Gene Hackman's most memorable movie roles: 'The French Connection,' 'Superman' and more
Gene Hackman leaves behind a legacy of iconic work.
The beloved, Oscar-winning actor was found dead Wednesday in his home alongside his wife and dog, officials confirmed on Thursday. He was 95. Admirers and former collaborators have been remembering Hackman as a legend of cinema, and it's not hard to see why when taking a look through his filmography.
The versatile actor impressed critics with a wide range of roles, expertly embodying a New York City detective in one film and Superman's most iconic adversary in the next. He won two Oscars, appeared in several of the most acclaimed movies of all time, and worked with all-time great directors like Francis Ford Coppola and William Friedkin.
Here's a look back through the most memorable Hackman roles.
'Bonnie and Clyde' (1967)
Hackman earned his first Oscar nomination, for best supporting actor, fairly early in his career for the classic 1967 crime film "Bonnie and Clyde."
He starred as Buck Barrow, the older brother of Warren Beatty's Clyde Barrow. The Oscar ultimately went to George Kennedy for "Cool Hand Luke."
'I Never Sang for My Father' (1970)
But Hackman was back at the Oscars just three years later, receiving another best supporting actor nomination in 1971 for "I Never Sang for My Father." He played college professor Gene Garrison in the film, which was based on the play and also starred Melvyn Douglas.
'The French Connection' (1971)
Hackman took on the lead role as New York City Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in William Friedkin's 1971 police film "The French Connection." Hackman landed his first Oscar as best actor for the film, which also won best picture and earned Friedkin best director.
Hackman thanked Friedkin in his Oscar acceptance speech, saying the filmmaker "really brought me through this when I wanted to quit."
Hackman reprised the role in the 1975 sequel, "French Connection II."
'The Conversation' (1974)
Hackman teamed up with Francis Ford Coppola for the 1974 thriller "The Conversation," which starred the actor as a man who is hired to covertly record a couple, only to become concerned and obsessed after hearing the phrase, "He'd kill us if he got the chance." The movie's famous final scene sees Hackman's character playing the saxophone after his paranoia has led him to destroy his entire apartment to see if it was bugged.
'Superman' (1978)
When Nicholas Hoult takes on the role of Lex Luthor in this summer's "Superman," many will surely compare him to Hackman, who played Superman's archenemy in the 1978 original opposite Christopher Reeve. He returned for the sequels "Superman II" and "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace."
'Unforgiven' (1992)
The final Oscar nomination of Hackman's career was for Clint Eastwood's 1992 Western "Unforgiven," which saw him play the villainous Sheriff "Little" Bill Daggett. Hackman won the best supporting actor Oscar for the role in 1993.
'Crimson Tide' (1995)
Hackman was paired with Denzel Washington for this 1995 submarine film from Tony Scott, which saw him play Capt. Frank Ramsey. In his review at the time, Roger Ebert wrote that Hackman "is a master at seeming genial and friendly while masking deeper, darker thoughts."
'Enemy of the State' (1998)
Hot off of "Men in Black," Will Smith in 1998 starred in the political thriller "Enemy of the State," which featured Hackman as surveillance expert Brill. The film was another collaboration between Hackman and director Tony Scott.
'The Quick and the Dead' (1995)
In another Western role for Hackman, he collaborated with director Sam Raimi and star Sharon Stone, taking on the role of a corrupt mayor in "The Quick and the Dead" from 1995.
'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001)
In one of his final roles before retirement, Hackman played patriarch Royal Tenenbaum in Wes Anderson's 2001 film "The Royal Tenenbaums," which starred an ensemble cast that also included Bill Murray and Gwyneth Paltrow. The role won Hackman a Golden Globe for best actor in a musical or comedy film.
He delivered his final film performance in the widely panned Ray Romano comedy "Welcome to Mooseport" three years later.
Contributing: Bryan Alexander