Gene Hackman.Photo: A Rodriguez/BEI/ShutterstockGene Hackmanis back in the spotlight and reminiscing aboutThe French Connectionfor the film’s 50th anniversary.The actor, 91, gave his first interview in a decade toThe New York Postabout making the 1971 classic, writing via email, “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.“The film follows a New York detective “Popeye” Doyle (Hackman) and his partner Buddy “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider) as they chase a French heroin smuggler through the streets of the city. Hackman’s performance earned him an Oscar for Best Actor, yet the icon said he has never bothered to rewatch the film and has no plans to for its anniversary."[I] haven’t seen the film since the first screening in a dark, tiny viewing room in a post-production company’s facility 50 years ago,” he told the outlet, adding that “if the film has a legacy, I am not sure what that would be. At the time, it seemed to me to be a reverent story of a cop who was simply able to solve and put a stop to a major crime family’s attempt to infiltrate the New York drug scene.“Hackman, who retired from Hollywood in 2004, admitted the film was a highlight in his long career, during which he also starred inSuperman, Hoosiers, The Birdcage, The Royal Tenenbaums, UnforgivenandHoosiers.Gene Hackman in The French Connection.20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock"The film certainly helped me in my career, and I am grateful for that,” he said.His first Academy Award nomination came in 1967 forBonnie and Clydeand in 1971, which marked his third time getting an Oscar nod, he walked away with the statuette.Hackman was nominated two more times, once in 1988 forMississippi Burningand again in 1992 forUnforgiven, which marked his second victory.Hackman’s last movie role wasWelcome to Mooseportin 2004. In July of that year, he toldLarry Kingthat his career was “probably all over,” and that he had no new scripts in front of him. Confirming his retirement in 2008, he expanded on his thoughts several years later, tellingGQthat it would take a lot for him to make another film.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.“I don’t know.If I could do it in my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people,” he said, later telling the outlet that he just hopes to be remembered “as a decent actor.“Despite not having starred in a film in 17 years, the actor began trending on Twitter as fans celebrated his 90th birthday.“The magnificent Gene Hackman turns 90 years old today. Cheers toone of the all-timegreats,” wrote one fan on Twitter, as another added: “Happy Birthday #GeneHackman Thanks for all theawesomeness you brought to our lives.““90 wow! One of my favorite all time actors. Whenever he’s on the screen I’m watching him.His facial expressions are priceless#GeneHackman,” added a third, as yet another chimed in, writing: “Happy birthday to Gene Hackman aka one of the few actors that hasnever made a bad movie. Here’s hoping you enjoy many more incredible birthdays! Much respect!”
Gene Hackman.Photo: A Rodriguez/BEI/Shutterstock
Gene Hackmanis back in the spotlight and reminiscing aboutThe French Connectionfor the film’s 50th anniversary.The actor, 91, gave his first interview in a decade toThe New York Postabout making the 1971 classic, writing via email, “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.“The film follows a New York detective “Popeye” Doyle (Hackman) and his partner Buddy “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider) as they chase a French heroin smuggler through the streets of the city. Hackman’s performance earned him an Oscar for Best Actor, yet the icon said he has never bothered to rewatch the film and has no plans to for its anniversary."[I] haven’t seen the film since the first screening in a dark, tiny viewing room in a post-production company’s facility 50 years ago,” he told the outlet, adding that “if the film has a legacy, I am not sure what that would be. At the time, it seemed to me to be a reverent story of a cop who was simply able to solve and put a stop to a major crime family’s attempt to infiltrate the New York drug scene.“Hackman, who retired from Hollywood in 2004, admitted the film was a highlight in his long career, during which he also starred inSuperman, Hoosiers, The Birdcage, The Royal Tenenbaums, UnforgivenandHoosiers.Gene Hackman in The French Connection.20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock"The film certainly helped me in my career, and I am grateful for that,” he said.His first Academy Award nomination came in 1967 forBonnie and Clydeand in 1971, which marked his third time getting an Oscar nod, he walked away with the statuette.Hackman was nominated two more times, once in 1988 forMississippi Burningand again in 1992 forUnforgiven, which marked his second victory.Hackman’s last movie role wasWelcome to Mooseportin 2004. In July of that year, he toldLarry Kingthat his career was “probably all over,” and that he had no new scripts in front of him. Confirming his retirement in 2008, he expanded on his thoughts several years later, tellingGQthat it would take a lot for him to make another film.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.“I don’t know.If I could do it in my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people,” he said, later telling the outlet that he just hopes to be remembered “as a decent actor.“Despite not having starred in a film in 17 years, the actor began trending on Twitter as fans celebrated his 90th birthday.“The magnificent Gene Hackman turns 90 years old today. Cheers toone of the all-timegreats,” wrote one fan on Twitter, as another added: “Happy Birthday #GeneHackman Thanks for all theawesomeness you brought to our lives.““90 wow! One of my favorite all time actors. Whenever he’s on the screen I’m watching him.His facial expressions are priceless#GeneHackman,” added a third, as yet another chimed in, writing: “Happy birthday to Gene Hackman aka one of the few actors that hasnever made a bad movie. Here’s hoping you enjoy many more incredible birthdays! Much respect!”
Gene Hackmanis back in the spotlight and reminiscing aboutThe French Connectionfor the film’s 50th anniversary.
The actor, 91, gave his first interview in a decade toThe New York Postabout making the 1971 classic, writing via email, “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.”
The film follows a New York detective “Popeye” Doyle (Hackman) and his partner Buddy “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider) as they chase a French heroin smuggler through the streets of the city. Hackman’s performance earned him an Oscar for Best Actor, yet the icon said he has never bothered to rewatch the film and has no plans to for its anniversary.
“[I] haven’t seen the film since the first screening in a dark, tiny viewing room in a post-production company’s facility 50 years ago,” he told the outlet, adding that “if the film has a legacy, I am not sure what that would be. At the time, it seemed to me to be a reverent story of a cop who was simply able to solve and put a stop to a major crime family’s attempt to infiltrate the New York drug scene.”
Hackman, who retired from Hollywood in 2004, admitted the film was a highlight in his long career, during which he also starred inSuperman, Hoosiers, The Birdcage, The Royal Tenenbaums, UnforgivenandHoosiers.
Gene Hackman in The French Connection.20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
“The film certainly helped me in my career, and I am grateful for that,” he said.
His first Academy Award nomination came in 1967 forBonnie and Clydeand in 1971, which marked his third time getting an Oscar nod, he walked away with the statuette.
Hackman was nominated two more times, once in 1988 forMississippi Burningand again in 1992 forUnforgiven, which marked his second victory.
Hackman’s last movie role wasWelcome to Mooseportin 2004. In July of that year, he toldLarry Kingthat his career was “probably all over,” and that he had no new scripts in front of him. Confirming his retirement in 2008, he expanded on his thoughts several years later, tellingGQthat it would take a lot for him to make another film.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.
“I don’t know.If I could do it in my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people,” he said, later telling the outlet that he just hopes to be remembered “as a decent actor.”
Despite not having starred in a film in 17 years, the actor began trending on Twitter as fans celebrated his 90th birthday.
“The magnificent Gene Hackman turns 90 years old today. Cheers toone of the all-timegreats,” wrote one fan on Twitter, as another added: “Happy Birthday #GeneHackman Thanks for all theawesomeness you brought to our lives.”
“90 wow! One of my favorite all time actors. Whenever he’s on the screen I’m watching him.His facial expressions are priceless#GeneHackman,” added a third, as yet another chimed in, writing: “Happy birthday to Gene Hackman aka one of the few actors that hasnever made a bad movie. Here’s hoping you enjoy many more incredible birthdays! Much respect!”
source: people.com
