Although Gene Hackman‘s legacy includes a myriad of masterful dramatic performances, he also managed to elicit some laughs during his storied career.
Following the 2x Oscar winner’s death at age 95, writer-director Mel Brooks reminisced about working with Hackman on his Academy Award-nominated 1974 comedy classic Young Frankenstein.
“I was privileged to know Gene Hackman because he played tennis with another Gene—Gene Wilder. And that Gene told him about a little role called The Blind Hermit in our movie YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN,” wrote Brooks on X. “He said, ‘Do you think Mel would let me play it? I’ve always wanted to do a comedy.’ Needless to say, I was over the moon and he was perfect.”
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Starring the late Wilder as the titular doctor from Mary Shelley’s literary source material, Young Frankenstein also featured performances from Peter Boyle, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn and Cloris Leachman, as well as Brooks. The film earned Oscar nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound.
On Thursday, Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their Santa Fe, NM home, along with one of their dogs. Arakawa’s body was discovered with an open pill bottle and pills scattered next to her.
I was privileged to know Gene Hackman because he played tennis with another Gene—Gene Wilder. And that Gene told him about a little role called The Blind Hermit in our movie YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. He said, “Do you think Mel would let me play it? I’ve always wanted to do a comedy.”… pic.twitter.com/hjDHROS6GA
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) February 28, 2025
Although no foul play is expected and the couple suffered “no external trauma,” a cause and manner of death have not yet been determined, but Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department said the circumstances are “suspicious enough” to warrant further investigation.
Hackman, who was married to Arakawa since 1991, is survived by three children, Christopher, Elizabeth Jean and Leslie Anne, with late ex-wife, Maltese.
Glenn Garner
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