Joey Magidson
Yesterday, we learned the tragic news that Gene Hackman had passed away. Rather than focus on the grim aspect of the story, I wanted to look at his incredible body of work. So, we have an impromptu Awards Radar Community Question to share with you all. What are your favorite Hackman films and performances? There’s no shortage of options, even though it really does feel like we should have gotten a few more. He lived a long life, chose retirement, and went out more or less still at the top of his game, so there’s much to honor. Today, we do a bit of that.
For reference, here is what I would name as the ten best Hackman performances, with a few honorable mentions. Behold:
Honorable Mention: Bonnie and Clyde, The Firm, Get Shorty, The Poseidon Adventure, and Runaway Jury
10. Superman
9. No Way Out
8. Mississippi Burning
7. The Royal Tenenbaums
6. Crimson Tide
5. The Conversation
4. Unforgiven
3. The French Connection
2. Young Frankenstein
1. Hoosiers
Now, the choice is yours. What are your favorite Gene Hackman performances? Are you watching any of his works today or this weekend in order to honor the man? I know I will be. There’s no wrong answers, so go with your gut and go with your heart. We’re all ears and can’t wait to find out how you’re paying tribute to Hackman. Rest in Peace, sir…
What are your favorite Gene Hackman performances? Let us know!
“Objectively,” I have to single out The Conversation as his “best” performance ever. But I’ve always had a soft spot for his lovable dirtbag patriarch at the center of The Royal Tenenbaums.
It’s nice that he was able to spend his last twenty years enjoying a twenty year-long retirement with his wife on his terms.
Agreed on his retirement, no question.
One of my all time favorites. My blind spots are Scarecrow, All Night Long and Twice in a Lifetime. Looking over his filmography brought me a lot of smiles. As the biggest Hoosiers fan I’ve ever met do you think the fact you saw it again recently had anything to do with your placement…I think I probably would have nominated him that year…but I can’t say that’s amongst his very best…He’s that good in other things. But we are splitting hairs. My top 5 could be all flipped to whatever I’ve seen most recently. He might be the most underrated two time winner and/or 5 time (i think) acting nominee of all time.
Mississippi BurningUnforgivenConversation, TheRoyal Tenenbaums, TheFrench Connection, TheHoosiersGet ShortyBonnie and ClydeBirdcage, THeI Never Sang for My FatherNight MovesHeistSupermanCrimson TideNo Way OutEnemy of the StateUnder FireFrim, TheYoung Frankenstein (one of the best cameos ever)Class ActionSome guilty pleasures are Superman 2, Extreme Measures, The Replacements, Runaway Jury and Downhill Racer.
As an on the side…I don’t get emails from the site anymore about your new articles. Not sure if thats a thing anymore or if it’s just me.
Strong picks!
In regard to the emails, some people were complaining so we turned them off for now