02. Gene Hackman

We might assume that, for an actor, receiving recognition and being rewarded for your work guarantees a lifelong journey on the screen. However, life doesn’t necessarily unfold that way.

Gene Hackman’s career spans decades, with a filmography encompassing over 80 films and numerous other works. He received two Academy Awards, one for Best Actor in The French Connection (1971) and a second for Best Supporting Actor in the Western Unforgiven (1992).

Gene left the spotlight after building a remarkable acting career to pursue his other dreams, desires, and priorities. He relocated with his wife to Santa Fe, New Mexico, dedicating himself to fishing, painting, and writing.

He subsequently published five novels, three of them co-authored with undersea archaeologist Daniel Lenihan. In 2008, while promoting his third novel, he confirmed his retirement from acting. He briefly returned to act in two documentaries related to the Marine Corps: The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima (2016) and We, the Marines (2017).

Gene Hackman, now 93 years old, shared in a 2011 interview with GQ that he was “very satisfied” with his career and his current state of being.