Nancy Travis Pays Tribute to ‘Incredible’ Late Costar Gene Hackman
Nancy Travis shared her reflections on the profound impact her late costar Gene Hackman had on her after his passing.
In a special interview for an upcoming edition of Us Weekly, 63-year-old Travis reminisced about their time together on screen.
“Considering that Gene Hackman has just left us, I wanted to mention that I had the privilege of working with him in a film titled Loose Cannons,” she remarked. “I recall being in awe while acting alongside him, thinking, ‘He’s not performing in a conventional sense. This is one of the finest actors of our era, and yet, it appears so effortless.’”
Travis departed from the filming with a deeper admiration for his nuanced yet impactful acting, stating, “What an enlightening experience it was to discover the art of acting through him, who was truly exceptional. He operated from within, and his connection with the camera was extraordinary. He was truly remarkable.”
Stars around the globe are grieving the loss of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Us Weekly on Thursday, February 27, that Hackman, along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog, were discovered deceased at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, February 26. “On February 26, 2025, […]
Us confirmed on Thursday, February 27, that both Hackman and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Hackman attained fame for his performances in films like The French Connection and Unforgiven, securing two Academy Awards and earning widespread admiration throughout his illustrious career.
“I’ve never considered myself [a star],” Hackman shared in a 2004 interview with Larry King. “I never aspired to be a star. My goal was to be an actor—a movie actor, a theater actor. That was all I ever wanted.”
Following Hackman’s passing, heartfelt tributes flooded in from across Hollywood.
Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Hackman in the 1974 film The Conversation, expressed, “The passing of a remarkable artist is always a reason for both grief and celebration: Gene Hackman, an exceptional actor, was both inspiring and complex in his contributions. I mourn his departure while celebrating his legacy.”
Similarly, George Takei remarked on the great loss of “one of the true giants of cinema,” stating, “Gene Hackman could embody anyone, evoking the essence of a lifetime within his characters. He could represent everyone and no one, embodying a monumental figure or just an ordinary individual. That’s the power of his artistry. He will be missed, but his legacy will endure.”
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman has sadly passed away at the age of 95. Hackman, along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog, were found lifeless at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, February 26. Arakawa was 63. The cause of death has yet to be determined, although authorities are not treating it as foul play.
Bill Murray offered his admiration for Hackman while recounting their collaborative experience on Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. “Gene Hackman was a tough character. But you couldn’t deny his talent,” Murray relayed to the Associated Press. “He was undeniably challenging—but older, seasoned actors don’t always make it easy for young directors. Gene was particularly demanding with Wes. I often found myself stepping in to defend my friend.”
Murray, 74, recounted how Hackman would perform a scene flawlessly “25 times,” while another actor may falter every single time.
“I’d watch it all unfold, thinking, ‘It’s no surprise why he got so frustrated,’” he shared. “Eventually, he would give an adequate performance, and the other actor would succeed, and I could see how close Gene was to losing his composure. He truly was a one-of-a-kind talent.”
