Gene Hackman, the actor famous for his role as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in “The French Connection,” has died along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at their home in New Mexico. The cause of death remains unconfirmed, but there is no suspicion of foul play.

Hackman is remembered for his intense and gritty performances, beginning with his breakthrough role as Buck Barrow in “Bonnie and Clyde” and culminating in an Oscar-winning performance in “The French Connection.” His career spanned many notable films through the 1970s and beyond, including “Bonnie and Clyde,” “The Conversation,” and “The French Connection II.” He showcased a range of roles, from a blind hermit in “Young Frankenstein” to Lex Luthor in the first “Superman” film, and even ventured into lighter fare with roles in “Get Shorty” and “The Birdcage.”

Hackman took a break from acting in the late 1980s but returned with critically acclaimed performances in “Unforgiven” and “Mississippi Burning,” for which he received second Oscar nominations. Despite his success, Hackman had an uneasy relationship with the limelight and stepped away from acting in 2004 to pursue writing.

His retirement from the screen saw him publish several novels, including historical fiction and thrillers. Hackman’s impact on film is marked by his willingness to take on challenging roles and his ability to shift between intense dramatic characters to those with a sharp streak of humor.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/a-look-back-at-gene-hackman-s-career-a-hollywood-tough-guy/a-71766143?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf