Gene Hackman?

GENE HACKMAN?

GENE HACKMAN (1930-2025), born Eugene Allen Hackman. 

It feels like I have seen Gene Hackman in something for most of my life. He did a lot of television acting before he went to the big screen.  I knew his name once he appeared in Bonnie and Clyde (1967) as Buck Barrow, Clyde's brother.  I will always remember him leaping over the top of the teller cages to take money from the tills, as Bonnie and Clyde held everyone at gunpoint in the bank.

Haven't you seen Bonnie and Clyde (1967)? This was the first film I ever saw with Gene Hackman and possibly my first R-rated film meant for adults.  The film was quite memorable because of its violence and gore for its time. Ratings, however, did not begin until the following year, when Rated M for Mature Audiences was introduced. Because the films needed to be differentiated from pornography, the R-rating came the following year.

Watch this and then see these other four films.


The French Connection (1971) This film, also an R-rated movie, I saw at age 11.  The French Connection was the greatest action movie of the time.  It became famous for having the greatest car chase in movie history.  People watched this movie just to see Gene Hackman try to catch an elevated train with his Pontiac. It should not be missed.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) This was my favorite movie in 1972.  I loved Gene Hackman as Reverend Scott.  Here was a brave man who truly cared about people.  I cried my eyes out watching this movie when so many people died.

Young Frankenstein (1974) I love this movie!  This is the only movie to ever make me laugh so hard that I was still laughing when I left the theater. Gene Hackman was on set at the time of its filming and asked if he could be in the film.  Being a likeable guy, they created a part for him.  His scene became one of the funniest bits in the film.  This is my favorite Mel Brooks film.

Hoosiers (1986) This is fine example of Gene Hackman's talent in this character-driven drama of a new high school basketball coach trying to get a team to the state championship finals.


*Contributed by: "Elizabeth Van Cleve Randolph" Date: Tuesday, Sep 16 2025 / 08:36:00

Academy Awards®
© A.M.P.A.S.®

1993 Won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Unforgiven
1989 Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Mississippi Burning
1972 Won Best Actor in a Leading Role for The French Connection
1971 Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for I Never Sang for My Father
1968 Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Bonnie and Clyde