Inside Gene Hackman’s Second Career as a Novelist: ‘My Way of Staying Relevant’

Mar. 15, 2025

Gene Hackman and the cover of his novel ‘Pursuit’.Photo:Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage; Pocket Books

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage; Pocket Books

Gene Hackman, whowas found dead on Feb. 26at age 95, alongside his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, and one of their three dogs, was an acclaimed onscreen presence for decades. The two-time Oscar winner had memorable roles in iconic films likeBonnie and Clyde,The French Connection,Superman: The Movie,UnforgivenandThe Birdcage.But Hackman also had a second career as a novelist, and he published several works of fiction throughout his lifetime.Hackman began his literary career in 1999 with the historical novelWake of the Perdido Star. The book, about a young man who becomes a pirate, marked the first of three books Hackman wrote with archaeologist and friend Daniel Lenihan.

“We were talking about reading, what we enjoyed reading — both American classics and contemporary kinds of things,” Hackman said of his debut novel during a1999 interview with Charlie Rose. “We just decided we wanted to write a novel that we would like to read.”In 2004, the co-writers publishedJustice for None, about a World War I veteran imprisoned after his wife’s murder. Their third novel together,Escape from Andersonville, followed a Union officer during the Civil War, and was published in 2008.

Hackman also wrote two novels on his own. The first, a western titledPayback at Morning Peak, was published in 2011 and follows a teenager who travels through New Mexico seeking vengeance after his parents and sister are murdered. In 2013, Hackman publishedPursuit, a crime thriller about a single mother and police officer on the hunt for a killer.In a 2014 interview withWriter’s BoneaboutPursuit, Hackman noted he was particularly drawn to writing after he retired from acting in 2004.

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy in 1999.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Hackman’s family was also familiar with the writing industry. His father, Eugene, was a newspaper press operator, and Hackman’s grandfather and uncle were both reporters. Hackman also wrote short pieces for actors to read during auditions.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I wrote a lot of little short pieces, almost like audition pieces, for actors,” Hackman toldEmpirein 2020. “My son thought he wanted to be an actor at one time and was in New York, and I wrote him a couple of little monologues. I guess that’s where I started.”“It’s very relaxing for me,” Hackman told the outlet of his writing process. “I don’t picture myself as a great writer, but I really enjoy the process.”

source: people.com