One of the first major film stars to break out in the 1970s, Gene Hackman was the epitome of New Hollywood. An actor with livewire intensity, he had a grit and brusqueness that few others could ever match,

Royal Tenenbaum’s epitaph. Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) is not Gene Hackman’s final film. (The actor would go on to make two more films after its release,

Gene Hackman was a singular performer whose work has been widely celebrated in the industry. But his prolific career has only been highlighted by his shocking death, which shines a light on the several classic and formative films Hackman starred in throughout his decades-long career.

In March last year, a frail-looking Gene Hackman clung onto the arm of his wife as they made their way to a local restaurant. It was the first time the couple had been seen in public for over 20 years.

Celebrated actors love to say they are “retiring” from Hollywood. But no one left it all behind quite like Gene Hackman.