Director Francis Ford Coppola, actor Viola Davis, director Paul Feig and and actor-director Clint Eastwood are among those paying tribute to Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog in their New Mexico home, authorities said Thursday.
鈥淭he loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity, I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.鈥� 鈥� .
"There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.鈥� 鈥� actor-director Clint Eastwood in a statement.
鈥淗e was a tough nut, Gene Hackman, but he was really good and he was really difficult. Like, we can say it now, but he was a tough guy because older great actors do not give young directors much of a chance. They're really rough on 鈥檈m.鈥� 鈥� Bill Murray, recounting to The Associated Press Thursday of the 鈥淩oyal Tenenbaums,鈥� including doing multiple takes flawlessly when other performers didn鈥檛 nail the scene. 鈥淗e was a great one. He was a great actor.鈥�
"There has never been a 鈥楪ene Hackman Type.鈥� There has only been Gene Hackman. 鈥�
鈥淲e have lost a true legend. The magnificent Gene Hackman has passed away. A man whose breath of talent was immeasurable. Growing up on his movies was an absolute thrill for me. To observe his remarkable facility and humanity in every role was something to behold. Whatever film he was in, he made it better. A force of nature like no other and as such there will never be another like him.鈥� 鈥�
鈥淭he greatest ... 鈥� 鈥� director .
鈥淪o awful. Gene was such an inspiration to so many of us who love movies. So many brilliant roles. His performance in 鈥楾he Conversation鈥� alone changed the way I looked at acting and what actors could bring to a role. Such an amazing career. RIP Mr. Hackman.鈥� 鈥�
鈥淟oved you in everything! 鈥楾he Conversation,鈥� 鈥楾he French 小蓝视频ion,鈥� 鈥楾he Poseidon Adventure,鈥� 鈥楿nforgiven鈥� 鈥攖ough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.鈥� 鈥�
"One of the best, one of the very, very best, has passed. Everything you ever wanted to know and learn about the craft of screen acting could be found in any, ANY of his performances. 鈥楾he French 小蓝视频ion.鈥� 鈥楥rimson Tide,鈥� 鈥楾he Conversation.鈥� Gosh! I could go on鈥� A master. 鈥�
鈥淚 am crushed by the sudden deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (and their dog). Crushed. He was always one of my favorites. Not many who beat to their own drums like he did. Rest in Peace.鈥� 鈥�
鈥淎 very sad day for the cinema鈥檚 family.鈥� 鈥�
鈥淕ene Hackman may have been known for playing the 鈥榯ough guy,鈥� including the hard-nosed cop Jimmy 鈥楶opeye鈥� Doyle in 鈥楾he French 小蓝视频ion鈥� and the supervillain Lex Luthor in 鈥楽uperman,鈥� but he had a soft heart for animals. From joining PETA in opposing a plan to use 200 鈥榬etired鈥� chimpanzees in experiments to rescuing a pair of stray dogs who wandered onto the set of 鈥楾he Replacements,鈥� Hackman used his remarkable gifts to make the world a kinder place for all.鈥� 鈥� PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange in a statement.
The Associated Press
