Legendary actor Gene Hackman's life in pictures
American actor Gene Hackman has been found dead along with his wife at their home in New Mexico.
Hackman won an Academy Award for The French Connection in 1971, pictured here in his role as "Popeye" Doyle from the classic William Friedkin thriller.
Born in San Bernardino, California in 1930, Hackman's family moved around the country while his father worked as a printing press operator.
He began acting in 1956, joining the Pasedena Playhouse.
After moving to New York, he went on to star in dozens of iconic films.
Hackman had an early breakout role in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967.
From left to right, actors Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow, Estelle Parsons as Blanche Barrow, Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow, Faye Dunaway as Bonnie Parker and Michael J. Pollard as C. W. Moss in a publicity still for the film 'Bonnie and Clyde', 1967. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Shooting to stardom in the 1970s, Hackman starred in 10 films over the next three years.
Hackman starred along Christopher Reeve in the original Superman movies.
Hackman resisted the role that brought him his second Oscar. When Eastwood first offered him Little Bill Daggett, the corrupt town boss in Unforgiven, Hackman turned it down.
But he realised that Eastwood was planning to make a different kind of Western, a critique, not a celebration of violence.
The film won him the Academy Award as best supporting actor of 1992.
Marisa Tomei and Gene Hackman hold their Oscars at the 65th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Tomei won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1992 film My Cousin Vinny, and Hackman won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Unforgiven.
In 1991, Hackman married classical pianist Betsy Arakawa.
He had three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese.
Hackman won an Academy Award for The French Connection in 1971 and another for Unforgiven in 1992. He received Oscar nominations for three other films.
Hackman was beloved for his portrayal of Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle in The French Connection.
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