WTF Happened to GENE HACKMAN? 

The dude is 90 years old! Of course he should be taking it easy.

He’s retired. Gene has done enough!! One of the great movie actors of all time.

Over 30 years ago, my mother's business partner and his wife were on a golf green. Another couple asked if they could play along with them. He seemed like nice fellow, so the biz partner asked what he did for a living, not knowing anything about Gene. He humbly replied he was an actor. A man with his ego in check- sounded like a cool cat.

Gene Hackman is an incredible actor. The French Connection is a classic. Those students haven't got a clue.

Gene Hackman has always looked 50

Gene is one of the greatest actors of all time. I miss seeing him but respect that he retired on his terms.

WTF happened to Gene Hackman? It's simple: He put in his time and rode off in the sunlight to reap the benefits of retirement. And given the current state of Hollywood, I think he got out just in time, too.

Gene Hackman in “ Mississippi Burning” and “Enemy of the State.” Perfect performances. Definition of what it means to be an adult.

I didn't get to meet him in Santa Fe one time. My friend waved him over to our table while having an early lunch. They were old friends. I just sat quietly while they greeted each other. He nodded courteously toward me then he and his wife went off to find a table. My friend was quite excited that this was a good omen for our new business venture. "For you maybe," I thought, "I didn't get to meet Gene Hackman."

Gene hackman never seems to age. He has always looked like he's in his 40s-50s. Even in the early days. Brilliant actor though. This generation could learn a lot from him.

Sounds like those "film students" wouldn't know a good film if smacked them in the head.

In the movie Uncommon Valor (1983),the scene at the end of the movie where they have rescued POW's of the Vietnam War is one of the most emotional scenes of any movie in existence. When the rescued POW says to Gene, "We're going home?! For real?! “as he is weeping and he takes Gene's hand and the look that Gene gives him at that moment told me that Gene Hackman was living that moment for real. THAT'S what made GH such an excellent actor. He made you BELIEVE that he was really there living the moments you see in the movie. Uncommon Valor had me crying like a baby by the end of the movie, for real. Gene Hackman's line in that movie, "I'll go in there and rescue them myself if I have to go in with a POCKET KNIFE!!" Again, you believed he really would do it. He could convince any viewer that he could do anything and that made the difference. I'll NEVER stop admiring Gene Hackman. He is a major standout among actors all over Hollywood. There is no other like him.

What happened? He became legendary ... without a Doubt one of the Greatest of all Time. What a Legacy of great Movies 😮

Your fellow "students" knew nothing about cinema and pacing, basically. The 70s is my favourite era of cinema. Perfect pacing, incredible editing. *chefs kiss*

Hackman's responses, delivery and emoting made him a acting legend.

The French Connection is the perfect film. The soundtrack alone is a masterpiece.

The French Connection was NOT boring....it holds up today

Gene Hackman in the Poseidon adventure made it feel real.

The French Connection profoundly influenced my life and remains one of my can't miss films to understand typical American excellence and tenacity. Thanks Mr. Hackman, like Robert Shaw and John Wayne you are a man among men. All the best sir.

Gene looks a lot like my dad (who passed away in 2019 at 80 yo). As a result I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for him.💕

Wow. I didn't realize his last movie (imdb) was Welcome to Moosport. He was 74 when that movie was released. Happy retirement and making it to see 90.

Gene Hackman literally starred in 4 of my favorite films of all time: Conversation Poseidon Adventure Superman Bonnie and Clyde That's actually something to be proud of

He was Great in mississippi burning...RIP alan parker

If i ever got to meet gene hackman id want to say thank you for everything, i hope you are happy and realize how much youve been a part of my cinematic experience!

Gene Hackman-one of my favorite actors of all time! "The Conversation": one of the best and my favorite Gene Hackman role! Thanks Mr. Hackman!

His performances were genuine and believable and were fill of true grit !

Probably my favorite WTF so far. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job on these, Taylor. Times have been tough lately, and this brought a smile to the face and a tear to the eye. Cheers.

I loved the plastic rain coat in The Conversation, which he wore almost continually. It was like a waterproof coat of armor for this character, since he seemed to have real difficulty getting close to ANYONE! PS...Gene - you can make my ‘espresso’ any time!!!

I hope he is ok. Can't believe his 90. He deserves all the best in the world. Magnificent actor, low profile, decent, kind.

Tenenbaums Is one of my all-time favorite films! Thanks for focusing on it. I appreciate it. I of course also love “The French Connection,” and several other movies mentioned here. I also love this channel and these videos! I have watched a bunch.

His best role ever is in the Royal Tenembaums he reminds me so much of my grandpa

In 2000 he was in the crime drama "under suspicion" as well.

23:00 I still think he was really underrated & absolutely hilarious in "Heartbreakers"😂. Nobody remember how funny that movie was

Not sounding silly but this was one of the best videos I've seen on RU-vid for a long time. Thanks Gene and thanks JoBlo...... REALLY

I ve been watching your wtf videos for some time and I want to say that you make very good documentaries and are very respectful, gotta respect that

Hollywood: “would you like us to advance your career?“ Gene Hackman: “of course!“ Hollywood: “you must play as a drag-queen.” 🏳️‍🌈

David Shires soundtrack for The Conversation is one of the best ever also, Coppolas finest movie imo

One of the greatest actors of our time, enjoy your retirement Gene, you deserve it,thanks for all your great work.

Great Vid. Please keep making this videos ,so that amazing actors like this wont be forgotten.

Another great video, I used to think with the title, that you would be mocking the subject of the video but now I have watched them they are brilliant.

He retired. He was everywhere and then he wasn't. LOL I guess that is not as interesting an answer. I enjoy watching your videos.

Much missed. Amazing actor Always puts in a brill performance even in mediocre movies and saved many just by being in them .

Appreciate your video's, lot's of time invested in editing, thanks!

In the filming of the Royal Tenenbaums, Gene Hackman was so aggressive towards Wes Anderson (including frequent death threats), that the other actors would interfere to protect the director. Bill Murray even would come onto set on his days off to keep an eye on Hackman, "I remember, there was a scene where Gene goes for a walk in the park and I looked up on the top of this rock and you were standing with a cowboy hat watching the set. And you were just there to show solidarity and I was very touched by that.”

He retired from acting years ago he’s 90 years old now

Young Gene Hackman looks like Now Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

He started training Lipizzaner Stallions. In Portugal.

this WTF videos are bloddy amazing dude. Thank you.

He retired......lol

crismon tide one of my all time favorite movies.

Plain and simple...he retired, just like regular folks...Good for you Gene, they don't make actors like this anymore.

We need more actors like Gene Hackman...

In "The French Connection, the drug was not "meth"; it was heroin.

The tennebaums, I can't see past it. Love every second of that film

you are very right to use "air quotes" for those "film students" . You are not a student of film if you can not appreciate a film made before the year you were born. Yes, films of the past maybe not as be fast paced or frenetically edited as they are today = but that does not create excite or suspense, it only mimics it. I honestly feel bad for people who cannot get into older films - they are missing out on so much.

Danish viewer here. We loved his films in Denmark and his acting. Including the French Connection. A convincing actor.

I thought he looked good as a woman in The Bird Cage at the end of the film escaping the press in disguise with the late great Robin Williams. He got my vote. I liked him also in The Conversation & The Poseidon Adventure & many others. This is when movies were great & so were the actors. Of course we haven't seen him lately....he is 90 & probably retired but his movies live on.

I've loved Gene Hackman since The Conversation.

This was a great video. Very impressive. Thanks!

I've seen quite a few Hackman movies (including two not mentioned - "The Package" and "Narrow Margin") - but this made me realize there's a lot of classics I haven't seen yet. Time to do some searchin' on Trakt.

It's disappointing to hear that one of your favourite stars was difficult to work with. Otherwise Hackman was a fabulous actor - never disappointed or bored me in any of his roles. Sure the film may have been a turkey but Gene always stood out with his brand.

I met Gene Hackman at a book signing years ago. I was drunk & thought it'd be funny to get him to sign his book Rankin Fitch instead of his name. He looked at me weird but did it anyway.

This is a very classy piece. Well-done.

The Conversation is perfect! I love it!

Enjoyed this video A great actor with many great films on his resume

Hackman is one of the best to do it.. thanks for this!

according to IMDb, he's got 100 film credits to his name (Mooseport was the 100th), so maybe he felt he's reached a milestone and decided to call it quits. i find that commendable, actually.

I saw the French Connection first time about 5 years ago, I was in my mid 30s so not young but not old either. I like the movie very much, no it's not boring. People who are saying that seem to be people who are only used to modern action movies and nothing much more than that.

He did the right thing when he retired, one of the greatest actor ever.

Mississippi Burning is still one of my favorites

I respect your work. It's as epic as the movies self. History masterclass. Gonna watch this flick again.

The guy was in a hundred movies from the 60's to 2004. About 40 years! WTF happened? Movie creativity went to pot, he got too old for that bs. He got some of the best roles ever. French Connection, Superman, Hoosiers, Enemy Of The State...what more could you want?

He was on an episode of Diners, drive-in and dives.

thx for this. I love public enemy, 1998. it's my goto winter movie but I didn't know much about hackman personally. loved him in get shorty and birdcage. For anyone wondering, he was 74 in 2004.

Thank u. Really good job on the video .

So weird. I'm watching Crimson Tide and googled him to see what he's been up to and you posted this.

I was 15 years old when i saw The French Connection for the first time And i love it (both part) Classic movies Not borring for sure I am the guy who watch Glengarry Glen Ross for 7 th time and for me this is entertainment masterpiece

I still have a DVD copy of Bonnie and Clyde. I saw it at my school when it first came out, at the age of 14. It had a huge impact. I have thought for a long time that Gene Hackman is probably the best male actor to come out of America. He has played such diverse and sometimes controversial roles. I never get sick of his movies and watch them time and time again.

Unforgiven! And absolute Power is where I first say gene hackman. Great actor. Love these channel.

Two comments: 1 - "The French Connection" was a groundbreaking film; and yes, it's NOT boring, and still stands up today against almost any action-drama film. (Ex: the great action driving sequences in the Bourne films drew off of The French Connection.) 2 - His name is Roy Scheider, NOT SchNEIder. Man ........ i gave this vid a thumbs-up, but now i'm regretting it. P.S. Try to cut out the bouncy, over-hyped talking style, and just be NORMAL ..... if that's possible.

Martin Scorsese actually intended to have him as a narrator in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' during the film's early stages, but it fell through.

Thanks Gene for all the great times! Love ya!

Oooo... 31 huge minutes for the great Gene... which is awesome... Worthy.

Raymond broke Gene Hackman. ....just like he tried to break Peter Boyle. Stop it Raymond! Stop the breakage!

Pretty simple, he aged.,,and "The French Connection" is epic.

Thanks for this one!

Cool new intro for this series.

Gene Hackman retired and is now writing. That's what happened to him. It's a no brainer!

Loved him in the original Christopher Reeve Superman movies

“What about the Guermans...?” One of the best lines ever

Back in Feb 2019 Gene Hackman stopped at the Walmart here in our town out on I-40 here in AZ coming from New Mexico en-route to L.A. for a book signing. His vehicle was experiencing problems with a tire so he pulled off the road and headed to the service center. I was in the pet section when I heard this guy coming up the aisle just cussing up a blue streak. I walked out to the center aisle and there he was walking slow, hands emoting every epithet as his wife walked on ahead and disappeared in the women's make-up section. I just stood there as he walked by me, my eye catching his, which he noticed and he stopped and asked, "You ever have one of those days? Of course you have!" Then he ranted on about how the service guys there at Walmart didn't know Jack about tires or much of anything else. I told him, "I sure did understand," then I said, Wait a second, I know you I know who you are, I can't think of your name, it'll come to me..." He just beamed and grinned, seemingly enjoying the moment because I couldn't think of his name. Then it came to me and I blurted out, "Gene Hackman! You're Gene Hackman, the actor, a great actor who's made a 100 great films or more. I loved you in 'The Unforgiven' and dozens of movies I have on DVD." His facial expressions changed as the grin faded and he said, "You think I'm an actor? You think that was acting back there," referring to his blue rant coming up the aisle, "No, that wasn't acting. I'm no actor. I'm the real deal. A 100 films? Is that all? Well, you know what they used to say, "It's not really a movie unless Gene Hackman or Michael Caine are in it - preferably both." Now, I'm retired, I golf and write books and they pay me to travel." He turned and started walking away seemingly relieved that I didn't try to shake his hand or ask for an autograph. I could tell he was not exactly in the mood. So I left him off so to speak. Before he drifted from my line of sight I called out, "It was really nice meeting you Mr. Hackman!" He turned a bit and said, "It was really nice meeting me too!" I could barely contain myself. Gene Hackman wasn't the first celebrity I met here in this town, and again right there in Walmart. About five months prior I spotted Maria Sharapova perusing the wine section. When she saw that I had indeed recognized her she put her index finger up to her lips and said, "Shhhh!" as her eyes pleaded with me not to approach her. I was blown away and wanted to say how much I have enjoyed her tennis career and how beautiful she is (and man, oh man, she is TALL!) but I respected her wishes. She was dressed in a very casual dress (it was warm for October, in the mid-80's*F) I just nodded to her and smiled and didn't say a word. I went to the front of the store to tell 'Greg' one of my friends who worked in Security (loss prevention actually) that she was in the store, checking out the wine section. He dashed back to see that she was doing ok in her shopping and asked her if he could be of assistance and she told him no, she just wanted to be left alone and not fussed over, as she is really just another customer and not really a celebrity. He told me minutes later that she had selected a medium priced dinner wine, some cheese, and fresh snack type vegetables and had checked out of the store unimpeded by anyone. A couple days later I checked her Twitter account and sure enough there was a photo taken of her at our local IN-N-OUT Burgers location just off the I-40 where she had stopped to grab some of their French fries, which she said was one of her few "guilty pleasures' - she mentioned that she was on the road doing a book signing for her autobiography and coming out of Phoenix she on her way to L.A. for a photoshoot at the L.A. Auto Show and decided to stop off to rest for the night, here in town where she grabbed a room at one of the better motels and opted to shop a little while she was here. Ya just never know who will wander in to your local Walmart or IN-N-OUT. BTW - William Shatner is a regular here at a local greasy spoon. I've never seen him but folks I know see him a couple times a month here in town. Cheers! :)

I friggin love Gene Hackman. The Conversation is one of my favourite films. The way he played that character, a character who if played by a lesser actor might have come across as boring or a blank canvas... he made him so compelling. I love him in Scarecrow with Al Pacino. He is amazing in Unforgiven also.

8:40, holy shit!! You learn something every day.

And another great video, by the way!

I miss seeing Gene Hackman in movies :(

Imagine how angry you have to be to be called down by Dennis Hopper

The French Connection was an awesome flick. I saw it at the theatre when it first out, also saw Bonnie and Clyde 3 times the first week it was out,, back then you could stay in the theatre and watch the movies more than once and they were double features

I really enjoyed your video. Thanks.

I liked him in Heist (2001, with Ricky James, Sam Rockwell, Danny DeVito), which you didn't mention, but you listed a lot--I'm not complaining. I didn't realize how many Gene Hackman movies I own (10) until I saw this. His performance in Unforgiven may be my favorite, but maybe the script has something to do with that. ("The Duck of Death. . . Duck, I says."") He was such a good actor.

The harder the actor, The crap they bring, and the mess they are. Thats when great films are made great. Miss all you guys that helped raise another that had no real dad. Enjoyed and at times, Emulated you Gene. See you on the lighter side.