Born in California in 1930, Gene Hackman celebrates his 87th birthday Monday. Pictured here in the 1960s, the actor made his on-screen debut in 1961, landing early roles in The United States Steel Hour, The Defenders, and Bonnie and Clyde. In the decades since, Hackman has racked up two Oscars and three Golden Globes. See photos of the star through the years, ahead.
Gene Hackman in 1968
Gene Hackman With Al Pacino on the Set of Scarecrow in 1973
Gene Hackman With Gerald Ford at the Mission Hills Celebrity Sports Invitational in Rancho Mirage, California on November 30, 1991
Gene Hackman at the Next House ESPN The Magazine Party on February 4, 2005
Gene Hackman, known for his iconic roles in films like “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” has left a lasting cultural impact despite his retirement in 2004. Born during the Great Depression, Hackman’s love for acting began as a form of escapism from a challenging childhood. Enlisting in the Marines at the age of 16, he gained valuable experiences and later pursued studies in TV production and journalism.
Hackman, alongside Dustin Hoffman, was voted ‘Least Likely to Succeed’ by his acting classmates during their time at the Pasadena Playhouse in 1952. Despite early setbacks, Hackman had a late start in his film career, with his first named movie part in 1964’s “Lilith.”
Interestingly, Hackman was considered for the role of Mike Brady in “The Brady Bunch” but was overlooked in favor of Robert Reed. Throughout his career, Hackman valued honesty in his performances, often prioritizing the portrayal of his character’s truth over personal concerns.
Reflecting on his career, Hackman expressed a desire to explore more comedic and romantic roles, lamenting the typecasting he experienced in intense and aggressive roles. He nearly turned down his role in “Unforgiven” due to concerns about the movie’s violence, but Clint Eastwood convinced him of the film’s meaningful exploration of the consequences of violence.
Beyond acting, Hackman pursued diverse interests, including amateur race car driving in the 1970s and 1980s, where he won several races. After retiring from acting in 2004 due to health reasons, he embarked on a second career as a novelist, co-authoring books like “The Wake of the Perdido Star” and “Pursuit.”
While largely retired, Hackman occasionally contributed to documentaries, often narrating films related to his military service. Despite his reluctance to give interviews, Hackman’s impact on cinema and his multidimensional pursuits have solidified his legacy as a Hollywood legend.
