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Norm Lewis, Michael James Scott, Cameron Anika Hill, Terence Archie, Allison Blackwell, Troy Iwata, Michael Hartung and Meghan Murphy will star in La Cage aux Folles when the musical returns to The Muny this summer after nearly four decades. La Cage aux Folles, the hilarious romp that inspired the 1996 film The Birdcage, runs August 8-14. The production is led by Marcia Milgrom Dodge (director), Richard J. Hinds (choreographer) and Darryl Archibald (music director/conductor). The team also includes Matthew Buttrey (scenic designer); Bobby Pearce (Costume Designer); Adam Honoré (lighting designer); John Shivers and David Patridge (sound designers); Kylee Loera and Greg Emetaz (video designers); Tommy Kurzman (wig designer);...

It’s been four months since Zachary Quinto (American Horror Story) shed his scrubs and clocked out after the debut season of Brilliant Minds. Since then, fans of NBC’s newest medical procedural have been waiting on pins and needles for a reveal that will tell them whether the series will return as part of the network’s fall slate. It’s been tough on those who watched other newbies like St. Denis Medical and Happy’s Place landed their renewals at the start of the year, but we’ve finally got an answer today, as NBC has chosen to continue Quinto’s tenure as neurologist Oliver Wolf.

Initially introduced to audiences as part of NBC’s fall lineup for 2024, Brilliant Minds comes from Michael Grassi, who based much of the story on the very real life of neurologist Oliver Sacks and his non-fiction book series, The Man Who Mistook...

Elsbethjust left its millions of fans with their jaws dropped in Season 2, Episode 18, "I Know What You Did Thirty-Three Summers Ago." With the titular Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) dedicating herself to bringing down Judge Milton Crawford (Michael Emerson), little did anyone expect the task to be executed quite so brutally. As the episode cuts to credits, attention immediately turns to what lies in store next for Elsbeth, with the second season almost coming to an end. That next installment is Episode 19, "I've Got a Little List," which promises more breathless drama, twists, turns, and even the arrival of an exciting new guest star.

As can be seen in an official sneak peek available to watch below, Season 2, Episode 19, "I've Got a Little List," will feature the talented Billy Magnussen as Rod, a playboy thrill-seeker who has a dangerous item on his bucket list worth Elsbeth's investigation. Alongside the recently cancelled The Franchise,...

“Mid-Century Modern” introduces Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham as a trio of best friends who chose to cohabitate together during a pivotal part of their lives.

The three men are described as “gay gentlemen of a certain age,” who move into the home of the wealthiest of them in Palm Springs, where his mother, played by the late Linda Lavin, also lives.

In addition to the main trio, “Mid-Century Modern” also features a guest star lineup that includes Pamela Adlon, Vanessa Bayer, Kimberly Coles, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Judd Hirsch, Richard Kind, Stephanie Koenig, Billie Lourd, Esther Moon Wu, Jaime Moyer, Cheri Oteri, Rhea Perlman and Zane Phillips.

Disney/Christopher Willard

Nathan Lane as Bunny Schneiderman

Nathan Lane stars as Bunny Schneiderman, who convinces his best friends, Jerry and Arthur, to move to Palm Springs to live with him and his mother, Sybil. Bunny is a successful business man and a hopeless romantic.

Emmy award-winning actor Nathan Lane is known for his roles in a lot of projects. He was the voice of Timon in Disney's The Lion King, Albert Goldman in The Birdcage, and he recently appeared as Dominick Dunne in the controversial Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. However, there's one role Lane says he didn't get that ended up going to "the guy from Seinfeld" for one, ridiculous reason: homophobia.

Lane, who came out as gay in 1999, recently spoke to Vanity Fair about his life and career. When asked if he feels that his roles in Hollywood were limited because of homophobia, the Tony award-winning actor said he didn't know if that was the case in every part he lost out on, but he did provide a specific example of when it did rear its ugly head. The movie in question? The beloved 1996 family sports comedy Space Jam.

In a Vanity Fair interview The Producers and The Birdcage star claimed that being an out gay actor cost him roles in his career

The Producers star Nathan Lane says that “homophobia is alive and well” in Hollywood and that being an out gay actor cost him roles.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Lane said that his breakthrough film role in the 1996 comedy The Birdcage, in which he played a flamboyant drag queen in a long-term relationship with Robin Williams’ club-owner, failed to lead to a significant movie acting career, reporting that his then agent told him: “Maybe if you weren’t so open about your lifestyle, it would have.”...

Tony and Emmy winner Nathan Lane is best known for The Producers, The Lion King and The Birdcage, but there were also roles he did not get — and for the wrong reasons.

Asked in a recent interview with Vanity Fair if homophobia limited his opportunities, Lane equivocated a bit and then offered one specific example.

“I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, but I can’t help but think that it played a part. I was told it did impact a movie that I didn’t really care about: Space Jam. I was up for the part that the guy from Seinfeld wound up playing.”

That guy from Seinfeld was Wayne Knight, who ended up playing Michael Jordan’s assistant in the Warner Bros. film.

“I was up for that part,” recalled Lane. “Apparently the director [Joe Pytka] saw me hosting the Tony Awards and thought that...

Actor Nathan Lane was passed over for a role in the 1996 movie Space Jam, a decision he feels was likely due to homophobia. However, it's not the "role that got away" for Lane, as he says he actually felt relieved that he didn't have to do the film.

Lane addressed his near-casting in Space Jam during a new interview with Vanity Fair. He was asked about how much homophobia might have impacted his career during that era, and that had the actor remembering the situation with Space Jam. As Lane explained, he was in consideration to play Stan Podolak, Michael Jordan's assistant, who was ultimately played by Wayne Knight. Lane also said he'd been told that the film's director, Joe Pytka, thought he was "too gay" for the role.

"I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, but I can’t help but think that [homophobia] played a part [in limiting movie roles]," he said.

Nathan Lane said in an interview with Vanity Fair that he lost out on a role in 1996’s “Space Jam” and was told it was because he was just “too gay.” While Lane said he never knows “what goes on behind closed doors,” he “can’t help but think” that homophobia “played a part” in shaping the roles he could or couldn’t do. He cited “Space Jam” as an example.

“I was told [being gay did] impact a movie that I didn’t really care about: ‘Space Jam.’ I was up for the part that the guy from ‘Seinfeld’ wound up playing,” Lane said of being up for the role of Michael Jordan’s publicist and assistant Stan, ultimately played by Wayne Knight in the movie. “I was up for that part. Apparently the director saw me hosting the Tony Awards and thought that suggested I was too gay to play the part.

Nathan Lane’s star-making, Golden Globe-nominated turn in 1996 film “The Birdcage” didn’t have as much of an impact as the actor thought it would. Lane detailed how he actually lost out on roles — specifically one of which was “Space Jam” — after leading the comedy about a proud queer couple forced back into closet for the benefit of their heteronormative son and his would-be fiancée’s conservative family.

Lane has previously said that he was “not prepared at all” to publicly come out as gay when “The Birdcage” was released and was “terrified” of being outed at the time; he later came out in 1999. Yet “Space Jam” director Joe Pytka allegedly deemed Lane “too gay” to star as Michael Jordan’s assistant in the film, which was also released in 1996. Wayne Knight instead was cast.

“I was up for that part,” Lane told Vanity Fair. “Apparently the director [Joe Pytka] saw me...

Billy Magnussen is on his way to give Carrie Preston a run for her money. Collider is excited to exclusively reveal that the Tony Award-nominated actor will be one of the last guest stars on the currently running second season of Elsbeth. His latest dip into television will see The Franchise alum step into the killer shoes of Roderick Bedford. Described to be just about as pretentious as his name, Roderick is a rich kid looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush when he decides to chase his itch for a thrill with a brutal and heartless kill. Magnussen adds his name to a star-studded lineup of guest performers that has previously included the likes of Nathan Lane (The Birdcage), Laurie Metcalf (Scream 2), Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) and more. Right now, it isn’t clear which episode Magnussen will be dropping by for, but no matter the case,...

It was truly a terrible weekend at the box office. We're talking about one of the worst weekends in decades. That may sound hyperbolic but it's no less true. Case in point: Paramount Pictures topped the charts with its original comedic action flick "Novocaine." Starring Jack Quaid ("The Boys"), it earned $8.7 million. Indeed, the number one movie in the country in mid-March made less than $9 million. One would be hard-pressed to find weekends in the past 30 years where the number one movie made so little. 

Unfortunately, it gets worse. This weekend also saw the release of Steven Soderbergh's new thriller "Black Bag." Despite having a killer cast led by Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, it earned just $7.5 million, coming in at number three for the weekend. Meanwhile, last weekend's winner, the Robert Pattinson-starring "Mickey 17," landed at number two with $7.51 million. A small victory there. Unfortunately, director Bong Joon Ho...

Quick LinksThe Replacements' Jimmy McGinty Wasn't Into AggressionThe Replacements Was Really About Jimmy McGinty

The entertainment industry was rocked by the death of Gene Hackman. The veteran actor, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs were found dead in their New Mexico home. Since then, fans have been looking back at his storied career. Tributes have come in, honoring the actor's diverse filmography.

While Hackman may be best remembered as Lex Luthor, there is another underrated movie the actor starred in the year 2000 that he doesn't get enough praise for: The Replacements, starring Keanu Reeves. What truly stands out about the film is that Hackman, as Coach Jimmy McGinty, subverted a tiresome Hollywood trope when it came to the depiction of coaches.

The Replacements' Jimmy McGinty Wasn't Into Aggression Hackman's McGinty Used Calmer Coaching Tactics

In the annals of sports films, coaches are often portrayed as too aggressive.

Three years after their last feature film, “The Gray Man,” premiered on Netflix and one year before they make their return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, directors Anthony and Joe Russo are back. Their latest offering, “The Electric State,” is a sci-fi blockbuster with a hefty price tag. The film, which continues the Russos’ ongoing creative partnership with Netflix, has a reported budget of $320 million — making it one of the most expensive movies ever made.

Only films based on pre-existing pieces of intellectual property typically get that kind of financial support in Hollywood these days. Is “The Electric State” based on a book, though? Here is what you should know about the new, expensive Netflix film’s origins.

Is “The Electric State” based on a book?

Yes! “The Electric State” is not, however, based on a traditional book. It is, instead, loosely based on a 2018 illustrated novel by acclaimed Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag.

Chicago – Oscar winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arawaka were found dead in their New Mexico home on February 26th. Arawaka died of a rare lung infection, the 95-year-old Hackman succumbed to natural causes. Photographer Joe Arce captured this Exclusive Portrait of Hackman in 2000.

The mystery and circumstances surrounding the couple’s death stayed in the headlines for weeks. They both had been deceased for several days before being discovered, and at first is was speculated that carbon monoxide poisoning might have been the culprit. But as the investigation continued, it was determined that Ms. Arawaka had died first on or around February 11th of a rare lung infection, and Hackman … suffering from Alzheimer’s disease … died one week later.

Actor Gene Hackman in 2000

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Gene Hackman was born in San Bernardino, California, but the family settled in Danville,...

Nathan Lane remembers working with the late Gene Hackman on “The Birdcage” as “the thrill of a lifetime.” Sitting with Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show” Tuesday, the actor shared that one of the more memorable scenes between their characters in the 1996 Mike Nichols movie actually featured unscripted ad-libs that made it all the more memorable.

“I think I told him every morning that he was my favorite actor … He was like Spencer Tracy, you couldn’t catch him acting. He could do comedy or drama beautifully. And he was such a smart actor,” Lane told Colbert before recalling the scene where his character — who is in drag — and Hackman’s sing and dance to “I Could Have Danced All Night” from “My Fair Lady.”

“And then at the end, we’re leaving the scene, we’re going into dinner, and I ad-libbed, I said, ‘You know I played Eliza in high school?...

Words cannot express the monumental loss of Gene Hackman, arguably the finest actor of any Hollywood generation. As investigators sift through the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Hackman, his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs, pointing fans toward one of Hackman's final TV appearances may help ease the pain.

In 2008, well into retirement, Hackman briefly appeared on The Food Network's culinary road show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Humble, humorous, down-to-earth, and as natural in front of non-famous locals as he was in front of a movie camera, Hackman's delightful cameo sheds insight into his small-town New Mexico life post-Hollywood.

Gene Hackman Was a One-of-a-Kind Performer

For younger crowds who may be unaware of Gene Hackman's unparalleled acting greatness, the two-time Oscar winner amassed 101 credits from 1961 to 2004. After breaking out in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, Hackman showcased tremendous range and natural onscreen charisma across all genres.

Quick LinksGene Hackman Was One of Cinema's Great Dramatic Tough GuysThe Birdcage Was a Revolutionary and Culturally Relevant FilmGene Hackman's Conservative Senator Keeley Is a Soft VillainThe Birdcage Has Aged Well, Despite Its Apparent Stereotypes

Despite retiring from acting two decades ago, people were shocked to learn 95-year-old Gene Hackman died, along with his wife Betsy Arkawa. The couple were found in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home, with authorityies confirming both individuals died at different times. Hackman's passing, naturally, led to an outpouring of emotional tributes for the decades of work Hackman is known for.

While Hackman's dramatic prowess is unmatched, he was also fond of comedic acting, seeing it as a challenge greater than the roles he was best known for. What makes his turn in The Birdcageso spectacular is that he wasn't "supposed to be" the "funny" character. He played a conservative Senator whose daughter was set...

Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

Chaos: The Manson Murders (Errol Morris)

Over half a century later, what new information can be gleaned from the nights of August 9 and 10, 1969? Tom O’Neill and Dan Piepenbring’s riveting (if convoluted) book Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties––released in June 2019, between the Cannes premiere and theatrical release of Quentin Tarantino’s cathartic rewrite of that history––argues that while all the evidence of the murders has been gleaned, there’s a complex and knotty web of conspiracies for the motivations, some more plausible than others. To pare down the 528-page book to its most overarching theory, it postulates Manson may have been allowed (and perhaps even directed) by the CIA to concoct a reign...

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The world has lost an absolute legend, with Gene Hackman having passed away at the age of 95. The Oscar-winning actor was best known for his more dramatic performances, including those in classic films like "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven," among many others. That being said, Hackman did occasionally work on more comedic material, with "Young Frankenstein" ranking as another classic cut from that cloth. But perhaps his most famous comedic role came in 1996 with "The Birdcage."

In case you need a reminder (or are not familiar), "The Birdcage" stars Robin Williams as Armand, a gay Miami nightclub owner who pretends to be a straight man while hosting his very conservative future in-laws, including his future daughter-in-law Barbara (Calista Flockhart), at a meet-and-greet dinner party. Nathan Lane costars in the movie as Armand's drag-queen partner Albert, while Hackman plays Kevin Keeley,...

The hackneyed expression, "They don't make 'em like they used to," has lost its true meaning thanks to its repeated use. In reality, the expression was made for titans like the late great Gene Hackman, who recently died at 95 years old, along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The two-time Academy Award-winning actor was a one-of-one, the consummate professional with a palpable appreciation of cinema as an art form without an ounce of pretentiousness. Emerging in an era where prestigious actors needed to indulge in transformative method acting to immerse themselves in a role, Hackman differentiated each of his performances through subtle gestures and unshowy choices while always carrying over his stirring gravitas from film to film. Best known for playing gruff, menacing figures with morally gray complexities, Hackman's comedic turn in The Birdcage, a hilarious performance with dramatic intensity, highlights his unmatched versatility.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday his department is still waiting for final autopsy and toxicology reports on the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, but has a fair idea of when the Oscar winner actually died.

An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr. Hackman pacemaker,” the Sheriff said at a short press conference today. “This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025, I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed.”

Noting that getting final autopsy and toxicology reports “could take months,” Mendoza added that initial results seem to rule out carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of the deaths of the 95-year-old Hackman, the 63-year-old Arakawa and one of their dogs. Amidst some conflicting information over the past 48 hours, the Sheriff said “there were no apparent signs of foul play” in the Hackmans’ deaths.

Married since 1991 and notoriously private, Hackman and...

1996’s The Birdcage famously starred Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as a nightclub-owning gay couple forced to entertain their son’s girlfriend’s parents: who happen to be a far-right Republican Senator and his wife, played by Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest.

It certainly seemed progressive for the ‘90s, but in retrospect, the film does have its issues. Which isn’t too surprising, considering that it’s nearly 30 years old. But some of those problems may be explained by director Mike Nichols’ approach to the material.

The great Nathan Lane recently guested on Mike’s Birbiglia’s Working It Out podcast, and revealed that Nichols wasn’t always terribly sensitive when it came to matters concerning the community his film was ostensibly celebrating.

The script, penned by Nichols’ former comedy partner Elaine May, called for Lane, the only openly gay member of the film’s core cast, to use a...

There’s an indelible scene in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 masterwork, The Conversation, in which Gene Hackman’s reclusive surveillance expert, Harry Caul, visits his mistress Amy, played with aching vulnerability by Teri Garr. It’s the night of his birthday, and he arrives so late she’s almost given up on him.

She asks how old he is and then proceeds in a teasing, half-jokey way to pepper him with questions — where he lives, if he lives alone, what he does — that reveal how little she knows of this man she clearly loves and has been seeing for an unspecified length of time.

We feel Amy’s hunger to know him, just as we feel Harry’s wincing discomfort and paranoia as she gently pries information from him. “I don’t feel like answering any more questions,” he mutters, moving toward the apartment door and opening his wallet to...

On the Mount Rushmore of great American actors — specifically those who emerged in the late 1960s and brought a transformative, bone-deep intensity to their craft over the industry-redefining decade that followed — four faces loom large: Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman.

The eldest of that contingent, Hackman is less familiar to younger audiences than the others, having withdrawn from acting more than 20 years ago, to write and paint in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Over a four-decade screen career, the stage-trained star gravitated to complex movies for grown-up audiences (the only significant exception being his iconic turn as Lex Luthor in the “Superman” franchise), and might have been entirely forgotten by Gen Z if not for his performance as the gruff patriarch in Wes Anderson’s cult favorite “The Royal Tenenbaums.”

Hackman’s unexpected and unusual death (he was discovered alongside his wife and dog) offers a chance...

Gene Hackman, the legendary everyman actor who won two Oscars before stepping away from Hollywood in 2004, and Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M., home on Wednesday. Hackman was 95. Arakawa, whom he married in 1991, was 64.

While authorities did not suspect foul play, the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa have been ruled suspicious. A detective's affidavit stated that "an open prescription bottle scattered pills" were found on a bathroom counter near Arakawa's body. One of the couple’s dog, a German shepherd, was found dead in the bathroom closet, about 15 feet from Arakawa. Two other family dogs were found alive.

A maintenance worker discovered the bodies on Wednesday. Arakawa was found in the bathroom near a space heater. Her body showed signs of decomposition, per the detective report. Hackman's body, in a similar state, was found in the mud room appearing as if he had "suddenly fallen.

Gene Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman, and his granddaughter Annie said they are “devastated” after the two-time Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday. He was 95 and she was 64.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” the family told TheWrap in a Thursday statement. “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

As TheWrap previously reported, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office insists Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths are not suspicious despite multiple media reports regarding search warrants suggesting the contrary. The department states no foul play is suspected in the case, though the investigation in ongoing.

Out of all the iconic, impactful and pointed performances parodying politicians in the history of satirical filmmaking, the best one could only come from a personal enemy of President Richard M. Nixon.

This morning, officials in Santa Fe, New Mexico announced that they found film legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa deceased in their home after responding to a welfare check. While officials investigate the cause of the tragedy, the entire entertainment industry continues to produce many heartfelt eulogies and expressions of deep grief over the couple’s passing. In the wake of the solemn news, Hackman’s fans have begun to pore through his immense, legendary filmography for his greatest performances and medium-shaking moments as they post their own picks for Hackman’s top performances throughout his storied career.

But while the question of the “best” Gene Hackman performance has about a dozen correct answers, the superlative...

Two-time Oscar winner, Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95. The iconic actor was found dead at their Santa Fe, N.M. home alongside his 63-year-old classical pianist wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog.

Whilst not deemed suspicious, their deaths are currently being investigated.

Former Marine turned actor Hackman, who won two Oscars for his roles in 1971’s ‘The French Connection’ and 1992’s ‘Unforgiven’ made his mark in Hollywood with his role as Clyde Barrow’s explosive older brother in the 1967 film ‘Bonnie and Clyde,’ which brought him his first Oscar nomination in supporting actor. He also found himself with Oscar nominations for this roles as FBI Special Agent Rupert Anderson in ‘Mississippi Burning,’ Gene Garrison in Gil Cates’ ‘I Never Sang for My Father,’

Also in news – ‘Pink Floyd at Pompeii – McMlxxii’ to return to cinemas this spring

Having appeared in over 80 films his career spanned from the...

Gene Hackman’s life and legacy are being remembered by fellow Hollywood icons.

The two-time Oscar winner Hackman was found dead at age 95. His 63-year-old wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were deceased as well inside their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. While reports claimed there was “no immediate indication of foul play,” a cause of death was not provided at print.

Hackman’s breakout role was in 1967’s “Bonnie and Clyde.” He later went on to star in 1971’s “The French Connection” and Clint Eastwood’s 1992 feature “Unforgiven,” winning Academy Awards for both performances. Hackman led Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 film “The Conversation,” with other iconic turns in “Hoosiers,” “Mississippi Burning,” “The Firm,” “The Birdcage,” “Postcards from the Edge,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” and more. Read his full obituary here.

Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in “The Conversation,” remembered the late actor on Instagram.

“The loss of a great artist,...

After Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, his celebrity peers began honoring the two-time Oscar-winning actor’s life with touching tributes early Thursday morning.

Viola Davis wrote, “Loved you in everything! ‘The Conversation,’ ‘The French Connection,’ ‘The Poseidon Adventure,’ ‘Unforgiven’ — tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”

Francis Ford Coppola wrote, “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.”

Edgar Wright wrote, “The greatest…”

Josh Brolin wrote, “I am crushed by the sudden deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (and their dog). Crushed. He was always one of my favorites. Not many who beat to...

Numerous actors and filmmakers have paid tribute to award-winning actor Gene Hackman following his death at 95. The actor, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Feb. 26, adding an additional sense of tragedy to the loss. Francis Ford Coppola, Viola Davis, and Josh Brolin were among the notable people who honored Hackman and his prolific career.

Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in 1974’s noir thriller The Conversation, shared on Instagram, “The loss of a great artist, always cause...

Gene Hackman, the Academy Award-winning actor who starred in films including The French Connection, Crimson Tide and Superman, died Wednesday. He was 95.

Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, N.M., our sister site Variety reports.

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The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department has not provided a cause of death.

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed. A cause of death for the Oscar-winning actor, 95, and his wife, 64, was not revealed but Mendoza said no foul play was suspected.

An investigation into their deaths is ongoing. According to Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Womack-Avila, the couple was found dead at around 1:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday after a neighbor called in a welfare check, per Albuquerque’s KOB4.

Hackman and Arakawa, a classical pianist, married in 1991. Their dog was also found deceased.

An acting giant, Hackman was born in San Bernadino, California, and enlisted in the military at age 16, lying about his age to get in. He served over four years as a field operator in the Marines before pursuing acting in 1956 at the San Bernadino...

Unfortunately, we have to get the day started with some sad news today, as it has been reported that we’ve lost one of the great legends of cinema, Gene Hackman, at the age of 95. Hackman, his retired pianist wife, 63-year-old Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were all found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday afternoon. Yahoo reports that New Mexico police have said that the causes of death are under investigation, “but they do not believe foul play is a factor at this time.” Of course, there’s a lot of speculation going around that the cause of death may be carbon monoxide poisoning, but nothing has been confirmed as of right now.

Born on January 30, 1930 in San Bernadino, California, Eugene Allen Hackman did a lot of moving around in his younger years, but had already decided that he wanted to be an actor...

Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, Nathan Lane and more paid tribute to Gene Hackman after the Oscar-winning actor was found dead at 95 alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday.

“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,” wrote Coppola, who directed him in 1974’s “The Conversation,” on Instagram. “I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

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A post shared by Francis Ford Coppola (@francisfordcoppola)

Hackman starred in “The Conversation,” Coppola’s 1974 neo-noir mystery thriller, as Harry Caul, a surveillance expert who faces a moral dilemma when his recordings reveal a potential murder. The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d’Or, and received three Oscar nominations for best picture, original screenplay and sound.

Eastwood,...

Two time Oscar-winner Gene Hackman was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa at their home in Santa Fe, local police confirmed this morning.

The police have said they don’t believe “foul play was a factor in their deaths” but an investigation is ongoing.

Hackman turned 95 this year. The Hollywood legend was one of American cinema’s most trusted onscreen artists. He won Oscars for The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992) and was Oscar-nominated for roles in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).

Hackman was also celebrated for his portrayal of Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequel Superman II, with other credits including The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Scarecrow (1972), The Conversation (1974), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Under Fire (1983), Power (1986), Loose Cannons (1990), The Firm (1993), The Quick and the Dead (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Enemy of the State (1998), Behind Enemy Lines (2001), and Runaway Jury (2003).

He had not been in the...

Legendary actor Gene Hackman has been found dead in his Santa Fe home alongside wife and concert pianist Betsy Arakawa. No foul play is suspected.

Hollywood actor Gene Hackman has passed away at the age of 95. The actor and his wife, the pianist Betsy Arakawa, were both found dead at their Santa Fe home on the 26th February, County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed to local press. A cause of death wasn’t disclosed, though Mendoza added that foul play isn’t suspected.

Hackman was among the great American actors of his generation. Steadily building up his profile in the 50s and 60s with work on Broadway and smaller roles in TV and film, he caught wider attention with his terrific performance as Buck Barrow in Arthur Penn’s generation-defining Bonnie And Clyde in 1967. That turn earned him his first Oscar nomination – one of many such nods across his six-decade career.

Gene Hackman, the versatile leading man renowned for his smoldering performance as hard-nosed New York City narc Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection, has died. He was 95.

The much-admired two-time Oscar winner and his second wife, Betsy Hackman, 64, were found dead Wednesday at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They had lived in a gated community northeast of the city since the 1980s.

In a statement to the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said, “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.” One of their three dogs also died.

A search warrant ruled that the deaths were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”

His daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter Annie noted in a statement that Hackman was “loved and admired by millions around...

Following the tragic death of Michelle Trachtenberg on Wednesday, Hollywood was rocked again by the news that legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were both found dead at their home in Santa Fe with their dog. The terrible news shared by the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the news that the couple had been discovered just after midnight on Thursday morning, although they could not reveal a cause of death at the time.

In a statement shared by the Sheriff’s Office said, "We do not believe foul play was a factor in their deaths. However, exact cause of death has not been determined at this time."

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Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead at their home in the US, according to local law enforcement.

Hackman was 95 and his wife was 63. No cause of death has been given but there was no indication of foul play.

A statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff in New Mexico said: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.

“This is an active investigation - however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”

Santa Fe...

Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe, Nm.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed just after midnight Thursday local time that the couple had died, along with one of their dogs.

A statement from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office read: “On February 26, 2025 at approximately 1:45 p.m., Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95 and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased.

“Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time however exact cause of death has not been determined. This is an active and ongoing investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.”

Related: 2025 Deaths Photo Gallery: Hollywood & Media Obituaries

Deputies were responding to a welfare check at the home after a neighbor called authorities,...

Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner for “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead Wednesday afternoon in their Santa Fe, N.M. home. The office of Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed their deaths to Variety after midnight Thursday. There is no immediate indication of foul play, per authorities, though the Sheriff’s office did not immediately provide a cause of death. Hackman was 95. Arakawa was 63.

On Wednesday, Sheriff’s deputies visited the home of Hackman and Arakawa, who married in 1991. The couple was found dead, alongside their dog.

“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” the sheriff told the Santa Fe New Mexican. The statement came before authorities had positively identified the pair, per the publication. “I want to assure the community and neighborhood...

Many directors are known for shooting a lot of takes. David Fincher's penchant for multiple takes led to a lot of demanding days on the "Mindhunter" set, while Stanley Kubrick's exhausting methods are infamous, such as when he made Tom Cruise walk through a door 95 times on the set of "Eyes Wide Shut." The question of whether the effort involved in this approach actually yields better results than something like Clint Eastwood's commitment to using the very first take remains unanswered at this point. But sometimes, shooting take after take results in something undeniably great. Case in point: one of Al Pacino's most memorable lines in Michael Mann's "Heat."

The 1995 crime thriller remains a touchstone of the genre, and not just because it finally saw Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro share a scene and featured one of the best gun fights ever put to screen.

"Tombstone," from 1993, is the Wyatt Earp movie most people remember from the '90s, but it's hardly the only star-studded spectacle about the legendary marshal. A year later, "Wyatt Earp" came out, reuniting actor Kevin Costner with filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan, the director who first made him a charismatic cowboy in 1985's "Silverado." A love of the old west clearly stuck with Costner, who made his directorial debut with "Dances With Wolves," an epic about a Union Army Lieutenant (Costner) who goes native. If you haven't seen it, you've probably at least heard the plot of "Avatar" compared (unfavorably) to it. It won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and another for Costner as Best Director.

Covering more of Earp's life than just the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral, "Wyatt Earp" came loaded with actors both familiar and new, as one would expect of an old Hollywood epic biopic. It...

The '90s brought audiences numerous great movies. Many of these films were colossal box-office hits that audiences went to see repeatedly. From Dick Tracy to The Birdcage to Edward Scissorhands, these popular '90s movies were well-received upon their release, but never received the sequel they deserved.

Whether the movies' endings were open for a sequel or not, there are still plenty of opportunities to continue these stories. Recent releases like Top Gun: Maverick,Twisters, and Blade Runner 2049 have proved that audiences are interested in high-quality legacy sequels. Nostalgia and an updated story can bring original fans and newcomers alike to the theater for these '90s film sequels.

Small Soldiers Needs More Story

In Small Soldiers, mayhem ensues when a top defense contractor acquires a toy company, and one of their toy designers unwittingly installs a Defense Department microprocessor into the toys. As a result, two specific...

“The Birdcage” could have starred Billy Crystal or Robert Redford, Nathan Lane revealed on Tuesday’s episode of Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s “Dinner’s On Me” podcast.

Lane, who played Albert Goldman in the 1996 comedy with Robin Williams as his husband, Armand Goldman, shared the story about director Mike Nichols.

“I would run into Mike, and he would say, ‘Oh, maybe Robin was not gonna do it. ‘What do you think of Billy Crystal?'” Lane recalled.

On another occasion Nichols simply dropped Redford’s name at a benefit event. “I said, ‘What about him? Is he here?,” Lane told Ferguson. “As your husband,” Nichols explained. “I said, well, if you can work that, all my dreams will be coming true — joking. You know, all very interesting ideas, but fortunately Robin agreed to do it.”

Lane fondly reminisced about the late comedian, who died in 2014. While Lane was first signed onto the project,...

It’s been over a decade since the tragic death of Robin Williams, but he continues to be remembered by those who loved him, including Nathan Lane. The pair starred together in The Birdcage, and Lane credits Williams for helping him get cast in the movie, although he was largely unknown at the time.

In The Birdcage, Lane and Williams played a gay couple whose son is set to marry the daughter of a conservative senator, and they reluctantly agree to masquerade as straight to avoid a scandal. While speaking on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast Dinner’s On Me, Lane said that director Mike Nichols was considering bigger names for Lane’s role, including Billy Crystal or Robert Redford, but Williams fought for him.

“He was a movie star. You know, he could have said, ‘I want Billy Crystal,’ or another big movie name to do the film,” Lane said.

Robin Williams is best known for his film comedies, such as Mrs. Doubtfire and Aladdin, but when asked about his own prized performances, Williams leaned toward more dramatic work. Forget Mork & Mindy – here are six roles that the comic named as his favorites, as reported by Far Out…

1 Dead Poets Society

According to the Williams biography, Robin, Dead Poets Society was originally slated to be directed by Jeff Kanew, the auteur behind Revenge of the Nerds. Williams didn’t see the story as a comedy and wouldn’t commit until Peter Weir signed on to direct. Williams identified with the story’s plot about a young man who dreams of becoming an actor but is opposed by a stern father who wants him to be more responsible. “It talks about something of the heart and of pursuing that which is a dream — and in some cases, to a tragic end,...

When it comes to sunshine, tans, and crystal-clear waters, it's hard to beat Florida. With consistently warm weather, vibrant colors, and a bustling nightlife, the Sunshine State -- particularly Miami -- offers plenty to admire. It remains a top destination for beachgoers looking to unwind and soak up the laid-back atmosphere.

Hollywood has long taken notice of Florida's exemplary conditions, consistently using the state's magnetic glow as a backdrop for countless films. Many of these movies have achieved monumental success. But what are the 10 best movies set in the state? We're glad you asked! We've compiled a list of our favorite films that not only take place in Florida but often make the state a central figure in the story.

Keep in mind, these aren't just movies shot in Florida, like, say, Harold Ramis' "Caddyshack." Each film on this list is set in or around the Sunshine State, using its...