Gene Hackman was in that movie? Actor's lesser known but still great roles
Here's the thing about Gene Hackman, Hollywood legend and character extraordinaire: Yeah, he was detective Popeye Doyle and supervillain Lex Luthor and Coach Norman Dale, but even his deep cut roles were memorable.
Hackman, who died Wednesday at the age of 95, was an all-timer whose filmography reflected the depth and breadth of the performer he was. He won Oscars, starred in blockbusters and was an influence for generations of actors. However, did you know he once played an ant? Or had one of his funniest roles courtesy of a Mel Brooks classic comedy?
Once you revisit the major Hackman works – "The French Connection," "Superman," "Crimson Tide," "Unforgiven" – check out some of these smaller but still great appearances.
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'The Poseidon Adventure' (1972)
You'll find many of 1970s Hollywood's famous faces in this film that's one of the best disaster movies ever. Alongside Ernest Borgnine, Roddy McDowall, Shelley Winters and a giant sinking ocean liner, Hackman played a preacher trying to get everyone to safety before suffering a watery doom.
'Young Frankenstein' (1974)
Rocking an impressively bushy beard in Brooks' horror spoof, Hackman is a delight as a blind man who meets the Monster (Peter Boyle), botches a toast and burns the big guy's thumb trying to light a cigar. "Wait! Where are you going? I was going to make espresso," Hackman says as the Monster comically storms off.
'The Birdcage' (1996)
While this is Nathan Lane and Robin Williams' tour de force playing an over-the-top gay couple, Hackman has a fun bit as a conservative senator whose daughter (Calista Flockhart) is marrying the flamboyant leads' son (Dan Futterman).
'Antz' (1998)
Hackman was well known for his villain roles. This was probably one of the more left-field ones: He voiced the character of General Mandible, a snarky military ant trying to pull a coup on the colony's queen. Hackman had a lot of talent around him, too, including Woody Allen, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone and Christopher Walken.
'The Replacements' (2000)
"Hoosiers" featured Hackman's signature coaching role. Don't sleep on this one, though, especially for the gridiron lovers. He's the passionate guy brought in to field a bunch of misfits – including Keanu Reeves' star quarterback – and find unlikely football success.