Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, whose acting career spanned decades and included iconic roles shot in Alberta, has died at the age of 95 -- and he won’t soon be forgotten by the local film community.
Authorities in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, discovered Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, deceased at their home on Wednesday, along with their dog.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza of the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department said the pair had been dead for some time.
“It’s not normal to find two people deceased in the residence. That’s concerning,” he said.
Police believe a fall may have contributed to Hackman’s death. While there were no immediate signs of foul play the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office says the investigation is ongoing.
Signature roles shot in Alberta
Alberta holds a special place in Hackman’s filmography.
He portrayed Superman’s arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor, in Superman (1978), Superman II (1980) and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987), with key scenes filmed in Blackie and High River.
However, it was his portrayal of Sheriff Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Oscar winning film, Unforgiven, that solidified his connection to Alberta’s film industry and earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Dean Goodine, a property master on Unforgiven, fondly recalled his first interaction with Hackman, when he met Eastwood for the first time.
“Gene looked at Clint and said, ‘You know, I’m really having trouble figuring this character out and how to play it,’” said Goodine.
“At the time, L.A. was going through a really tumultuous time with the Rodney King riots and all Clint said to Gene was, ‘I see you like Daryl Gates.’ And at the time, Daryl Gates was the chief of police for the Los Angeles Police Department and Gene looked at him and said, ‘I get it.’ That was all they said.”
Goodine also remembers Hackman’s remarkable humility following the award.
“I look up and here comes Gene with his Oscar, and he came over and he put it on the table in front of us,” said Goodine.
“And he said, ‘I just want to thank you for helping me win this.’ I thought that was amazing.”
John Scott, a longtime Longview resident, and owner of John Scott Productions, served as Hackman’s stunt double on multiple Alberta productions, including Superman, Unforgiven, and Prime Cut.
“They saw me and him together and they’d be in there photo double for him,” said Scott.
“And then I became a stunt double for about three years after that. Just a wonderful man, a very fantastic actor.”
Lasting impression
Hackman’s presence on Alberta sets left a lasting impression.
Damian Petti, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) #212 showed off pictures of Hackman at the union office, including one where he is pictured on the set with the cast and production crew of Unforgiven.
“He had a quiet presence on set, but was very professional and deeply respected by our members who worked with him,” said Petti.
