Clint Eastwood, Francis Ford Coppola and others honor Gene Hackman: ‘No finer actor’
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From Francis Ford Coppola to Antonio Banderas,directors and actors across Hollywood on Thursday mourned the death of actor Gene Hackman. The 95-year-old, best known for his Oscar-winning roles in 1971’s “The French Connection” and Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven,” was found dead, alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog Wednesday in their New Mexico home.
Following the news of his death, former colleagues and fans of his work have taken to social media to honor the “Bonnie and Clyde” actor.
Coppola, who directed Hackman in the mystery thriller “The Conversation,” shared a picture of the pair on set. Hackman played Harry Caul, a surveillance expert at a moral crossroads, in the 1974 film.
“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,” wrote Coppola. “I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
The bodies of Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog were discovered in Santa Fe, N.M., on Wednesday afternoon during a welfare check, officials said.
Eastwood, 94, worked with Hackman on “Unforgiven” — the Oscar-winning film in which he directed and starred. Hackman played ruthless sheriff Little Bill Daggett and Eastwood portrayed William Munny, a retired hitman who takes on one final job.
“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,” Eastwood said in a statement to The Times.
Morgan Freeman also appeared in the 1992 Western as retired outlaw Ned Logan. The 87-year-old actor shared an image of him with Hackman and Monica Bellucci. The trio starred in the French-American thriller “Under Suspicion.”
“One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film Gardé a Vue (Under Suspicion) to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman,” wrote Freeman. “And of course... Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Actor Gene Hackman got his break in ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ and rose to stardom in ‘The French Connection.’ He was 95.
Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks posted a photo on Instagram of Hackman from “French Connection” with the caption “There has never been a “Gene Hackman Type.” There has only been Gene Hackman.”
EGOT winner Viola Davis shared on Instagram, “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.”
Banderas added, “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,” along with a picture of the deceased couple.
Paul Feig, creator of “Freaks and Geeks” and “Bridesmaids” director, called the news, “So awful.”
“Gene was such an inspiration to so many of us who love movies. So many brilliant roles. His performance in ‘The Conversation’ alone changed the way I looked at acting and what actors could bring to a role. Such an amazing career. RIP Mr. Hackman,” Feig wrote on X.
The bodies of Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog were discovered in Santa Fe, N.M., on Wednesday afternoon during a welfare check, officials said.
“Star Trek” actor George Takei called Hackman “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,” he wrote.
Josh Brolin said on Instagram, “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”
“Shaun of the Dead” director Edgar Wright simply said Hackman was “the greatest.”
Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths are still being investigated by the Santa Fe County sheriff, but the office said it does “not believe that foul play was a factor.” A sheriff’s deputy said the circumstances of their deaths were suspicious enough to warrant a deeper look.
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