Eugene Allen Hackman was born in Riverside, California in 1930, and later brought up in Danville, Illinois. At a young age Gene was abandoned by his father, and soon looked to by his mother to set a good example for his younger brother. So, at the age of 16 Gene lied about his birthdate to get an early enlistment into the Marine Corps, where he eventually became a radio operator. After his discharge, Gene studied painting - something that he continues to enjoy to this very day, he also traveled and worked at various television stations across the country. He eventually returned to the West Coast and enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse where he made his stage debut with ZaSu Pitts in
The Curious Miss Caraway. Finding true passion for his new possible career, Gene began to work in a variety of summer stock productions while he supported his family with part time jobs.
After awhile Gene decided to try his luck in New York, where he slowly started making a name for himself by taking small parts on stage and in television. He eventually won the Clarence Derwent Award for his performance in Irwin Shaw's
Children at Their Games and soon emerged as a star on Broadway opposite Sandy Dennis in the comedy hit
Any Wednesday. After a few more years, Gene found his way on to the big screen, where he would become a legend and one of the most popular and respected actors of our time. He has now appeared in over 80 films since his 1964 debut in
Lilith co-starring Warren Beatty and Jean Seberg. His resume boasts an impressive list of credits including two Academy Award winning performances, one for Best Actor in
The French Connection (1971), the other for Best Supporting Actor in Clint Eastwood's hit western:
The Unforgiven (1992), as well as three additional Academy Award nominations for
Mississippi Burning (1988),
I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and 1967's
Bonnie and Clyde pairing him once more with Warren Beatty.
Gene has also established himself as an artist and author. In 1999, Gene released his first work of fiction
Wake of the Perdido Star, and again with the release of
Justice for None in 2004. He continues to write, paint and enjoy semi-retirement from the "Business" with his wife Betsy Arakawa at their home in Sante Fe, New Mexico.
Movie Credits
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006) (V) - Lex Luthor
Welcome to Mooseport (2004) - Monroe Cole
Runaway Jury (2003) - Rankin Fitch
Behind Enemy Lines (2001) - Admiral Leslie McMahon Reigart
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) - Royal Tenenbaum
Heist (2001/I) - Joe Moore
Heartbreakers (2001) - William B. Tensy
The Mexican (2001) - Arnold Margolese
The Replacements (2000) - Jimmy McGinty
Under Suspicion (2000) - Henry Hearst
Enemy of the State (1998) - Edward 'Brill' Lyle
Antz (1998) (voice) - General Mandible
Twilight (1998) - Jack Ames
Absolute Power (1997) - President Allen Richmond
The Chamber (1996) - Sam Cayhall
Extreme Measures (1996) - Dr. Lawrence Myrick
The Birdcage (1996) - Sen. Kevin Keeley
Get Shorty (1995) - Harry Zimm
Crimson Tide (1995) - Capt. Frank Ramsey
The Quick and the Dead (1995) - John Herod
Wyatt Earp (1994) - Nicholas Earp
Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) - Brig. Gen. George Crook
The Firm (1993) - Avery Tolar
Unforgiven (1992) - Little Bill Daggett
Company Business (1991) - Sam Boyd
Class Action (1991) - Jedediah Tucker Ward
Narrow Margin (1990) - Robert Caulfield
Postcards from the Edge (1990) - Lowell
Loose Cannons (1990) - MacArthur Stern
The Package (1989) - Sgt. Johnny Gallagher
Mississippi Burning (1988) - Agent Rupert Anderson
... and many more.
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Eugene Allen Hackman was born in Riverside, California in 1930, and later brought up in Danville, Illinois. At a young age Gene was abandoned by his father, and soon looked to by his mother to set a good example for his younger brother. So, at the age of 16 Gene lied about his birthdate to get an early enlistment into the Marine Corps, where he eventually became a radio operator. After his discharge, Gene studied painting - something that he continues to enjoy to this very day, he also traveled and worked at various television stations across the country. He eventually returned to the West Coast and enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse where he made his stage debut with ZaSu Pitts in
The Curious Miss Caraway. Finding true passion for his new possible career, Gene began to work in a variety of summer stock productions while he supported his family with part time jobs.
After awhile Gene decided to try his luck in New York, where he slowly started making a name for himself by taking
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