Connect with us

Features

Movie Legends: Gene Hackman

Published

on


Gene Hackman was born to be an actor. But it took him 30 years to realize it.

Born on January 30,1930 in San Bernadino, CA, he was raised in Danville, Illinois. But he was restless. He dropped out of high school at 16, lied about his age and joined the marines. He was trained as a radio operator then shipped off to China. Those early lessons came in handy when his unit’s announcer was injured and Hackman took over to become a radio dj.

Hackman attended the University of Illinois under the GI Bill. studying journalism and TV production before moving to New York to attend the School of Radio Technique.

He spent the next several years moving from town to town working at various small radio and TV stations as an announcer.
It wasn’t until he was 30 that Hackman decided to pack his bags once more to attend the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse to take up acting . There he met a fellow student named Dustin Hoffman. Hoffman and Hackman immediately stood out from the other students, but not in the way you might expect: they were voted by their peers as “least likely to succeed.”

Advertisement

It didn’t take Gene long to prove them wrong. He took the New York stage by storm, winning a prize as the most promising newcomer in Irwin Shaw’s “Children At Their Games” (quite an achievement, considering the play lasted only one night), and garnered glowing reviews with Sandy Dennis in the comedy “Any Wednesday.”

Hackman’s big break was being cast in the little-known Warren Beatty film “Mad Dog Calls” in 1961. Beatty remembered Hackman’s craft and diligence for years after: in 1967, Beatty, then producing as well as acting, cast him as Buck Barrow, Clyde’s dimwitted sibling in the landmark film “Bonnie and Clyde.” The role led to the first of Gene Hackman’s five Oscar nominations.

Hackman became the consummate character actor, from his Oscar nominated role as the burdened son in the poignant I Never Sang For My Father to the dastardly supervillain Lex Luthor in three Superman movies to the quirky Popeye Doyle in The French Connection, and the pop psychology promoting priest in The Poseidon Adventure.

Pundits in Hollywood have long felt he’d make a powerful director: in fact, Gene was slated to make his directorial debut lensing The Silence Of The Lambs. For reasons he’s never revealed, he dropped out, making way for Jonathan Demme.

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

The Good Doctor The Good Doctor
News2 mins ago

The Good Doctor, March 19, 2024, ABC, “Critical Support”

ABC’s The Good Doctor returns with a new episode titled “Critical Support” on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 10:00 PM....

The Cleaning Lady The Cleaning Lady
News3 mins ago

The Cleaning Lady, March 19, 2024, FOX, “El Camino del Diablo”

Get ready for an all-new episode of The Cleaning Lady titled “El Camino del Diablo,” airing on FOX on Tuesday,...

Alert: Missing Persons Unit Alert: Missing Persons Unit
News4 mins ago

Alert: Missing Persons Unit, March 19, 2024, FOX, “Gemma & Isabel”

In an all-new episode of Alert: Missing Persons Unit titled “Gemma & Isabel,” airing on FOX on Tuesday, March 19,...

Crime Nation Crime Nation
News5 mins ago

Gilgo Beach Murders, Crime Nation, March 19, 2024, The CW,

Tune in to The CW on Tuesday, March 19th at 8:00 PM for an intriguing new episode of Crime Nation...

Body Cam Body Cam
News6 mins ago

Body Cam, March 19, 2024, Investigation Discovery, “Digging for Trouble”

On Tuesday, March 19th at 9:00 PM, Investigation Discovery brings you an intense new episode of Body Cam titled “Digging...

Bail Jumpers Bail Jumpers
News7 mins ago

Bail Jumpers, March 19, 2024, Investigation Discovery, “Hurricanes, Hustle and a Robbery”

Tune in to Investigation Discovery on Tuesday, March 19th at 10:30 PM for another gripping episode of Bail Jumpers (the...

Vanderpump Rules Vanderpump Rules
News9 mins ago

Vanderpump Rules, March 19, 2024, Bravo, “Peaks and Valleys”

The highly-anticipated brand new episode of Vanderpump Rules, titled “Peaks and Valleys,” will be airing on Bravo on Tuesday, March...

The Valley on Hayu The Valley on Hayu
News10 mins ago

Series Premiere, The Valley, March 19, 2024, Bravo,

Get ready for the series premiere of The Valley called “Welcome to the Valley” on Bravo, airing on Tuesday, March...

Great British Menu Great British Menu
News13 hours ago

The Finals: Starters, Great British Menu, 18 March 2024, BBC Two

Get ready for the brand new episode of Great British Menu, as national finals week kicks off with the starters...

Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain
News13 hours ago

Series Premiere, Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the premiere episode of the brand new series “Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain,” Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton...

Panorama Panorama
News14 hours ago

Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis, Panorama, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the latest episode of Panorama, titled “Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis,” viewers will be taken behind the...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News14 hours ago

Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In a thought-provoking and enlightening new documentary titled “Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure,” airing on Channel 4 on Monday 18...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News14 hours ago

24 Hours in A&E, 18 March 2024, Channel 4, “Season 32 Episode 3”

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “24 HOURS IN A&E,” viewers are taken inside Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham,...

George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations
News14 hours ago

Chiltern Hills Barber Shop, George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations,” architect George Clarke continues to showcase the inspiring stories of...

Traffic Cops Traffic Cops
News14 hours ago

Traffic Cops, 18 March 2024, Channel 5, “Season 13, Episode 14”

In the latest episode of Channel 5’s “Traffic Cops,” viewers will once again be taken on a gripping journey alongside...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News14 hours ago

Coma Series Premiere, 18 March 2024, Channel 5

In the series premiere of the four part Channel 5 drama “Coma,” viewers are introduced to Simon, a devoted family...

Popular