For film director Barry Sonnenfeld, Gene Hackman will forever be remembered as someone who adored acting but despised everything else that came with it. The legendary actor, who passed away at 95, was known for his disdain for the endless hair and makeup sessions, the countless retakes, and the barrage of studio notes—all of which, Sonnenfeld told BBC News, left him thoroughly frustrated. He also grew irritated with unprepared actors, notably clashing with John Travolta on the set of the 1995 film Get Shorty, which Sonnenfeld directed.
Since news of Hackman’s passing emerged, conversations with those who worked with him have revealed a consistent theme: Hackman was intensely serious about his craft. He approached acting with meticulous care, often reworking scripts by removing any guidance from screenwriters so that he could interpret his lines in his own unique way. For Hackman, acting was the core of his existence, while the trappings of Hollywood were an unwelcome distraction.
The Tragic End
Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, was found dead at his New Mexico home alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa (65), and their dog. Although no cause of death has been released, police described the circumstances as “suspicious enough” to warrant an investigation. Officials later indicated that evidence points to Hackman having died on February 17—nearly ten days before the couple’s bodies were discovered.
A Lasting Legacy in Hollywood
In Los Angeles, where Hackman’s image dominated television bulletins and headlines, his death became the focal point of conversation at pre-Oscars events. At one such gathering, actor John C. Reilly commented that the Academy Awards would be incomplete without a tribute to a great talent like Hackman.
Both Sonnenfeld and Irish director John Moore—who worked with Hackman on the 2001 film Behind Enemy Lines—recall Hackman’s unique method of handling scripts. He would meticulously cut out any writer’s notes regarding how his lines should be delivered. “He didn’t want any screenwriter dictating how he should feel in a particular moment,” Sonnenfeld explained. Instead, Hackman prepared his own “cut and pasted” scripts, free from any external direction, so he could make his own creative choices.
Moore remembered the first time he filmed with Hackman: the veteran actor sat quietly, methodically removing unnecessary scene descriptions and reconstructing the script on blank pages. “He told me, ‘Acting is my job, you do the rest,’” Moore recalled, laughing at the memory. In his words, Hackman was effectively saying, “I don’t need guidance—I’m that good. You better bring your A-game, because I’m bringing mine.”
A Demanding Presence on Set
Hackman’s focus on his craft sometimes made him a difficult presence on set. Sonnenfeld noted that while Hackman was a consummate professional who always came prepared, co-stars like Travolta sometimes fell short of his expectations. On the first day of filming Get Shorty, Travolta—described by Sonnenfeld as “charming but not self-aware”—asked Hackman what he had done over the weekend. Hackman curtly replied, “Nothing except learn the lines,” prompting Travolta to remark, “Well, that’s a waste of a weekend.” As filming continued, Hackman’s frustration with unprepared colleagues became more evident, with Sonnenfeld recalling that for 12 weeks, he bore the brunt of Hackman’s anger whenever Travolta missed his lines—even though Hackman was never truly angry with him.
It wasn’t only Travolta who tested Hackman’s patience; he also reportedly clashed with others on set, including director Wes Anderson. Bill Murray, who co-starred with Hackman in a 2001 film, recalled, “He was a tough nut, Gene Hackman. But he was really good.” Meanwhile, Moore, who never found Hackman difficult to work with, remembered him as patient, relentlessly professional, and always ready with a laugh or a joke. Moore did note that Hackman could become irritated with anyone who overemphasized their role, a reflection of his unwavering commitment to making each film exceptional.
Life After the Spotlight
After retiring from acting in 2004, Hackman chose a quiet life in New Mexico with his wife. Sonnenfeld speculated that one reason for his move to Santa Fe was the desire to escape the chaos of Hollywood and enjoy the great outdoors. In a rare 2008 interview with Reuters, Hackman admitted that while he missed acting—the very art that had been his life for almost 60 years—he found the compromises required by the industry to be overwhelmingly stressful.
Gene Hackman’s legacy remains that of an actor who dedicated himself entirely to his craft, eschewing the superfluous rituals of the film industry in favor of authenticity and excellence. His passing marks the end of an era for Hollywood, but his contributions to cinema will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.
