documentary series ''[[America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions]]'' in 2007.<ref name="IMDB">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1213209/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cst_sm|title=America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions – Full Cast & Crew|website=imdb.com|access-date=February 27, 2025|language=en}}</ref> He later narrated two documentaries related to the [[United States Marine Corps]]: ''The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima'' (2016)''<ref>Smithsonian Channel.com: {{Citation|title=Sneak Peek: The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima|url=https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/videos/sneak-peek-the-unknown-flag-raiser-of-iwo-jima/49911|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913031424/https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/videos/sneak-peek-the-unknown-flag-raiser-of-iwo-jima/49911|language=en|access-date=October 31, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>'' and ''We, the Marines'' (2017)''.''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Barber|first=James|date=December 20, 2018|title='Marine for Life' Gene Hackman Narrates the Story of the USMC|url=https://www.military.com/undertheradar/2018/12/20/marine-life-gene-hackman-narrates-story-usmc.html|access-date=April 19, 2021|website=Military.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
===Marriages and family===
[[File:Betsy Arakawa c. 1981 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Hackman married classical pianist [[Betsy Arakawa]] in 1991.]]
In 1956, Hackman married Faye Maltese (1928–2017),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/the-gene-genie-works-his-magic-off-screen-26255780.html |title=The Gene genie works his magic off screen |first=Shane |last=Ross |author-link=Shane Ross |date=August 6, 2000 |access-date=August 24, 2018 |newspaper=[[Irish Independent]] |publisher=[[INM Website]] |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824065742/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/the-gene-genie-works-his-magic-off-screen-26255780.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2022 |title=Inside Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa's Happy Marriage |url=https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/gene-hackmans-wife-get-to-know-betsy-arakawa/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Closer Weekly |language=en-US |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926202822/https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/gene-hackmans-wife-get-to-know-betsy-arakawa/ |url-status=live}}</ref> with whom he had one son and two daughters: Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne Hackman.<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Brady |title=In Step with Gene Hackman |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=20011230&id=Rg4wAAAAIBAJ&pg=2998,4869880 |work=Parade |publisher=The Blade |date=December 30, 2001 |access-date=September 28, 2013}}</ref> He was often out on location making films while the children were growing up.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2011 |title=Is Gene Hackman Retired From Acting? GQ Interview June 2011 |url=https://www.gq.com/story/gene-hackman-gq-june-2011-interview |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=GQ |language=en-US |archive-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218191424/http://www.gq.com/story/gene-hackman-gq-june-2011-interview |url-status=live}}</ref> The couple divorced in 1986, after three decades of marriage.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/19/magazine/hollywood-s-uncommon-everyman.html |title=Hollywood's Uncommon Everyman |last=Norman |first=Michael |date=March 19, 1989 |access-date=August 3, 2018 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=6029 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618052947/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/19/magazine/hollywood-s-uncommon-everyman.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 1, 1991, Hackman married classical pianist [[Betsy Arakawa]] (1959–2025) after they had dated for seven years.<ref>{{cite book |last=Shelley |first=Peter |year=2018 |title=Gene Hackman: The Life and Work |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_tt8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA122 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |publisher=McFarland |page=122 |isbn=978-1-4766-7047-8 |archive-date=March 3, 2025 |access-date=March 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303023155/https://books.google.com/books?id=_tt8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA122 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lidz |first=Franz |date=September 2011 |title=Gene Hackman's new novel |url=http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/arts-leisure/info-09-2011/gene-hackman.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209175057/https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/arts-leisure/info-09-2011/gene-hackman.html |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |access-date=January 26, 2021 |work=[[AARP: The Magazine]] |publisher=[[AARP]] |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/us/betsy-arakawa-wife-gene-hackman-dead.html|title = Betsy Arakawa, a Classical Musician and the Wife of Gene Hackman, Dies at 65|last = Wolfe|first = Jonathan|date = February 27, 2025|access-date = February 27, 2025|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|url-access = limited}}</ref> They shared a [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]], home, which ''[[Architectural Digest]]'' featured in 1990.<ref name="Chatfield-Taylor">{{Cite web |date=April 1, 1990 |title=Gene Hackman's Rustic Santa Fe Home |last=Chatfield-Taylor |first=Joan |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/gene-hackman-santa-fe-home |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240413153759/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/gene-hackman-santa-fe-home| archive-date= April 13, 2024| url-status= live| url-access= subscription |work= Architectural Digest |language=en-US |access-date= February 27, 2025}}</ref> At the time, the home blended [[Art of the American Southwest|Southwestern]] styles and was at the crest of a 12-acre hilltop, with a 360-degree view that stretched to the [[List of Colorado mountains|Jemez, Sangre de Cristo, and Sandia mountains]].<ref name="Chatfield-Taylor" />

===Views and interests===
[[File:President Ronald Reagan with Gene Hackman (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Hackman (right) with President [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1987]]
Hackman was a supporter of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] and said he was "proud" to be included on [[Master list of Nixon's political opponents|Nixon's Enemies List]]. However, he spoke fondly about [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] president [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Chilton |first=Martin |date=January 26, 2020 |title=Gene Hackman: The tormented, brawling genius of film |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/gene-hackman-90-birthday-french-connection-unforgiven-a9295326.html |access-date=July 6, 2021 |work=The Independent |archive-date=October 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003095621/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/gene-hackman-90-birthday-french-connection-unforgiven-a9295326.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the late 1970s, Hackman competed in [[Sports Car Club of America]] races, driving an open-wheeled [[Formula Ford]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-13-tm-1434-story.html |title=Pleasures of the Road: Track Starts : Paul Newman, Gene Hackman, Perry King and Lorenzo Lamas rap on racing |first=Nikki |last=Finke |author-link=Nikki Finke |date=March 13, 1998 |access-date=August 24, 2018 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807001432/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-13-tm-1434-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/23/automobiles/on-the-track-movie-stars-as-racecar-drivers-what-s-their-motivation.html |title=On the Track; Movie Stars as Racecar Drivers: What's Their Motivation? |first=Joseph |last=Siano |date=October 23, 2002 |access-date=August 24, 2018 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824065937/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/23/automobiles/on-the-track-movie-stars-as-racecar-drivers-what-s-their-motivation.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1980, he won the [[Long Beach]] [[Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=Smith, Steven Cole |title=Gene Hackman Was the "Most Impressive" Celebrity Driver Bob Bondurant Ever Coached |url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/people/gene-hackman-was-the-most-impressive-celebrity-driver-bob-bondurant-ever-coached/ |work=Hagerty |date=February 27, 2025 |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227223707/https://www.hagerty.com/media/people/gene-hackman-was-the-most-impressive-celebrity-driver-bob-bondurant-ever-coached/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Grand Prix of Long Beach 2016 Fan Guide |url=https://gplb.com/app/uploads/2016/10/2016-Fan-Guide-webvF.pdf|date=April 15–17, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170110015227/https://gplb.com/app/uploads/2016/10/2016-Fan-Guide-webvF.pdf |archive-date=January 10, 2017 |website= gplb.com| publisher= Grand Prix of Long Beach|access-date=January 9, 2017}}</ref> He also drove a [[Dan Gurney]] Team [[Toyota]] in the [[24 Hours of Daytona]] Endurance Race in 1983.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/comment/actors-with-driving-ambition/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/comment/actors-with-driving-ambition/ |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Actors with driving ambition |first=Andrew |last=Frankel |date=January 2, 2016 |access-date=August 24, 2018 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Hackman was a fan of the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]], an [[NFL]] football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, and regularly attended Jaguars games as a guest of former head coach [[Jack Del Rio]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Hayden |first=Bird |date=Jun 20, 2011 |title=NFL: Celebrity Fans for Every Team |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/740746-the-most-famous-celebrity-fan-for-every-nfl-team |access-date=August 3, 2018 |work=Bleacher Report |publisher=Bleacher Report |archive-date=May 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525201222/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740746-the-most-famous-celebrity-fan-for-every-nfl-team |url-status=dead }}</ref> Their friendship went back to Del Rio's playing days at the [[University of Southern California]].<ref>{{cite web | first= Bart| last= Hubbuch |date=November 29, 2005 |title=Jaguars Notebook: Chatter angers Cardinals |url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/112905/jag_20422934.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104105358/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/112905/jag_20422934.shtml |archive-date=January 4, 2012 |access-date=September 16, 2018 |publisher=Jacksonville.com}}</ref>

Hackman was also interested in architecture and design. As of 1990, he had created ten homes, two of which were featured in ''[[Architectural Digest]]''.<ref name="Chatfield-Taylor" /> After a period of time, he moved on to another house restoration. "I don't know what's wrong with me," he remarked. "I guess I like the process, and when it's over, it's over."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warga |first=Wayne |date=May 20, 2016 |title=Gene Hackman's House in Montecito, California |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/gene-hackman-palm-springs-house |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926195427/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/gene-hackman-palm-springs-house |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US}}</ref> Hackman was an active cyclist well into his 90s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Catch 88-Year-Old Gene Hackman Cruising Around Santa Fe on His New E-bike |work=[[Men's Journal]] |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/gear/catch-88-year-old-gene-hackman-cruising-around-santa-fe-on-his-new-e-bike/ |access-date=November 27, 2021 |archive-date=November 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127202832/https://www.mensjournal.com/gear/catch-88-year-old-gene-hackman-cruising-around-santa-fe-on-his-new-e-bike/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dolak |first=Kevin |date=March 3, 2025 |title=Contradictory Accounts of Gene Hackman's Health in His Final Months Emerge |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/gene-hackman-final-months-details-friends-family-1236153723/ |access-date=March 3, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=March 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303224258/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/gene-hackman-final-months-details-friends-family-1236153723/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Health===
In 1990, Hackman underwent an [[angioplasty]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Still the Tough Guy |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-dec-16-ca-welkos16-story.html |first=Robert W. |last=Welkos |website=Los Angeles Times |date=December 16, 2001 |access-date=August 17, 2018 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807064930/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-dec-16-ca-welkos16-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, Hackman was struck by a pickup truck while he was cycling in the [[Florida Keys]]. It was initially reported that he had suffered serious head trauma; however, his publicist stated that his injury was nothing more than "bumps and bruises".<ref>{{cite news |date=January 14, 2012 |title=Gene Hackman struck by car while riding bike |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/13/showbiz/hackman-accident/index.html |access-date=August 3, 2018 |work=[[CNN Entertainment]]}}</ref> Hackman attended an event in Santa Fe in late 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Rare new photo of retired actor Gene Hackman, 92, delights movie fans |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/gene-hackman-age-photo-b2077188.html|first=Jacob|last=Stolworthy |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=En-US}}</ref> He was last seen in public in March 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/gene-hackman-wife-betsy-arakawa-last-photos-before-deaths-11687402|title=Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Seen in Last Photos Taken During Rare Outing Nearly 1 Year Before Their Deaths|website=People Magazine|author=Becca Longmire|date=February 27, 2025}}</ref> After his death, autopsy reports revealed Hackman had [[Alzheimer's disease]], which contributed to his death.<ref name="Stahl">{{Cite web |last=Stahl |first=Jay |title=Gene Hackman cause of death released |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/03/07/gene-hackman-cause-of-death-wife/80684790007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307225254/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/03/07/gene-hackman-cause-of-death-wife/80684790007/ |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Death==
In the final months of his life, Hackman's neighbors in [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]], noticed that his health appeared to be declining, and he and Arakawa ceased communicating with family and friends.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dolak |first=Kevin |date=March 3, 2025 |title=Contradictory Accounts of Gene Hackman's Health in His Final Months Emerge |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/gene-hackman-final-months-details-friends-family-1236153723/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303224258/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/gene-hackman-final-months-details-friends-family-1236153723/ |archive-date=March 3, 2025 |access-date=March 3, 2025 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Arakawa, Hackman's sole caregiver, was last seen alive at a [[CVS Pharmacy]] on February 11, 2025, and returned to their [[gated community]] at 5:15&nbsp;p.m.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jervis |first=Rick |title=A mask, a cane and a frantic dog: Inside the final hours of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/03/09/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-final-hours-hantavirus/82058693007/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> On February 12, Arakawa called a private physician and made an appointment for that afternoon, complaining of respiratory problems, but did not attend.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Moots |first1=Sumiko |last2=Romero |first2=Dennis |date=2025-03-17 |title=Calls to medical clinic show Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman's wife, was alive longer than previously believed |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/calls-medical-clinic-betsy-arakawa-gene-hackman-alive-longer-rcna196820 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=[[NBC News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Arakawa died in their home a short time later from [[hantavirus pulmonary syndrome]]. Hackman did not seek help; authorities believe he was unable to comprehend her death due to [[Alzheimer's disease]].<ref name="Stahl" /> Hackman died in the home around February 18, at which point his [[pacemaker]] recorded an [[Abnormal heart rhythm|abnormal rhythm]]. He died from severe [[heart disease]], complicated by advanced Alzheimer's disease and [[kidney disease]], at the age of 95.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Gene Hackman died of heart disease, his wife died of hantavirus about 1 week prior, authorities say |url=https://www.wyff4.com/article/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-deaths-investigation/64086305 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307224552/https://www.wyff4.com/article/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-deaths-investigation/64086305 |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=WYFF |language=en}}</ref>

On February 26, the bodies of Hackman, Arakawa, and one of their dogs were found by maintenance workers.<ref name="Jacobs2">{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Julia |last2=Watkins |first2=Ali |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Scattered Pills Found Near Body of Hackman's Wife As Inquiry Continues |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/us/gene-hackman-wife-dead-new-mexico.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250228083059/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/us/gene-hackman-wife-dead-new-mexico.html |archive-date=February 28, 2025 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Their other two dogs were found alive in the home.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2025 |title=Gene Hackman cops admit huge crime scene blunder as mystery surrounding actor's death deepens |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity-life/gene-hackman-cops-admit-huge-crime-scene-blunder-as-mystery-surrounding-actors-death-deepens/news-story/b1c62369c3700f77450bb975ee35276d?amp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2025 |title=Gene Hackman's dog was misidentified as other mysteries swirl around actor's death |url=https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-died-dogs-santa-fe-22d7f6921577f012c87027de8652795d |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305230652/https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-died-dogs-santa-fe-22d7f6921577f012c87027de8652795d |archive-date=March 5, 2025 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> Although foul play was not suspected, the deaths were deemed suspicious enough to warrant an investigation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Glynn |first=Paul |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Death of Hackman and wife 'suspicious enough' for investigation, police say |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewkkkvkzn9o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250227225826/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewkkkvkzn9o |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref name="Montoya Bryan2">{{Cite web |last1=Montoya Bryan |first1=Susan |last2=Melley |first2=Brian |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were dead for some time, warrant shows |url=https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-found-dead-f6c106e92987aeaaab7b35c1b956a5c8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227114752/https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-found-dead-f6c106e92987aeaaab7b35c1b956a5c8 |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |work=[[Associated Press]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Patrick |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Hackman and wife died of natural causes several days apart, officials say |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqlyy1rld0ko |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309181300/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqlyy1rld0ko |archive-date=March 9, 2025 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Hackman's [[Estate (law)|estate]] requested that the courts block images and videos related to the investigation, such as [[police body camera]] footage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-14 |title=Gene Hackman's estate asks court to block the release of police images and videos |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gene-hackmans-estate-asks-court-block-release-police-images-videos-rcna196391?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Arakawa's will stated that if they were to die within 90 days of each other, the proceeds would go to charity; Hackman's will, created in 1995, listed Arakawa as his sole inheritor.<ref name="Granville25">{{cite news |last1=Granville |first1=Samantha |title=Hackman's children not named in actor's $80m will |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7985ld2lrro |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=15 March 2025 |location=Los Angeles}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-14 |title=Gene Hackman's will leaves his full $80M fortune to late wife and doesn't mention his 3 children |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/14/gene-hackman-will/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US |url-access=limited}} Note: {{as of|2025|March|lc=y|post=,}} access to this source is [[geo-blocking|location-restricted]].</ref> In October 2025, it was announced that [[Bonhams]] would auction off Hackman's personal belongings, including his art collection, personal artworks, scripts, film memorabilia, and three of his [[Golden Globe Awards]] trophies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=2025-10-17 |title=Gene Hackman's Golden Globes, Art Collection Are Being Auctioned Off |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/gene-hackman-golden-globe-art-collection-auctioned-off-1235449843/ |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Tributes and legacy===
Numerous members of the film industry paid tribute to Hackman following his death. [[Clint Eastwood]], who directed Hackman in the films ''[[Unforgiven]]'' (1992) and ''[[Absolute Power (film)|Absolute Power]]'' (1997), wrote in a statement: "There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much." [[Francis Ford Coppola]], who directed him in ''[[The Conversation]]'' (1974), wrote: "Gene Hackman [was] a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution."<ref>{{cite news |last=Morrow |first=Brendan |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Viola Davis, Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood and more pay tribute to Gene Hackman |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/02/27/gene-hackman-dead-tributes-reaction/80676103007/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227135931/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/02/27/gene-hackman-dead-tributes-reaction/80676103007/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 

[[Morgan Freeman]] paid tribute to Hackman at the [[97th Academy Awards]], saying, "Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer whose gifts elevated everyone's work" and that he would be "remembered [as someone who did good work] and so much more."<ref>{{cite web |last=Moorman |first=Taijuan |last2=Alexander |first2=Bryan |date=March 2, 2025 |title=Morgan Freeman tribute to Gene Hackman at Oscars honors Academy Award-winning actor after death |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/03/02/gene-hackman-death-oscars-tribute-morgan-freeman-in-memoriam/80707111007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303031908/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/03/02/gene-hackman-death-oscars-tribute-morgan-freeman-in-memoriam/80707111007/ |archive-date=March 3, 2025 |accessdate=March 8, 2025 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> Others who paid tribute included [[Dustin Hoffman]], [[Glenn Close]], [[Tom Hanks]], [[Viola Davis]], [[Bill Murray]], [[Mel Brooks]], [[Alec Baldwin]], [[Gwyneth Paltrow]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Nathan Lane]], [[Josh Brolin]], [[John Cusack]], [[Ben Stiller]], [[Antonio Banderas]], [[Hank Azaria]], [[George Takei]], and [[Jennifer Love Hewitt]].<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite magazine |last=Patton |first=Tess |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Bill Murray Lovingly Remembers Gene Hackman as 'A Little Irritable' but 'Great' While Filming 'The Royal Tenenbaums' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/bill-murray-remembers-gene-hackman-drew-barrymore-show/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |magazine=[[TheWrap]]}}
* {{cite web |last=Garner |first=Glenn |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Dustin Hoffman Compares "Genius" Gene Hackman To Marlon Brando: "A Giant Among Actors" |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/dustin-hoffman-compares-genius-gene-hackman-marlon-brando-1236304979/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228042906/https://deadline.com/2025/02/dustin-hoffman-compares-genius-gene-hackman-marlon-brando-1236304979/ |url-status=live}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Russell |first=Shania |date=February 28, 2025 |title=Morgan Freeman, Nathan Lane, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more remember Gene Hackman: 'One of the all time greatest' |url=https://ew.com/morgan-freeman-gwyneth-paltrow-and-more-pay-tribute-to-gene-hackman-11687739 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227224847/https://ew.com/morgan-freeman-gwyneth-paltrow-and-more-pay-tribute-to-gene-hackman-11687739 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Andersson |first=Eric |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Nathan Lane, Viola Davis and More Stars React to Gene Hackman's Death: 'He Was One of Our Greatest' |url=https://people.com/nathan-lane-viola-davis-stars-react-gene-hackman-death-11687487 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood and Nathan Lane Lead Tributes to Gene Hackman After Oscar Winner Found Dead Alongside Wife: 'Inspiring and Magnificent in His Work and Complexity' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/gene-hackman-death-reactions-francis-ford-coppola-1236322137/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227133949/https://variety.com/2025/film/news/gene-hackman-death-reactions-francis-ford-coppola-1236322137/ |url-status=live}}
* {{cite news |last=Yu |first=Yi-Jin |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Stars share tributes to actor Gene Hackman after his death at 95 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/stars-share-tributes-actor-gene-hackman-after-death/story?id=119245597 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |agency=ABC News |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227163851/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/stars-share-tributes-actor-gene-hackman-after-death/story?id=119245597 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite news |date=February 27, 2025 |last1=Santaflorentina |first1=Hayley |title=Jennifer Love Hewitt Honors Heartbreakers Costar Gene Hackman After His Death |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1414052/jennifer-love-hewitt-honors-heartbreakers-costar-gene-hackman-after-his-death |access-date=March 2, 2025 |agency=E!}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' film critic [[Peter Bradshaw]] wrote that Hackman's death marked the end of [[New Hollywood|American new wave]] cinema. He described Hackman as "really a star; in fact the star of every scene he was in – that tough, wised-up, intelligent, but unhandsome face perpetually on the verge of coolly unconcerned derision, or creased in a heartbreakingly fatherly, pained smile."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |date=2025-02-27 |title=Gene Hackman: the star of every scene he was in |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/27/gene-hackman-the-star-of-every-scene-he-was-in |access-date=2025-03-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glynn |first=Paul |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Gene Hackman: Daughters and Clint Eastwood lead tributes to star |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g776e670vo |access-date=March 2, 2025 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |archive-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228232859/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g776e670vo |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Selected filmography==
{{main|List of Gene Hackman performances}}
{{columns-list|
*''[[Mad Dog Coll (1961 film)|Mad Dog Coll]]'' (1961)
*''[[Lilith (film)|Lilith]]'' (1964)
*''[[Hawaii (1966 film)|Hawaii]]'' (1966)
*''[[Bonnie and Clyde (film)|Bonnie and Clyde]]'' (1967)
*''[[Downhill Racer]]'' (1969)
*''[[Marooned (1969 film)|Marooned]]'' (1969)
*''[[I Never Sang for My Father]]'' (1970)
*''[[The French Connection (film)|The French Connection]]'' (1971)
*''[[The Hunting Party (1971 film)|The Hunting Party]]'' (1971)
*''[[Cisco Pike]]'' (1972)
*''[[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]'' (1972)
*''[[Prime Cut]]'' (1972)
*''[[Scarecrow (1973 film)|Scarecrow]]'' (1973)
*''[[The Conversation]]'' (1974)
*''[[Young Frankenstein]]'' (1974)
*''[[Night Moves (1975 film)|Night Moves]]'' (1975)
*''[[A Bridge Too Far (film)|A Bridge Too Far]]'' (1977)
*''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'' (1978)
*''[[Reds (film)|Reds]]'' (1981)
*''[[Eureka (1983 film)|Eureka]]'' (1983)
*''[[Uncommon Valor]]'' (1983)
*''[[Under Fire (1983 film)|Under Fire]]'' (1983)
*''[[Twice in a Lifetime (film)|Twice in a Lifetime]]'' (1985)
*''[[Hoosiers (film)|Hoosiers]]'' (1986)
*''[[Power (1986 film)|Power]]'' (1986)
*''[[No Way Out (1987 film)|No Way Out]]'' (1987)
*''[[Another Woman (1988 film)|Another Woman]]'' (1988)
*''[[Mississippi Burning]]'' (1988)
*''[[The Package (1989 film)|The Package]]'' (1989)
*''[[Postcards from the Edge (film)|Postcards from the Edge]]'' (1990)
*''[[Class Action (film)|Class Action]]'' (1991)
*''[[Unforgiven]]'' (1992)
*''[[The Firm (1993 film)|The Firm]]'' (1993)
*''[[Wyatt Earp (film)|Wyatt Earp]]'' (1994)
*''[[Crimson Tide (film)|Crimson Tide]]'' (1995)
*''[[Get Shorty (film)|Get Shorty]]'' (1995)
*''[[The Quick and the Dead (1995 film)|The Quick and the Dead]]'' (1995)
*''[[The Birdcage]]'' (1996)
*''[[Absolute Power (film)|Absolute Power]]'' (1997)
*''[[Antz]]'' (1998)
*''[[Enemy of the State (film)|Enemy of the State]]'' (1998)
*''[[The Replacements (film)|The Replacements]]'' (2000)
*''[[Behind Enemy Lines (2001 film)|Behind Enemy Lines]]'' (2001)
*''[[Heartbreakers (2001 film)|Heartbreakers]]'' (2001)
*''[[The Mexican]]'' (2001)
*''[[The Royal Tenenbaums]]'' (2001)
*''[[Runaway Jury]]'' (2003)
*''[[Welcome to Mooseport]]'' (2004)
|colwidth=22em}}

==Awards and nominations==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Gene Hackman}}

Hackman received two [[Academy Awards]], two [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|British Academy Film Awards]], four [[Golden Globe Awards]], and one [[Screen Actors Guild Award]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gene Hackman: Daughters and Clint Eastwood lead tributes to star |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g776e670vo |website=BBC News |access-date=February 28, 2025 |date=February 27, 2025 |archive-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227223318/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g776e670vo |url-status=live}}</ref> He was recognized by the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] for the following performances:
* [[40th Academy Awards]] (1967): [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]], nomination, ''[[Bonnie and Clyde (film)|Bonnie & Clyde]]''
* [[43rd Academy Awards|43th Academy Awards]] (1970): Best Supporting Actor, nomination, ''[[I Never Sang for My Father]]''
* [[44th Academy Awards]] (1971): [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]], win, ''[[The French Connection (film)|The French Connection]]''
* [[61st Academy Awards]] (1988): Best Actor, nomination, ''[[Mississippi Burning]]''
* [[65th Academy Awards]] (1992): [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]], win, ''[[Unforgiven]]''

Asteroid [[55397 Hackman]], discovered by [[Roy Tucker]] in 2001, was named in his honor.<ref name="MPC-object" /> The official {{Minor planet meaning link|55397|naming citation}} was published by the [[Minor Planet Center]] on May 18, 2019 ({{small|[[Minor Planet Circulars|M.P.C.]] 114954}}).<ref name="MPC-Circulars-Archive" />

== Publications ==
* Hackman, Gene, and Daniel Lenihan (1999). ''Wake of the Perdido Star''. New York: Newmarket Press. {{ISBN|978-1-557-04398-6}}. {{OCLC|42027535}}.
* Hackman, Gene, and Daniel Lenihan (2004). ''Justice for None''. New York: St. Martin's Press. {{ISBN|978-0-312-32425-4}}. {{OCLC|54035033}}.
* Hackman, Gene, and Daniel Lenihan (2008). ''Escape from Andersonville: A Novel of the Civil War''. New York: St. Martin's Press. {{ISBN|978-0-312-36373-4}}. {{OCLC|191865890}}.
* Hackman, Gene (2011). ''Payback at Morning Peak: A Novel of the American West''. New York: Simon & Schuster. {{ISBN|978-1-451-62356-7}}. {{OCLC|798634411}}.
* Hackman, Gene (2013). ''Pursuit''. New York: Pocket Books. {{ISBN|978-1-451-62357-4}}. {{OCLC|857568111}}.

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="MPC-object">{{cite web
  |title      = 55397 Hackman (2001 SY288)
  |work       = Minor Planet Center
  |url        = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=55397
  |access-date = June 3, 2019}}</ref>

<ref name="MPC-Circulars-Archive">{{cite web
  |title      = MPC/MPO/MPS Archive
  |work      = Minor Planet Center
  |url      = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/ECS/MPCArchive/MPCArchive_TBL.html
  |access-date      = June 3, 2019
|archive-date      = April 26, 2020
|archive-url      = https://web.archive.org/web/20200426060449/https://minorplanetcenter.net//iau/ECS/MPCArchive/MPCArchive_TBL.html
  |url-status      = live
 }}</ref>
</references> <!-- end of notelist -->

==External links==
{{Commons category|Gene Hackman}}
*{{AFI person | 57619-Gene-Hackman}}
*{{IMDb name|432}}
*{{TCMDb name}}
*{{IBDB name|43623}}
*{{IOBDB name|25081}}
*{{Discogs artist|Gene Hackman}}

{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Gene Hackman|Awards for Gene Hackman]]
|list  = 
{{Academy Award for Best Actor}}
{{Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role}}
{{BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{Cecil B. DeMille Award}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actor Motion Picture Drama}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor Motion Picture}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{National Board of Review Award for Best Actor}}
{{National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor}}
{{National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}
{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{Silver Bear for Best Actor}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hackman, Gene}}
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