Gene Hackman career: The Marine who became a movie star
Hollywood just lost a real one. Gene Hackman, the gravel-voiced legend who ruled the silver screen for over four decades, has bid his final goodbye. The 95-year-old actor has been found deceased alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. No foul play is suspected, just a quiet exit from a life that was anything but.
The Marine who became a movie star (after a few odd jobs)
Before Hackman became the man who made bad guys sweat in The French Connection(a 1971 movie) or Clint Eastwood’s equal in Unforgiven (a 1992 movie), he was, let’s say, exploring his options. School wasn’t his scene—he dropped out at 16, joined the US Marine Corps (by lying about his age, classic move), and spent a few years as a field radio operator. Somewhere in between, he flirted with journalism at the University of Illinois, but the real action was elsewhere—Hollywood.
The “least likely to succeed” who proved everyone wrong
Hackman’s acting ambitions weren’t exactly met with applause at first. At the Pasadena Playhouse, he and a then-unknown Dustin Hoffman were voted “least likely to succeed” by their classmates. Well, that aged poorly. Hackman went on to become a two-time Oscar winner.
From truck driver to Oscar winner
It wasn’t an overnight success story. Before making it big, Hackman did it all—truck driver, furniture mover, even doorman duties. But when he finally landed a supporting role in Lilith (1964), Hollywood started paying attention. Then came Bonnie and Clyde (1967), where he stole scenes as Buck Barrow. The Academy took note. Nominations followed. Then wins. First, The French Connection, where he turned Popeye Doyle into an icon, then Unforgiven, where he made sure Clint Eastwood had a worthy adversary.
A legacy that stretches beyond Hollywood
Beyond the awards, Hackman was a storyteller in every sense. After stepping away from acting in the early 2000s, he turned to writing, co-authoring historical and thriller novels. Well, why stop at being a Hollywood icon when you can also be a bestselling author? Here’s a look at his literary side:
- Wake of the Perdido Star (1999) – Co-authored with Daniel Lenihan
A high-seas adventure following a young man caught in a world of betrayal and revenge on the ocean.
- Justice for None (2004) – Written by Gene Hackman
A gripping Depression-era legal thriller about a wrongfully accused man in 1920s Missouri.
- Escape from Andersonville (2008) – Co-authored with Daniel Lenihan
A Civil War novel centered on a Union soldier’s daring escape from the notorious Confederate prison, Andersonville.
- Payback at Morning Peak (2011) – Written by Gene Hackman
A classic Western revenge tale about a young man tracking down outlaws who slaughtered his family.
- Pursuit (2013) – Written by Gene Hackman
A modern thriller about a corrupt politician, a relentless investigator, and a deadly chase.
Now, with his passing, the world loses a man who wasn’t just an actor but a force of nature. Gene Hackman didn’t just play legends—he became one.
