- Born Eugene Allen Hackman on January 30, 1930 in San Bernardino, California
- Died February 26, 2025 (aged 95) in Santa Fe, New Mexico
The death of Gene Hackman was a bit of a surprise. Even at the age of 95 and long since retired he looked to be doing fine and going strong. He was an actor that no matter how good or bad the movie he was in was he was by far the best thing in it. He could be threatening and charming or kind and gentle in a very relatable and natural way.
The first thing I ever saw Gene Hackman in was Superman the Movie. My family gathered around the television when it came on ABC and that’s when I saw first saw him give us his iconic portrayal of Lex Luthor. From that point forward I was a fan.
With parts in such films as the original The Poseidon Adventure, A Bridge Too Far, Loose Cannons, The Firm, The Quick and the Dead, The Birdcage, Enemy of the State, The French Connection, Behind Enemy Lines, Runaway Jury, and so many others he established himself as one of the greatest actors to grace the silver screen. He became the character. He sold the material. He made you believe no matter how serious or absurd what you were seeing was real and suspended your disbelief.
His weirdest performance had to of been in Young Frankenstein. He showed just how good he was by turning a cameo into a moment of comedy gold. Perhaps because he didn’t try to be a star. He tried to be an artist. He did his best work possible and because of that attitude was successful.
Eugene Allen ‘Gene’ Hackman will be missed.
Warren Watched A Movie 