The recent and tragic news of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, has left movie fans around the world reeling. While the unsettling details surrounding their passing may capture attention, this isn’t TMZ. Instead, we choose to honor the life and extraordinary talent of one of the greatest actors of our time. Gene Hackman was renowned for his unparalleled ability to convey authenticity—something that is notoriously difficult for actors to achieve. He masterfully portrayed characters with remarkable depth and complexity, from flawed anti-heroes to charismatic villains and enigmatic oddballs, always infusing his roles with genuine humanity.

Join Azed and Tom as they celebrate their favorite performances by Gene Hackman.