Gene Hackman movies: 24 greatest films — including ‘The French Connection,’ ‘Unforgiven,’ ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’
Hollywood has lost one of its great screen legends.
Gene Hackman was found dead in his Santa Fe, N.M. home on Feb. 26, 2025, at the age of 95. Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa, also died in the couple's house, as did their dog. Authorities have not yet released a cause of death but said foul play was not suspected.
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Before his death, Hackman spent the last 21 years retired from acting. However, even after two decades away from the screen, he was remembered as one the most versatile and accomplished character actors on film -- appreciated by critics and audiences for his clean, no-nonsense acting style. In his film work, Hackman was famed for the every-man quality of his work, with which audiences of all types could identify, which he demonstrated in the more than 80 films in which he appeared.
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Hackman's subtle work was showered with honors throughout his film career, which lasted more than half a century. He won two Academy Awards (for 1971's "The French Connection" with William Friedkin and 1992's "Unforgiven" with Clint Eastwood) from five nominations. He was a Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient at the Golden Globes and also won three competitive Globes from eight total nominations. He is a Screen Actors Guild Award winner from his two nominations.
SEEGolden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award: History of every recipient
After appearing in 2004's "Welcome to Mooseport," Hackman retired from screen acting and transitioned to a quiet life as a published author. Still, even without any film roles in the last two decades, Hackman left behind an enormously impressive body of work to enjoy, so let's honor the great man by counting down and ranking his 24 best performances. Our photo gallery includes his Oscar-winning roles, plus "Bonnie and Clyde," "The Royal Tenenbaums," "The Conversation," "Mississippi Burning" and more.
Launch Gallery: Gene Hackman movies: 24 greatest films ranked from worst to best
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