‘Tough Guy’ Gene Hackman Made His Bones in Dramas — But His Comedic Chops Were Wildly Underrated

New York Post ^ | Feb. 27, 2025 | Johnny Oleksinski

[nickcarraway]

Words you see a lot on Gene Hackman’s extensive film resume: Lieutenant, Sergeant, Detective, Sheriff.

The movie star, who was found dead Wednesday at age 95 at home in New Mexico, was famous for playing admirals, generals, multiple (fictitious) presidents, coaches, a reverend, a senator and myriad other upright authority figures over his five-decade career in Hollywood.

But his portrayals, like his life, were full of fascinating contradictions. Popeye Doyle wasn’t just another detective, and Gene Hackman was not just another actor. Hackman was born in San Bernardino, California, in 1930 and eventually settled with his grandmother in Danville, Illinois.

[frank ballenger]

Scene of Hackman....

Heard on Chris Plante radio show today. The owner of Popeye’s chicken chain did not name it after the spinach eating cartoon sailor, but admired Hackman’s swagger in the French Connection. Never heard that before.

[dfwgator]

Speaking of...

One of my favorite scenes from Cannonball Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIYzLrChnWM

[The Duke]

I’ll see your “Hoosiers” and raise you an “Unforgiven”.

[frank ballenger]

Photo....

I remember at the 1972 Academy Awards someone onstage said Gene Hackman has kindly offered to drive anyone home who needs a ride tonight.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Well, the played together in Unforgiven and Gene really stole the show. Not much of a carpenter though.

[cowboyusa]

The Quick and the Dead.

[D_Idaho]

You know, the one Gene Hackman movie that kind of took me by surprise was “Uncommon Valor.” There’s a scene where he’s having a dream about when his son, who is a MIA after Vietnam, was little boy. He wakes up crying. Anybody remember that movie?

RIP Popeye Doyle

[Rummyfan]

A real hidden gem of a movie was The Package with Tommy Lee Jones.

An Andrew Davis flick, as were Under Siege and The Fugitive, both also featuring Tommy Lee Jones.

[Rummyfan]

Yeah I remember that one.

[gundog]

I like Uncommon Valor. Not a great flick, but watchable. Randall “Tex” Cobb as “Dancer.” I’ve often wondered if that was the inspiration for Leonard Smalls in Raising Arizona.

[Psalm 73]

"Young Frankenstein——"

That skit with him and Peter Boyle in the cabin is pure gold.

[Psalm 73]

"Would he have been a better Harry Callahan than Eastwood?"

Stop, just stop.

Dirty Harry is sacred ground, brother.

[Fledermaus]

It was fun. Comic book like. Bed Beatty was hilarious. Can’t go wrong with what’s her name.

I liked how he played it straight and smart and switch to comedy.

But I was young.

[Fledermaus]

The original was the same . La something Follies.

[Fledermaus]

Nah. But if you throw in a little Popeye Boyle...hmmm

I’ll stick to Eastwood. Sequels.

[Labyrinthos]

French Connection: “Pick your toes in Poughkeepsie.”

I sadly grew up in Poughkeepsie. His line — which I understand he ad-libbed — made us famous.

Favorite Hackman movie — The Unforgiven.

[Dr. Sivana]

It was fun. Comic book like.

It was comic book like, but not Superman comic book like. Superman is at the top of a pantheon of heroes whose backstory, and those of his friends, family, and enemies had been excruciatingly well-established. Lex Luthor never had henchmen, and he was too intelligent to get any that were so stupid and incompetant.

Aside from Luthor (I don't blame Hackman, he played it as it was written and directed), the movie was ruined because a BASIC TENANT of DC Comics at the time was that you could go back in time, but you could not change it. That was the cost of time travel stories. It allowed Superman to visit Krypton (sans powers) before he was born, but powerless to change the chain of events. If he could have helped Krypton, or at least save both his parents, then he would not have become Superman. The comic book writers leave plenty of plot holes, but they closed that one right up.

I am not against silly comic characters. You will note my screen name is Dr. Sivana. He was Lex Luthor before there was a Lex Luthor, but was primarily the original Captain Marvel's nemesis. Whiz Comics and Captain Marvel Adventures were much lighter than Superman. But Superman was not a brooder until much, much later. Batman and Peter Parker can't let go of the past, but most of the time, Supes just figures "Hey, my whole planet blew up, but the Kents raised me right, all the good people love me, I have great friends, and nothing less than a bursting shell (or much more) can penetrate my skin. Life is good. Let's save Metropolis ONE MORE TIME!"

[sethro]

Little Bill... “Now Ned, them whores are going to tell different lies than you. And when their lies ain’t the same as your lies... Well, I ain’t gonna hurt no woman. But I’m gonna hurt you.”

RIP, Mr. Hackman.

[Big Red Badger]

“Cigars!”

[gnarledmaw]

Admittedly, I dont know his pre-Bonnie&Clyde work but otherwise thats about the only one I can agree on.