Gene Hackman, a towering figure in Hollywood, has passed away at the age of 95. Known for his unparalleled skill and dedication to the craft of acting, Hackman was a two-time Oscar winner who left an indelible mark on the industry. After retiring from acting in 2004, he retreated from the spotlight to enjoy a quiet life in New Mexico with his wife. Despite his success, Hackman was known for being cautious of Hollywood’s allure and maintained a reputation for being a consummate actor, both technically and artistically.
Hackman's career was characterized by his meticulous approach to acting. He arrived on set each day knowing his lines, a commitment that sometimes led to clashes with fellow actors who were less prepared. One notable instance involved John Travolta, with whom Hackman had disagreements over line memorization. Barry Sonnenfeld, who worked with Hackman, described him as a hard actor to work with due to his high standards and dedication.
"Because he didn't want any screenwriter to tell him how he was supposed to feel at that moment." – Sonnenfeld
Sonnenfeld recounted how Hackman would create unique scripts by cutting and pasting so that he could make his own choices rather than relying on the writer’s direction.
"So he had unique cut and pasted scripts that had no information from the writer about anything because he wanted to make those choices, not the writer." – Sonnenfeld
Despite Hackman's remarkable talent, he expressed frustration with the more mundane aspects of filmmaking, such as enduring long hours in hair and makeup or dealing with repeated takes and studio notes.
"He had this conflict in that he was this brilliant actor but he hated the tropes of what it took to act in movies." – Sonnenfeld
"He hated putting on makeup. The putting on of wardrobe. The wardrobe person after takes, taking their lip brush and rubbing down their wardrobe. The makeup person recombing his hair while he's talking to me." – Sonnenfeld
His dedication was evident in how seriously he took acting, delving deeply into scripts to understand and portray his characters authentically. This meticulousness sometimes led to conflicts with directors, including Wes Anderson. Hackman's approach was encapsulated in his own words when he said to John Moore:
"Acting is my job, you do the rest." – Gene Hackman
Moore described how Hackman's approach put immense pressure on those around him.
"It put the fear of God into me." – John Moore
"It was essentially him saying: 'I don't need anything, as I'm that good. You better bring your A-game, as I'm bringing mine.'" – John Moore
On a personal level, Hackman was known for his disciplined lifestyle. Moore recalled attempting to socialize after filming,
"I'd try and have a drink with him after we'd shoot, and go up to the minibar." – John Moore
Hackman's wife, Betsy, played a significant role in maintaining his disciplined routine.
"He'd have one, that was it. [Betsy] would give him that look, and off it would be to bed. And he was in great shape in the morning as a result." – John Moore
Following Hackman's death, his image has been prominently displayed on television bulletins and in newspapers across Los Angeles. Officials have reported evidence indicating that Hackman had likely been deceased since February 17, approximately ten days before his and his wife's bodies were discovered.
Sonnenfeld shared how Hackman's high standards often led to tense moments on set, particularly when other actors were unprepared.
"For the next 12 weeks, he would yell at me whenever John didn't know his lines." – Sonnenfeld
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