Gene Hackman's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Ron Davis/Getty

Ron Davis/Getty

Gene Hackman, the legendary actor and two-time Oscar winner, has died at age 95.He leaves behind an incredible legacy of work in iconic films that includeThe French Connection, The Birdcage, SupermanandHoosiers;his versatility and talent earned him many accolades from critics and peers, includingthe Cecil B. DeMille award for lifetime achievement in filmat the Golden Globes.Hackman retired from acting in 2004, choosing to leave Hollywood for a quiet life with his wife Betsy Arakawa in Santa Fe, New Mexico, writing novels and very occasionally speaking to the media to look back on his career. He and Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 25, 2025.Look back on Hackman’s life in photos, from Gene Hackman as a young Marine to the iconic acting roles that made his name in Hollywood.

Gene Hackman, the legendary actor and two-time Oscar winner, has died at age 95.

He leaves behind an incredible legacy of work in iconic films that includeThe French Connection, The Birdcage, SupermanandHoosiers;his versatility and talent earned him many accolades from critics and peers, includingthe Cecil B. DeMille award for lifetime achievement in filmat the Golden Globes.

Hackman retired from acting in 2004, choosing to leave Hollywood for a quiet life with his wife Betsy Arakawa in Santa Fe, New Mexico, writing novels and very occasionally speaking to the media to look back on his career. He and Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 25, 2025.

Look back on Hackman’s life in photos, from Gene Hackman as a young Marine to the iconic acting roles that made his name in Hollywood.

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Gene Hackman Grows Up in Illinois

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Gene Hackman was born on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California. From a young age, he was drawn to show business.

Hackman’s family moved to Illinois, where he grew up during the Great Depression.

At 16, Hackman dropped out of high school to join the Marines, lying about his age to make the cut, perMilitary.com.

02of 26Gene Hackman, U.S. MarineMarine CorpsHackman served in the military for four and a half years, working mostly as a radio operator. While stationed in China and Hawaii, “he was demoted three times for leaving his post without permission,” per the outlet.

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Gene Hackman, U.S. Marine

Marine Corps

Hackman served in the military for four and a half years, working mostly as a radio operator. While stationed in China and Hawaii, “he was demoted three times for leaving his post without permission,” per the outlet.

03of 26Gene Hackman Befriends Dustin HoffmanBettmann Archive; Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty ImagesAfter leaving the service in 1952, Hackman studied in Illinois and New York, working odd jobs along the way, perBiography.com.During this time, Hackman committed to acting, joining the Pasadena Playhouse in California at age 22. While there, he became fast friends with Dustin Hoffman when the two were voted “least likely” to succeed, according toConnoisseur.

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Gene Hackman Befriends Dustin Hoffman

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After leaving the service in 1952, Hackman studied in Illinois and New York, working odd jobs along the way, perBiography.com.

During this time, Hackman committed to acting, joining the Pasadena Playhouse in California at age 22. While there, he became fast friends with Dustin Hoffman when the two were voted “least likely” to succeed, according toConnoisseur.

04of 26Gene Hackman’s Early CareerMichael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesHackman began achieving his ultimate goal — just to be a working actor — shortly after arriving in L.A.“I always knew that I wanted to be an actor from the time I was 10 years old,” he said in a 1985 interview, but he would say throughout his career he didn’t have aspirations of stardom, necessarily. “I was trained to be an actor, not a star. I was trained to play roles, not to deal with fame and agents and lawyers and the press,” he said to AP News,perThe Guardian.

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Gene Hackman’s Early Career

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Hackman began achieving his ultimate goal — just to be a working actor — shortly after arriving in L.A.

“I always knew that I wanted to be an actor from the time I was 10 years old,” he said in a 1985 interview, but he would say throughout his career he didn’t have aspirations of stardom, necessarily. “I was trained to be an actor, not a star. I was trained to play roles, not to deal with fame and agents and lawyers and the press,” he said to AP News,perThe Guardian.

05of 26Gene Hackman Marries Faye Malteseullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty ImagesIn 1956, he married Faye Maltese and the two would go on to welcome three children together – son Christopher, and daughters Elizabeth and Leslie. They were wed for 30 years before splitting in 1986.

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Gene Hackman Marries Faye Maltese

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In 1956, he married Faye Maltese and the two would go on to welcome three children together – son Christopher, and daughters Elizabeth and Leslie. They were wed for 30 years before splitting in 1986.

06of 26Gene Hackman as a DadFrank Edwards/Archive Photos/GettyHackman, pictured here with Elizabeth and Leslie, looked back as his time parenting as a happy one, but more absent than he would have liked to be due to his career.“I didn’t handle it very well, really,”Hackman told Larry King of his fame taking off at the same time that he had young children. “I took care of my family. My family’s never wanted for anything, but because I was so enamored of the Hollywood of old, the glamour of that — although I never involved myself in that — I was really so taken with that, the fact that I was part of that and that I could be anything and anyone I wanted to be.”In later years, he spoke of their good relationship, saying his children gave him career advice; they would also occasionally accompany him to events.

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Gene Hackman as a Dad

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Hackman, pictured here with Elizabeth and Leslie, looked back as his time parenting as a happy one, but more absent than he would have liked to be due to his career.

“I didn’t handle it very well, really,”Hackman told Larry King of his fame taking off at the same time that he had young children. “I took care of my family. My family’s never wanted for anything, but because I was so enamored of the Hollywood of old, the glamour of that — although I never involved myself in that — I was really so taken with that, the fact that I was part of that and that I could be anything and anyone I wanted to be.”

In later years, he spoke of their good relationship, saying his children gave him career advice; they would also occasionally accompany him to events.

07of 26Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman & Robert Duvall Team UpBettmann Archive; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Kobal/ShutterstockMoving to New York to pursue his acting dreams, Hackman, Hoffman and their friend Robert Duvall worked odd jobs while dreaming of more. Through the ’50s and ’60s, the trio leaned on each other when times got tough.“In those days it was a question of which of us was the most broke right then, and the other two would help him out,” Hackman toldVanity Fairin 2004.

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Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman & Robert Duvall Team Up

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Moving to New York to pursue his acting dreams, Hackman, Hoffman and their friend Robert Duvall worked odd jobs while dreaming of more. Through the ’50s and ’60s, the trio leaned on each other when times got tough.

“In those days it was a question of which of us was the most broke right then, and the other two would help him out,” Hackman toldVanity Fairin 2004.

08of 26Gene Hackman Hits BroadwayMary Evans/Columbia Pictures Corporation/Ronald Grant/Everett CollectionIn 1958, Hackman broke into theater off-Broadway, and continued landing roles on the small stage.After seeing him in the original cast ofAny Wednesday,director Robert Rossen cast him inLilith in 1964alongside Warren Beatty, Biography.com reported. From there, Hackman’s big break would soon follow.

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Gene Hackman Hits Broadway

Mary Evans/Columbia Pictures Corporation/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

In 1958, Hackman broke into theater off-Broadway, and continued landing roles on the small stage.

After seeing him in the original cast ofAny Wednesday,director Robert Rossen cast him inLilith in 1964alongside Warren Beatty, Biography.com reported. From there, Hackman’s big break would soon follow.

09of 26Gene Hackman’s Big BreakSilver Screen Collection/Getty ImagesHackman’s rising star shined as Buck Barrow in the now-iconicBonnie and Clyde,acting alongside Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who played the criminal couple.The 1967 drama was a box office hit and Hackman even earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

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Gene Hackman’s Big Break

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Hackman’s rising star shined as Buck Barrow in the now-iconicBonnie and Clyde,acting alongside Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who played the criminal couple.

The 1967 drama was a box office hit and Hackman even earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

10of 26Gene Hackman’s First Oscar NominationBettmann ArchiveThough he didn’t ultimately score the statuette, Hackman was all smiles at the 1968 Academy Awards with his wife, plus Hoffman and his date Ellen McCarthy.

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Gene Hackman’s First Oscar Nomination

Bettmann Archive

Though he didn’t ultimately score the statuette, Hackman was all smiles at the 1968 Academy Awards with his wife, plus Hoffman and his date Ellen McCarthy.

11of 26Gene Hackman Stars in ‘I Never Sang For My Father’Columbia Pictures/Getty ImagesNext, the actor tackled the role of college professor Gene Garrison inI Never Sang For My Father(1970), for which he earned his second Oscar nod for for Best Supporting Actor.

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Gene Hackman Stars in ‘I Never Sang For My Father’

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Next, the actor tackled the role of college professor Gene Garrison inI Never Sang For My Father(1970), for which he earned his second Oscar nod for for Best Supporting Actor.

12of 26Gene Hackman Plays Popeye Doyle in ‘The French Connection'20th Century Fox/Hulton Archive/Courtesy of Getty ImagesThe following year, Hackman shot to superstardom for his portrayal of Detective Popeye Doyle inThe French Connection,hunting down a heroin smuggler with his pals in the New York City Police Department.For the riveting role, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor.

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Gene Hackman Plays Popeye Doyle in ‘The French Connection’

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The following year, Hackman shot to superstardom for his portrayal of Detective Popeye Doyle inThe French Connection,hunting down a heroin smuggler with his pals in the New York City Police Department.

For the riveting role, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor.

13of 26Gene Hackman Wins His First Academy AwardBettmann ArchiveAnd he won! Hackman’s elation whileaccepting the awardat the 1972 Academy Awards said it all – he had made it in Hollywood.Sweeping the ceremony,The French Connectionalso netted four other Oscars, including Best Picture – a first for an R-rated movie, per theAcademy.

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Gene Hackman Wins His First Academy Award

And he won! Hackman’s elation whileaccepting the awardat the 1972 Academy Awards said it all – he had made it in Hollywood.

Sweeping the ceremony,The French Connectionalso netted four other Oscars, including Best Picture – a first for an R-rated movie, per theAcademy.

14of 26Gene Hackman Chips at a Mystery in ‘The Conversation’Paramount/Kobal/ShutterstockHardly slowing down after the success, Hackman lit up the leading role of a security expert obsessed with a mystery in Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Conversation. The 1974 film was nominated for three Oscars.

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Gene Hackman Chips at a Mystery in ‘The Conversation’

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Hardly slowing down after the success, Hackman lit up the leading role of a security expert obsessed with a mystery in Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Conversation. The 1974 film was nominated for three Oscars.

15of 26Gene Hackman Having Fun in ‘Young Frankenstein'20th Century Fox/Kobal/ShutterstockThe same year, fans saw Hackman show off his range as an actor in the comedyYoung Frankenstein,playing Harold the Blind Man.

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Gene Hackman Having Fun in ‘Young Frankenstein’

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The same year, fans saw Hackman show off his range as an actor in the comedyYoung Frankenstein,playing Harold the Blind Man.

16of 26Gene Hackman Leans into Lex LuthorMichael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesSwitching gears once again, Hackman starred in his first superhero film withSuperman: The Moviein 1978, in the role of the evil villain Lex Luthor. Creating conundrums and threatening destruction for the righteous Superman (Christopher Reeve), Hackman would reprise the role in the two sequels that followed.

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Gene Hackman Leans into Lex Luthor

Switching gears once again, Hackman starred in his first superhero film withSuperman: The Moviein 1978, in the role of the evil villain Lex Luthor. Creating conundrums and threatening destruction for the righteous Superman (Christopher Reeve), Hackman would reprise the role in the two sequels that followed.

17of 26’Hoosiers’ Was a Slam Dunk for Gene HackmanOrion/Kobal/ShutterstockDribbling into the sports genre, Hackman played an optimistic coach who led his small-town high school basketball team to success at the state championship in the critically acclaimed film in 1984.

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‘Hoosiers’ Was a Slam Dunk for Gene Hackman

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Dribbling into the sports genre, Hackman played an optimistic coach who led his small-town high school basketball team to success at the state championship in the critically acclaimed film in 1984.

18of 26Gene Hackman is the Man for the Job in ‘Mississippi Burning’Bertrand LAFORET/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesIn another critically acclaimed character, Hackman starred as an FBI agent seeking justice in 1998’sMississippi Burning.For the part, he scored his second Oscar nod for Best Actor.

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Gene Hackman is the Man for the Job in ‘Mississippi Burning’

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In another critically acclaimed character, Hackman starred as an FBI agent seeking justice in 1998’sMississippi Burning.For the part, he scored his second Oscar nod for Best Actor.

19of 26Gene Hackman Weds Betsy ArakawaRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesFive years after his split from Maltese, he married Betsy Arakawa, seen here with him at theVanity FairOscar Party in 1994.

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Gene Hackman Weds Betsy Arakawa

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Five years after his split from Maltese, he married Betsy Arakawa, seen here with him at theVanity FairOscar Party in 1994.

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Gene Hackman in ‘Unforgiven’

“A great many actors and writers have their roots in Midwestern towns,” Hackman toldConnoisseuirin 1988. “It seems to generate a rich fantasy life.”

21of 26Gene Hackman Wins His Second OscarSteve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty ImagesFor his role as the chilling cowboy Little Bill Daggett, Hackman won his second Academy Award for Best Actor.Unforgivenalso picked up the Best Picture prize that year.

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Gene Hackman Wins His Second Oscar

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For his role as the chilling cowboy Little Bill Daggett, Hackman won his second Academy Award for Best Actor.Unforgivenalso picked up the Best Picture prize that year.

22of 26Gene Hackman Takes on the 2000sJames Hamilton/Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock; 20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection; Kerry Hayes/20th Century Fox/Kobal/ShutterstockThe actor embraced a range of roles in the new millennium, from the moodyRoyal Tenenbaumsto the legal thrillerRunaway Juryand the comedyWelcome to Mooseport —which became his last role before announcing his retirement.

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Gene Hackman Takes on the 2000s

James Hamilton/Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock; 20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection; Kerry Hayes/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

The actor embraced a range of roles in the new millennium, from the moodyRoyal Tenenbaumsto the legal thrillerRunaway Juryand the comedyWelcome to Mooseport —which became his last role before announcing his retirement.

23of 26Gene Hackman Tells Larry King He’s RetiredPaul Hawthorne/Getty Images; Evan Agostini/Getty ImagesIn conversation with the CNN host in 2004, Hackman said that his career in front of the camera was “over,” and joking it was because all the roles had dried up.“I don’t have a project, Larry. If you have a script, I’ll read it,“he joked to King.

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Gene Hackman Tells Larry King He’s Retired

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In conversation with the CNN host in 2004, Hackman said that his career in front of the camera was “over,” and joking it was because all the roles had dried up.

“I don’t have a project, Larry. If you have a script, I’ll read it,“he joked to King.

24of 26Gene Hackman, NovelistRick Maiman/Sygma via Getty ImagesFlexing his creativity in a different way, Hackman kicked off a career as a novelist, releasingWake of the Perdido Star, Escape From AndersonvilleandJustice for Nonethrough the late ’90s and early 2000s.

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Gene Hackman, Novelist

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Flexing his creativity in a different way, Hackman kicked off a career as a novelist, releasingWake of the Perdido Star, Escape From AndersonvilleandJustice for Nonethrough the late ’90s and early 2000s.

25of 26Gene Hackman Looks Back on His LifeGene Hackman.A Rodriguez/BEI/ShutterstockIn October 2021, Hackman gave hisfirst interviewin a decade for the 50thanniversary ofThe French Connection.“Filmmaking has always been risky — both physically and emotionally — but I do choose to consider that film a moment in a checkered career of hits and misses,” he toldThe New York Post.“The film certainly helped me in my career, and I am grateful for that,” Hackman added.

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Gene Hackman Looks Back on His Life

Gene Hackman.A Rodriguez/BEI/Shutterstock

In October 2021, Hackman gave hisfirst interviewin a decade for the 50thanniversary ofThe French Connection.

“Filmmaking has always been risky — both physically and emotionally — but I do choose to consider that film a moment in a checkered career of hits and misses,” he toldThe New York Post.

“The film certainly helped me in my career, and I am grateful for that,” Hackman added.

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Gene Hackman Dies

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source: people.com