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Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola hails Gene Hackman as 'inspiring in his work'

Updated / Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 15:02
Gene Hackman and Francis Ford Coppola on the set of Coppola's movie The Conversation, 1974
Gene Hackman and Francis Ford Coppola on the set of Coppola's movie The Conversation, 1974

American filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has hailed Gene Hackman as a "great actor" who was "inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity" following his death.

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Oscar-winning American actor Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found dead in their Santa Fe home in New Mexico along with their dog on Wednesday afternoon, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

The police said it is currently an active investigation, but they do not believe that foul play was a factor at this time.

Coppola wrote and directed the Oscar-nominated 1974 mystery thriller The Conversation. It starred Hackman as a surveillance expert, Harry Caul, who has a crisis of conscience when he suspects that the couple he is spying on will be murdered.

Gene Hackman in The Conversation, 1974

Alongside a photo of them working on the film, Coppola wrote in an Instagram post: "The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.

"I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution."

Valerie Perrine, who starred alongside Gene Hackman in Superman (1978), described the late actor as one of the "greatest to grace the silver screen".

Perrine starred as Eve Teschmacher, the girlfriend of Hackman's character Lex Luthor, who was Superman's nemesis.

In a post to X, formerly Twitter, she wrote alongside images of the pair together: "The great Gene Hackman has passed away.

"He was a genius & 1 of the greatest to grace the silver screen.

"I had the honor of working with Him on Superman.

"His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex Till we meet again. Valerie."

Oscar nominee Antonio Banderas said Hackman's death was a "very sad day for cinema's family".

He wrote on Instagram: "A very sad day for… cinema's family. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away.

"My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers. RIP."

George Takei said Hackman was "one of the true giants of the screen".

Posting to X, the actor and author wrote: "We have lost one of the true giants of the screen.

"Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it.

"He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe.

"That's how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever."

The Hollywood star received two Oscars, two BAFTAs, four Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award in an acting career that spanned six decades.

BAFTA has said it is "saddened" by Hackman's death.

In a post to X, it said: "We are saddened to hear that the much-celebrated actor Gene Hackman has died aged 95.

"Hackman's illustrious career spanned over six decades and earned him BAFTA wins for his work in Unforgiven, The French Connection and The Poseidon Adventure."

Source: Press Association

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