Gene Hackman ‘hated’ own film and warned it would be ‘career-ending’

had an illustrious acting career which spanned decades and earned him countless awards, including two and two . However, he was said to have hated one of his most memorable films so much that he thought it would end his career for good.

It is claimed that the late 95-year-old disliked the 1986 sports film, Hoosiers. The film sees Gene play the coach of a small-town high school basketball team and tells the story of their journey to the state championship finals. The all-star cast also includes Dennis Hopper and Barbara Hershey.

Gene is widely reported to have told Dennis Hopper: “I hope you’ve invested well because you and I are never gonna work after this movie. This is a career-ending film for both of us.”

On top of this, Gene was apparently difficult on the Indiana set. Director David Anspaugh claimed he exploded at him on the first day of filming, simply for being told to film another take without being asked first.

David recounted Gene saying: “You’ve got no taste, your head’s completely up your a**, and you’re a phony.”

The director, who is also known for Rudy (1993) and Moonlight and Valentino (1995), said he apologised to Gene and they filmed five or six more takes. However, when David asked whether Gene would like to try anything new, he hit back: “Why? What the hell is wrong with it?”

In an interview with Vulture, David went as far as to say that Gene had him “on the verge of a nervous breakdown”.

When asked if Gene ever apologised for his behaviour, David said “he never did” but recalled him explaining: “I know I behave like a child sometimes. I want to make a good movie, but I just don’t feel comfortable making movies where I feel comfortable.”

Gene secured the Best Actor Oscar in 1972 for his role as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection. He later landed a further Academy Award in the Best Supporting Actor category for his part in 1992 Western Unforgiven, directed by .

He also picked up Oscar nods for his role in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang For My Father (1970) and Mississippi Burning (1988).

Gene and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead along with one of their dogs in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, last week.

Tributes flooded in from his colleagues after the tragic news was announced. said: “There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.”

Francis Ford Coppola added: “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity, I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

Bill Murray admitted: “He was a tough nut, Gene Hackman, but he was really good and he was really difficult. Like, we can say it now, but he was a tough guy because older, great actors do not give young directors much of a chance. They’re really rough on ’em.”