Gene Hackman – One of a Kind
It’s no secret that Gene Hackman was a legendary American actor. He’s played everything from Lex Luthor to basketeball coach Norman Dale, and with nary a misstep the entire way. He will be sorely missed, and in honor of his incredible career, here are my four favorite movies from this true cinema legend. Rest in peace, Gene Hackman.
1. The French Connection (1971): Say what you want about Gene’s incredibly long and storied career, but this gritty crime thriller is arguably his most iconic role. Hackman won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the unconventional and often ruthless NYPD Detective “Popeye” Doyle.
Gene Hackman as Popeye Doyle in THE FRENCH CONNECTION
Even the movie itself is a universally lauded classic, known for its realism and thrilling action sequences, especially the legendary car chase scene, ahead of its time.
Of course, Gene’s performance is central to the film’s success, as his flawed but compelling character leads the way as the story’s main protagonist.
2. Mississippi Burning (1988): In this powerful and disturbing film based on the real-life investigation of the murders of three civil rights activists, Gene Hackman expertly and adeptly plays FBI Agent Rupert Anderson, widely considered one of the highlights of his distinguished career.
Gene Hackman as Rupert Anderson in MISSISSIPPI BURNING
Gene’s greatness in Mississippi Burning lies in his ability to portray a complex character who is both a product of his environment and a force for change within it. He brings a quiet intensity, a nuanced understanding of human nature, and a subtle charm to the role, making Anderson a compelling and unforgettable figure… a seasoned investigator who understands the complexities of a racially-charged South.
One of Hackman’s biggest claims to greatness in this film is simply that, despite not being Southern himself, he convincingly embodies this former Mississippi sheriff, deftly avoiding any temptation to slip into caricature.
Unsurprisingly, he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor here — just an incredible performance, showcasing both toughness and empathy in the same complex character.
2. Hoosiers (1986): In this beloved sports drama, Hackman portrays Norman Dale, a coach with a checkered past who leads a small-town Indiana high school basketball team to an unlikely state championship. It’s a performance widely considered as one of the greatest in sports movie history.
Hackman plays the coach as tough and demanding, yet also vulnerable and deeply committed to his team, delivering a complexity that helps make Dale a very relatable character, perfect in his imperfections.
One of the most important parts to his performance is that Gene avoids all the “inspiring coach” clichés; instead, he conveys Dale’s emotions through subtle gestures and expressions, making the character feel authentic and grounded.
A bit of a trivia… Hackman really immersed himself in the role, even attending high school basketball practices to observe coaches and players in action. Clearly, all that extra effort paid off.
He elevated Hoosiers beyond a simple sports movie, making it a timeless story about leadership, second chances, and the power of believing in each other.
4. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001): For my final Hackman favorite, Gene takes a sharp departure from his frequent dramatic roles, surprising audiences with his portrayal of the charmingly roguish, eccentric, and manipulative patriarch, Royal Tenenbaum. The unique role gave him a chance to showcase his versatility and range as an actor.
In this quirky comedy-drama from Wes Anderson, Gene finds a way to take a flawed and often unlikeable character and somehow infuse him with a certain charisma and vulnerability, making him strangely sympathetic at times — not an easy feat.
He also perfectly embodies the quirky and deadpan humor characteristic of Wes Anderson’s films, delivering lines with impeccable comedic timing.
Even in a film filled with eccentric characters, Hackman stands out with his commanding presence, dominating nearly every scene he’s in and making Royal the unforgettable center of the story.
The outstanding performance earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, an amazing accomplishment.
I love these four films and really feel that they represent a solid range of genres for showcasing Gene Hackman’s incredible talent and versatility.
Good luck arguing that he didn’t deliver memorable, award-worthy performances in each one.
Whether these make your Gene Hackman Top Four or not, my guess is that there’s one thing we can all agree on — all four of these movies helped Gene Hackman solidify his place as one of the greatest actors in his generation. He’ll be sorely missed.
