Gene Hackman: Two-Time Oscar Winner of The French Connection and Unforgi

Gene Hackman was an American actor best known for his powerful, versatile performances in The French Connection, Unforgiven, The Conversation and Hoosiers. Born Eugene Allen Hackman on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, he became one of the most respected actors of his generation.

Hackman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for playing Popeye Doyle in The French Connection (1971) and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992). He won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) and received the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2003. He also played Lex Luthor in the Superman films.

Hackman married Faye Maltese in 1956 and had three children, and he married pianist Betsy Arakawa in 1991. After retiring from acting in 2004, he wrote novels. He died around February 18, 2025, at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at age 95, of heart disease complicated by advanced Alzheimer's disease. His wife also died that month.

Achievements: Won Best Actor for The French Connection (1971), won Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992), won a Golden Globe for The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), received the Cecil B. DeMille Award (2003).

Birth: January 30, 1930 - San Bernardino, California.

Profession: Actor and novelist.

Interesting Facts: At 16 Hackman lied about his age to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was fired from The Graduate three weeks into rehearsals, reportedly for being too young for the role, and an asteroid was later named in his honor.