Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman, who has died at the age of 95, was one of the greatest actors of his generation, his illustrious career spanning over five decades
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, known for his authentic performances in films like Bonnie and Clyde and The French Connection, has sadly passed away at the age of 95. His career was marked by a raw intensity that made every character he played unforgettable, whether it was a tormented surveillance expert in The Conversation or the ruthless sheriff in Unforgiven.
Following a dispute with his basketball coach, Hackman dropped out of high school and, at 16, lied about his age to join the US Marine Corps. As a field radio operator, he was stationed in China until the Communist Revolution in 1949, reports the Mirror. He honed his craft at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he struck up a friendship with Dustin Hoffman, another actor struggling to make his mark. The pair were once dubbed "least likely to succeed" by their peers.
In contrast to his on-screen presence, Hackman was known for being intensely private. He once said: "I was trained to be an actor, not a star. I was trained to play roles, not to deal with fame and agents and lawyers and the press."Following their 1986 divorce, he found love again with Arakawa, whom he considered the love of his life. The couple married in 1991 and remained together for over three decades.
Hackman revealed, "My wife and I take what we call our Friday comedy day off," where they indulge in standup comedy, particularly enjoying Eddie Izzard's edgier material. Although retired from acting, Hackman's allure persists.
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