Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Francis Ford Coppola, ‘Superman’ Costar Valerie Perrine And More Pay Tribute To Gene Hackman
The news that actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe has shocked the industry and led to widespread tributes for one of the true greats of cinema.
Clint Eastwood, who directed and starred with Hackman in 1992’s Unforgiven, said in a statement to Deadline: “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.”
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Writer-director Mel Brooks reminisced about working with Hackman on his Academy Award-nominated 1974 comedy classic Young Frankenstein.
“I was privileged to know Gene Hackman because he played tennis with another Gene—Gene Wilder. And that Gene told him about a little role called The Blind Hermit in our movie YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN,” wrote Brooks on X. “He said, ‘Do you think Mel would let me play it? I’ve always wanted to do a comedy.’ Needless to say, I was over the moon and he was perfect.”
Saul Rubinek, who costarred with Hackman in Unforgiven, said in a statement, “I was lucky enough to spend a few days acting with Gene in Unforgiven. I remember this: the huge ‘Duck of Death’ jail scene with him and me and Richard Harris was an interior weather cover scene, I mean, scheduled at the last minute because of rain. And Gene’s Sheriff Little Bill had the lion’s share of the lines. And Clint liked to shoot the rehearsals. Man, when you were acting with Gene in a situation like that..and on the other side of me is the dangerous presence of the outrageous Richard Harris..? I had to BE THERE. I had to SHOW UP. Cause Gene set the bar SO high, without me noticing he was doing that at all. He made it … easy. The scene you see in the movie was that filmed rehearsal- first time we did it. I’ll never forget the gift of breathing that shared air. We lost a great artist but we can visit him forever.”
Dustin Hoffman, who starred with Hackman in the 2003 feature adaptation of John Grisham’s Runaway Jury, paid tribute to his longtime friend in a heartfelt statement after the 2x Oscar winner died at age 95.
“I met Gene in acting school, at the Pasadena Playhouse, when he was 27 and I was 19. We used to play congas together on the roof, trying to be like our hero Marlon Brando,” he said.
“And Gene was like Brando, in that he brought something unprecedented to our craft, something people didn’t immediately understand as genius,” added Hoffman. “He was expelled from our school after three months for ‘not having talent.’ It was the first time they ever did that. He was that good. Powerful, subtle, brilliant. A giant among actors. I miss him already.”
Valerie Perrine, who appeared with Hackman in 1978’s Superman starring Christopher Reeve, wrote on Facebook, “The great Gene Hackman has passed away. He was a genius & 1 of the greatest to grace the silver screen. I had the honor of working with Him on Superman. His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex. Till we meet again.”
The 95-year-old Hackman won Oscars for The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992), and was also Oscar-nominated for roles in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).
Tom Hanks paid tribute to Hackman’s unique style:
Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in 1974 classic The Conversation, posted on Instagram: “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Oscar nominee and Dune: Part 2 star Josh Brolin posted a photo of Hackman and Arakawa and captioned it: “I am crushed by the sudden deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (and their dog). Crushed. He was always one of my favorites. Not many who beat to their own drums like he did. Rest in Peace.”
In a post on Instagram, Oscar winner Viola Davis wrote about how much she “loved” Hackman in his films: “Loved you in everything! The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven—tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir. ??????”
Oscar nominee and Paddington In Peru star Antonio Banderas sent his condolences to “friends, family and cinema lovers” on Instagram and X: “A very sad day for the cinema’s family. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away. My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers. RIP.”
Actor George Takei called Hackman “one of the true giants”: “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 forever.”
Baby Driver director Edgar Wright simply described Hackman as “the greatest…” in a post to X.
European film and TV studio Studiocanal wrote on social media: “What a colossal loss for cinema today. Hugely saddened by the passing of one of the true greats – Gene Hackman. We send our deepest condolences.”
Presenter Piers Morgan said on social media: “Gene Hackman was one of the all-time great actors and brilliant in everything he ever did from French Connection and Unforgiven to Mississippi Burning, The Conversation and Superman. We’ve lost a giant of the big screen.”
In a post on X, BAFTA said it was “saddened” to hear of the death of the three-time BAFTA winner and noted his “illustrious” career.
Irish comedian and TV presenter Dara ó Briain posted to X: “Ah, Gene Hackman. The finest screen actor ever, I think. Not a single duff performance, in a long, long career. And the best delivery ever of a single word: when he says “Cigars!” In Young Frankenstein.”
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