Gene Hackman, former Marine, dead at 95

Gene Hackman in June 2008

Legendary Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman has been found dead at the age of 95. Curiously, he was found dead with his wife and his dog, but the cops are saying there’s no signs of foul play. Stars and Stripes has the story.

Before acting, Hackman spent a stint in the Marine Corps, serving in China as a field radio operator. He’d ran away from home at 16 to lie about his age and enlist in 1946.

When he later took up acting in his 20s, he made friends with Dustin Hoffman. Together the two were voted “Least likely to succeed” by their classmates at the Pasadena Playhouse. Hackman got the lowest score then yet given by the Playhouse. The pair moved to NYC and became close friends with Robert Duvall. In the coming years as they struggled to establish themselves, the three would share apartments in various two-man configurations.

Hackman was nominated five times for an Oscar, and won twice (Best Actor for The French Connection and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven). He won five Golden Globes out of nine nominations, a SAG award (twice nominated) and many other awards in a career that spanned decades.

I always thought it was cool that three amazing actors were close friends, and all of them were Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe winners.

Category: Breaking News, Marines, Veterans in the news