John Travolta Remembers 'Brilliant' Gene Hackman and Their 'Very Funny' Conversations 30 Years AfterGet Shorty

Mar. 15, 2025

Gene Hackman and John Travolta in ‘Get Shorty’ (1995).Photo:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty

John Travoltais remembering his “brilliant” former costarGene Hackmanafter his death.

Travolta, 71, shared a tribute on his Instagram Stories Tuesday, March 4, posting a throwback photo of himself with Hackman on the set of 1995’sGet Shorty, which also starredRene RussoandDanny DeVito.

“I really enjoyed my time with Gene. Great conversations and very funny too,” Travolta wrote of working with the actor. “So easy to act with and always brilliant! I’ll miss you Gene!”

Gene Hackman.Vera Anderson/WireImage

Vera Anderson/WireImage

Get Shortydirector Barry Sonnenfeldalso recently shared memories of the late actor, whodiedlast month at the age of 95. Speaking withBBC News, Sonnenfeld, 71, reflected on working with Hackman and what he loved and disliked about his profession.

“He had this conflict in that he was this brilliant actor but he hated the tropes of what it took to act in movies,” the director said, noting that Hackman was not fond of prep like hair and makeup or wardrobe. “All that sort of fussy hair and makeup and all that stuff, I think that drove him crazy.”

Of Hackman and Travolta working together, Sonnenfeld did mentionTheFrench Connectionactor was not pleased when Travolta came to set “not knowing his lines.”

The director recalled one instance in which Travolta asked Hackman what he had done the previous weekend. “Nothing except learn the lines,” the late actor said, which theGreasestar subsequently called “a waste of a weekend.”

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Gene Hackman and wife Betsy.Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

“Well, this week, our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,” said Freeman, 87, as he spoke ahead of the ceremony’s wider In Memoriam segment.

“I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene on two films,UnforgivenandUnder Suspicion, and like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work,” Freeman said. “He received two Oscars, but more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world.”

Gene Hackman on Jan. 19, 2003.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

“Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,’ " Freeman added. “So I think I speak for us all when I say, Gene, you’ll be remembered for that and for so much more. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Hackman and hiswife of 34 years, classical pianistBetsy, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Feb. 26, along with one of their dogs. Two other dogswere discovered alive and healthyon the property.

Causes of death have yet to be determined and there is anactive and ongoing police investigation, with much of the case’s progress pending autopsy and toxicology results.

source: people.com