Gene Hackman

“I was trained to be an actor, not a star. I was trained to play roles, not to deal with fame and agents and lawyers and the press.” American film actor known for his rugged looks and emotionally honest and natural performances. His reliability in various roles endeared him to audiences and his career spanned several decades, officially retiring in 2004. Hackman began his acting career in theater and television before making a name for himself in film. His first major film role was in “Lilith” (1964). He succeeded in the 70s with titles such as The French Connection (1971), where he played detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, winning the Oscar Award for Best Actor. In The Conversation (1974) directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Hackman played Harry Caul, an espionage specialist, for which he received an Oscar nomination. He won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Sheriff Little Bill Daggett in the western Unforgiven (1992) directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. His portrayal of the dysfunctional family patriarch in the comedy The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), directed by Wes Anderson, was critically acclaimed. His last film role was in Welcome to Mooseport (2004), a comedy in which he played opposite Ray Romano. After this film, Hackman retired from acting.