Gene Hackman: A Legend Who Made Every Role Count

Man, this one hurts. Gene Hackman—one of the greatest actors to ever do it—is gone. The 95-year-old legend was found dead in his Santa Fe home today, alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog. No foul play suspected, but details are still coming in. J

ust a gut punch.

Hackman was one of those actors who could do anything. He could be terrifying, hilarious, warm, or downright menacing—all in the same movie. He never chewed scenery, never overacted. He just was. Even when he played a villain (Lex Luthor, anyone?), he gave his characters depth and charm. He made them real.

We all know his big roles—Popeye Doyle in The French Connection, Little Bill in Unforgiven. But Hackman had range, and some of his best work didn’t get the love it deserved. Let’s talk about four of his most underrated performances.

This movie is all about Hollywood’s pressures, addiction, and finding your way back. Hackman plays a veteran director mentoring Meryl Streep’s troubled actress. He’s tough but kind, a guy who actually cares—which is rare in a town full of sharks. He’s only in a few scenes, but damn if he doesn’t make them count. You believe he’s been in the industry for decades.

Political thrillers can be hit or miss, but this one? Solid. Hackman plays a shady senator who gets himself into a huge mess. His performance is a masterclass in power and paranoia. He doesn’t go over-the-top villain—he keeps it subtle, which somehow makes him scarier. You can see the wheels turning as he tries to manipulate his way out of trouble.

I love this one. Hackman plays a former NSA spook who’s gone full tinfoil-hat mode. He’s paranoid, grumpy, and incredibly smart. He teams up with Will Smith to take down a corrupt government agency, and the two of them have killer chemistry. You just buy Hackman as a guy who’s seen too much and trusts no one. And let’s be real—without him, this movie doesn’t work.

This is another one where Hackman could’ve just phoned it in, but nope—he delivers. He plays Tom Cruise’s slick, charming mentor at a law firm with very shady business. He’s the classic “guy who knows too much but is too deep to get out.” What makes it work is how likable he is. You want to trust him… even when you know you shouldn’t.

Gene Hackman was one of one. No flash, no ego, just rock-solid acting every single time. He could make even the smallest roles unforgettable.

So tonight, I’m raising a glass to the man. Thanks for the movies, Gene. You’ll be missed