On February 28, 2025, the world lost Gene Hackman, one of the greatest actors of my lifetime. He passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy that spanned over four decades of iconic performances.
The tributes immediately poured in, with Hollywood celebrating his two Oscar-winning performances in The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992), as well as his haunting turn in The Conversation (1974). And while these films cemented his reputation as one of the most gifted character actors of all time, they tell only part of the story.
Because Hackman wasn’t just a prestige actor—he was also a box office star.
He was the everyman hero, the scene-stealing villain, the grizzled authority figure, and the guy who could carry a blockbuster just as easily as an indie drama. But for some reason, when Hollywood looks back at his career, they tend to ignore the films that made him a household name—the ones that regular audiences watched again and again.
So today, let’s celebrate all of Gene Hackman’s legacy—not just the one Hollywood wants to remember.
The Everyman Who Turned a Blockbuster Upside Down
In 1972, Hackman starred in one of the biggest hits of the decade—The Poseidon Adventure. His role as Reverend Frank Scott, the determined preacher trying to lead a group of survivors out of an overturned ocean liner, showcased his ability to bring intensity and authenticity to even the most spectacle-driven films.
While The Poseidon Adventure is often remembered for its disaster movie thrills, Hackman’s performance is what elevates it. He plays a man of faith, but not blind faith, a leader, but not a hero in the traditional sense. His final, heartbreaking sacrifice—hanging from a burning steam pipe, screaming at God before falling into the flames—is one of the most powerful moments in 1970s cinema.
The film was a massive success, but the Academy ignored him. It didn’t matter. Audiences noticed. Hackman was no longer just a respected actor—he was a true leading man.
Lex Luthor: The Gold Standard of Supervillains
In 1978, Hackman took on a role that could have been forgettable and made it legendary—Lex Luthor in Superman: The Movie.
At a time when comic book movies weren’t taken seriously, Hackman made Luthor fun, charming, and unpredictable. He didn’t play him as a standard-issue evil genius—he played him as a brilliant, sarcastic, self-obsessed conman who was always the smartest guy in the room. His chemistry with Christopher Reeve and Ned Beatty made his Luthor both hilarious and dangerous, proving that a great villain doesn’t have to be dark and brooding—he can be entertaining as hell.
And while some actors struggle to maintain their legacy in sequels, Hackman owned the screen in Superman II (1980), holding his own against Terence Stamp’s General Zod and delivering some of the most quotable lines in the franchise.
To this day, when people think of Lex Luthor, they think of Hackman.
Thrillers That Defined a Generation
By the 1990s, Hackman had settled into a new era of stardom—he became the go-to veteran authority figure, bringing weight and credibility to a string of blockbuster thrillers:
- The Firm (1993) – As Avery Tolar, a corrupt lawyer caught between loyalty and survival, Hackman stole scenes from Tom Cruise in one of the decade’s biggest hits.
- Crimson Tide (1995) – His portrayal of Captain Ramsey, a no-nonsense Navy commander locked in a psychological war with Denzel Washington, gave us one of the most intense power struggles in movie history.
- Enemy of the State (1998) – In this spiritual sequel to The Conversation, Hackman played a reclusive surveillance expert, delivering another paranoid, high-stakes performance that kept audiences on edge.
These weren’t small art-house films—these were huge box office successes, proving that Hackman wasn’t just a prestige actor—he was a megastar.
One Last Heist
Before retiring, Hackman delivered one final underrated classic—Heist (2001), directed by David Mamet. His character, Joe Moore, is a seasoned thief who’s seen it all, delivering one of the best lines in any crime film: “Everybody needs money. That’s why they call it money.”
At 71, Hackman was still the coolest guy in the room. His performance was smooth, sharp, and effortlessly commanding, proving that even in his final films, he was still at the top of his game.
A Career Worth Celebrating
Hollywood loves to honor its legends, but sometimes, they rewrite the narrative to fit their own version of history.
Yes, Gene Hackman was one of the finest dramatic actors of all time, but he was also a true movie star. His career wasn’t just about Oscars and prestige dramas—it was about blockbusters, thrillers, and unforgettable performances that entertained millions.
For many of us, our first introduction to Hackman wasn’t The French Connection—it was The Poseidon Adventure. It wasn’t Unforgiven—it was Superman. It wasn’t The Conversation—it was Crimson Tide.
And that’s worth celebrating, too.
Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1
REELated:
Gene Hackman, legendary actor, and wife Betsy Arakawa found deceased at 95
