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Gene Hackman practically begged Mel Brooks for a cameo, slipped in as the blind hermit for a single day’s shoot, and left convinced he’d botched it — only to deliver one of the film’s most unforgettable laughs.

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Gene Hackman in Young Frankenstein (1974) Gene was tennis partners with Gene Wilder. After hearing Wilder was making a Mel Brooks comedy, Hackman asked if he could have a role. He was offered the blind hermit which thrilled Brooks. He nailed it, even ad-libbing the espresso line.

Gene Hackman in Young Frankenstein (1974) Gene was tennis partners with Gene Wilder. After hearing Wilder was making a Mel Brooks comedy, Hackman asked if he could have a role. He was offered the blind hermit which thrilled Brooks. He nailed it, even ad-libbing the espresso line.

The Sting

778,312 views • 1 year ago

Gene Wilder’s only disagreement with Mel Brooks during Young Frankenstein (1974) was over the “Puttin’ On The Ritz” scene. Brooks didn’t think it would work, but Wilder fought for it and it became one of the funniest scenes in movie history.

Gene Wilder’s only disagreement with Mel Brooks during Young Frankenstein (1974) was over the “Puttin’ On The Ritz” scene. Brooks didn’t think it would work, but Wilder fought for it and it became one of the funniest scenes in movie history.

cinesthetic.

1,490,702 views • 9 months ago

RIP to Robert Duvall, who appeared uncredited for just a few seconds on a swing in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), a quiet cameo he did as a favor to director Philip Kaufman, yet it became one of the film’s most haunting images.

RIP to Robert Duvall, who appeared uncredited for just a few seconds on a swing in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), a quiet cameo he did as a favor to director Philip Kaufman, yet it became one of the film’s most haunting images.

cinesthetic.

592,433 views • 5 months ago

Gene Wilder’s only real clash with Mel Brooks on Young Frankenstein (1974) was over “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” a scene Wilder wrote himself. Brooks’ test was simple: if Wilder fought for it, it stayed. He did. Cinema got one of its funniest moments.

Gene Wilder’s only real clash with Mel Brooks on Young Frankenstein (1974) was over “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” a scene Wilder wrote himself. Brooks’ test was simple: if Wilder fought for it, it stayed. He did. Cinema got one of its funniest moments.

Emir Han

35,906 views • 5 months ago

CELEBRATING GENE HACKMAN • Now playing on the Criterion Channel ❤️ Perhaps no actor embodied the pervasive anxiety and unsettling moral ambiguity of the New Hollywood era as fully as Gene Hackman—one of the most respected veterans of his generation and a consummate character craftsman who could bridge the fallible and the heroic with unmatched authenticity.

CELEBRATING GENE HACKMAN • Now playing on the Criterion Channel ❤️ Perhaps no actor embodied the pervasive anxiety and unsettling moral ambiguity of the New Hollywood era as fully as Gene Hackman—one of the most respected veterans of his generation and a consummate character craftsman who could bridge the fallible and the heroic with unmatched authenticity.

Criterion Collection

28,316 views • 1 year ago

Gene Hackman has passed away at 95 A Legend and an Icon, Gene was one of the most powerful actors to ever grace the screen. You didn't mess with Hackman. I can't tell you how devastated I am by his passing. This one's hit me hard. RIP Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman has passed away at 95 A Legend and an Icon, Gene was one of the most powerful actors to ever grace the screen. You didn't mess with Hackman. I can't tell you how devastated I am by his passing. This one's hit me hard. RIP Gene Hackman

The Sting

1,626,313 views • 1 year ago

So saddened to learn that Gene Hackman passed away along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Broadway actor, novelist, and two-time Academy Award winner, Gene Hackman will be remembered as one of the all-time greats. He starred in some of the most memorable movies of the past half century including THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, THE CONVERSATION, SUPERMAN, HOOSIERS, NO WAY OUT, BAT 21, MISSISSIPPI BURNING, THE PACKAGE, UNFORGIVEN, THE FIRM, CRIMSON TIDE, THE REPLACEMENTS, and one of the most influential movies of my childhood, UNCOMMON VALOR. My deepest condolences to all who knew Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa and to the generations of film fans mourning the loss of a true legend. Rest in Peace. Gene Hackman January 30, 1930 – February 26, 2025

So saddened to learn that Gene Hackman passed away along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Broadway actor, novelist, and two-time Academy Award winner, Gene Hackman will be remembered as one of the all-time greats. He starred in some of the most memorable movies of the past half century including THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, THE CONVERSATION, SUPERMAN, HOOSIERS, NO WAY OUT, BAT 21, MISSISSIPPI BURNING, THE PACKAGE, UNFORGIVEN, THE FIRM, CRIMSON TIDE, THE REPLACEMENTS, and one of the most influential movies of my childhood, UNCOMMON VALOR. My deepest condolences to all who knew Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa and to the generations of film fans mourning the loss of a true legend. Rest in Peace. Gene Hackman January 30, 1930 – February 26, 2025

Jack Carr

91,380 views • 1 year ago

Gene Hackman almost rejected starring in Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven" (1992). His role in "Mississippi Burning" (1988) played a huge part in his initial reluctance to appear in "Unforgiven". Hackman acquired the 50% rights for Thomas Harris's novel- "The Silence of the Lambs", with Orion Pictures owning the other half despite the disappointment of Michael Mann's "Manhunter" (1986). Hackman was intrigued by the book & wanted to direct the picture. He was also mulling over the possibility of playing Hannibal Lecter. He said, "It's one of the most cinematic books I've ever read. As I read it, the movie was clicking in my mind." When Screenwriter Ted Tally was a third of the way through the script, he got the news that Hackman was off the project. Empire Magazine suggested this was in part due to "Mississippi Burning", (1988) which was considered a dark and v!o|ent film. Doing two grisly thrillers in a row may have been a risk to the upward trajectory Hackman's career was on, especially since his involvement wasn't just as a performer. Years later, a much simpler explanation was revealed to Deadline. "Daddy, you're not making this movie" Hackman's daughter reportedly told him after reading the book herself. Hackman relayed the story to his contact at Orion and was offered to be bought out of the rest of his half and thus the studio would own it outright. One version for the rejection stated that when Hackman was at the 1989 Oscars where he was nominated for Best Actor for his role in “Mississippi Burning”. Gene Hackman decided that he would no longer make v!o|ent films after seeing a brief, clip of his performance in this film (taken out of context, in his eyes). When Hackman was offered the part as the Sheriff in "Unforgiven" (1992), he was initially reluctant to accept it for the same reason. Screenwriter David Webb Peoples said, "Gene’s daughters didn’t like all the v!0lent movies he was doing. He was at a stage in his career where his family was more important than his work." However, Clint Eastwood explained to Hackman that while 'Unforgiven' was definitely a v!o|ent film, it didn’t glorify or glamourize it. Instead, it was used as the manifestation of humanity’s worst impulses and instincts. He then accepted the role. Hackman later said, "“I swore I would never be involved in a picture with this much v!o|ent in it, but the more I read it, the more I came to understand the purpose of the film, the more fascinated I became.” Gene Hackman gave one of his finest performances & went on to win an Oscar for it. (Sources: "Gene Hackman Almost Directed and Starred in 'The Silence of the Lambs', Danny Cox, Collider, 2023, "“That’s attractive to actors”: the director Gene Hackman said was “totally in charge”", Scott Campbell, Farout Magazine, 2024, "How Clint Eastwood convinced Gene Hackman to break a promise and win an Oscar", Scott Campbell, Farout Magazine, 2024, "How Gene Hackman Almost Brought ‘Silence of the Lambs’ to the Silver Screen", Damon Martin, Rewind of the Living Dead, 2025 & IMDb)

Gene Hackman almost rejected starring in Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven" (1992). His role in "Mississippi Burning" (1988) played a huge part in his initial reluctance to appear in "Unforgiven". Hackman acquired the 50% rights for Thomas Harris's novel- "The Silence of the Lambs", with Orion Pictures owning the other half despite the disappointment of Michael Mann's "Manhunter" (1986). Hackman was intrigued by the book & wanted to direct the picture. He was also mulling over the possibility of playing Hannibal Lecter. He said, "It's one of the most cinematic books I've ever read. As I read it, the movie was clicking in my mind." When Screenwriter Ted Tally was a third of the way through the script, he got the news that Hackman was off the project. Empire Magazine suggested this was in part due to "Mississippi Burning", (1988) which was considered a dark and v!o|ent film. Doing two grisly thrillers in a row may have been a risk to the upward trajectory Hackman's career was on, especially since his involvement wasn't just as a performer. Years later, a much simpler explanation was revealed to Deadline. "Daddy, you're not making this movie" Hackman's daughter reportedly told him after reading the book herself. Hackman relayed the story to his contact at Orion and was offered to be bought out of the rest of his half and thus the studio would own it outright. One version for the rejection stated that when Hackman was at the 1989 Oscars where he was nominated for Best Actor for his role in “Mississippi Burning”. Gene Hackman decided that he would no longer make v!o|ent films after seeing a brief, clip of his performance in this film (taken out of context, in his eyes). When Hackman was offered the part as the Sheriff in "Unforgiven" (1992), he was initially reluctant to accept it for the same reason. Screenwriter David Webb Peoples said, "Gene’s daughters didn’t like all the v!0lent movies he was doing. He was at a stage in his career where his family was more important than his work." However, Clint Eastwood explained to Hackman that while 'Unforgiven' was definitely a v!o|ent film, it didn’t glorify or glamourize it. Instead, it was used as the manifestation of humanity’s worst impulses and instincts. He then accepted the role. Hackman later said, "“I swore I would never be involved in a picture with this much v!o|ent in it, but the more I read it, the more I came to understand the purpose of the film, the more fascinated I became.” Gene Hackman gave one of his finest performances & went on to win an Oscar for it. (Sources: "Gene Hackman Almost Directed and Starred in 'The Silence of the Lambs', Danny Cox, Collider, 2023, "“That’s attractive to actors”: the director Gene Hackman said was “totally in charge”", Scott Campbell, Farout Magazine, 2024, "How Clint Eastwood convinced Gene Hackman to break a promise and win an Oscar", Scott Campbell, Farout Magazine, 2024, "How Gene Hackman Almost Brought ‘Silence of the Lambs’ to the Silver Screen", Damon Martin, Rewind of the Living Dead, 2025 & IMDb)

DepressedBergman

127,728 views • 17 days ago

Bear Grylls was stung after a jellyfish slipped from his hands and quickly claimed the cure required urine. Conveniently unable to help himself, Grylls was assisted by his guest, Mel B. It instantly became one of the show’s most unforgettable scenes.

Bear Grylls was stung after a jellyfish slipped from his hands and quickly claimed the cure required urine. Conveniently unable to help himself, Grylls was assisted by his guest, Mel B. It instantly became one of the show’s most unforgettable scenes.

Mike Sonko

22,966 views • 6 months ago

Brad Pitt agreed to appear in The Lost City (2022) as a favor to Sandra Bullock after she made a cameo in Bullet Train (2022). Even with limited screen time, Pitt ended up delivering some of the film’s biggest laughs.

Brad Pitt agreed to appear in The Lost City (2022) as a favor to Sandra Bullock after she made a cameo in Bullet Train (2022). Even with limited screen time, Pitt ended up delivering some of the film’s biggest laughs.

cinesthetic.

1,978,979 views • 2 months ago

The only way we can treat healthcare as a right and deliver it to every Californian is single-payer. No one should have to forego treatment because they can’t pay for it.

The only way we can treat healthcare as a right and deliver it to every Californian is single-payer. No one should have to forego treatment because they can’t pay for it.

Tom Steyer

12,246 views • 3 months ago

Happy 100th birthday Mel Brooks! A centenary of laughs. The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety and many, many more. Thanks for the inspiration and endless joy.

Happy 100th birthday Mel Brooks! A centenary of laughs. The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety and many, many more. Thanks for the inspiration and endless joy.

edgarwright

53,968 views • 1 month ago

The Graduate was released OTD in 1967. Dustin Hoffman was cast as Leo Bloom in The Producers. He begged Mel Brooks to free him so he could make The Graduate. 'Under one condition,' said Brooks. 'Don't fool around with my wife.' (Anne Bancroft). And history was made, for everyone.

The Graduate was released OTD in 1967. Dustin Hoffman was cast as Leo Bloom in The Producers. He begged Mel Brooks to free him so he could make The Graduate. 'Under one condition,' said Brooks. 'Don't fool around with my wife.' (Anne Bancroft). And history was made, for everyone.

The Sting

45,160 views • 1 year ago

Gene Hackman is so damn relentless in Mississippi Burning. The shit-eating grin on this guy’s face for 2.5 hours is unforgettable. Hackman earned himself an #Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his performance here- which is undoubtedly one of his best. You should see this movie.

Gene Hackman is so damn relentless in Mississippi Burning. The shit-eating grin on this guy’s face for 2.5 hours is unforgettable. Hackman earned himself an #Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his performance here- which is undoubtedly one of his best. You should see this movie.

Cinema Tweets

337,421 views • 5 months ago

After the release of "The Producers" (1967), Mel Brooks got lots of letters from almost every Rabbi in New York condemning the movie [for its depiction of Hitler] & asking him to think twice before making a movie like it again. Brooks wrote back to every single Rabbi explaining, "You can't get on a soap box with Hitler. You've got to ridicule him. You got to bring him down with laughter. There is no way to get even." He wrote to make them understand the real intent behind the "Springtime for Hitler" scene. And he got a few letters back saying, "Maybe you're right, you know? It was OK." (Mel Brooks' interview with Conan O'Brien, 2013 & "Mel Brooks says his only regret as a comedian is the jokes he didn't tell", Terry Gross, 2022)

After the release of "The Producers" (1967), Mel Brooks got lots of letters from almost every Rabbi in New York condemning the movie [for its depiction of Hitler] & asking him to think twice before making a movie like it again. Brooks wrote back to every single Rabbi explaining, "You can't get on a soap box with Hitler. You've got to ridicule him. You got to bring him down with laughter. There is no way to get even." He wrote to make them understand the real intent behind the "Springtime for Hitler" scene. And he got a few letters back saying, "Maybe you're right, you know? It was OK." (Mel Brooks' interview with Conan O'Brien, 2013 & "Mel Brooks says his only regret as a comedian is the jokes he didn't tell", Terry Gross, 2022)

DepressedBergman

725,900 views • 1 month ago

Brad Pitt joined THE LOST CITY (2022) as a favor to Sandra Bullock after she made a cameo in BULLET TRAIN (2022). He was only on screen for a few minutes, yet still walked away with some of the film’s funniest moments.

Brad Pitt joined THE LOST CITY (2022) as a favor to Sandra Bullock after she made a cameo in BULLET TRAIN (2022). He was only on screen for a few minutes, yet still walked away with some of the film’s funniest moments.

cinesthetic.

84,127 views • 17 days ago

Evening viewing recommendation? On the Criterion Channel, watch SCARECROW (1973). Unforgettable performances from Gene Hackman and Al Pacino, the sensitive direction of Jerry Schatzberg, and the glowing landscape cinematography of Vilmos Zsigmond come together for one of the defining road movies of the 1970s.

Evening viewing recommendation? On the Criterion Channel, watch SCARECROW (1973). Unforgettable performances from Gene Hackman and Al Pacino, the sensitive direction of Jerry Schatzberg, and the glowing landscape cinematography of Vilmos Zsigmond come together for one of the defining road movies of the 1970s.

Criterion Collection

26,397 views • 1 year ago

In Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), Elton John makes a hilarious cameo as himself, unexpectedly becoming an action hero and even using his flamboyant style and piano skills to fight off villains, turning the surprise appearance into one of the film’s most memorable moments.

In Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), Elton John makes a hilarious cameo as himself, unexpectedly becoming an action hero and even using his flamboyant style and piano skills to fight off villains, turning the surprise appearance into one of the film’s most memorable moments.

Every Movie Plug

54,180 views • 6 months ago

William Friedkin was a fearless director. His filmography absolutely holds up as well as anyone’s, including and especially The French Connection. Gene Hackman & Friedkin were a match made in heaven. They gave us one of the most memorable chase sequences in film history together.

William Friedkin was a fearless director. His filmography absolutely holds up as well as anyone’s, including and especially The French Connection. Gene Hackman & Friedkin were a match made in heaven. They gave us one of the most memorable chase sequences in film history together.

Cinema Tweets

30,166 views • 7 months ago

While filming this crucial scene in "No Way Out" (1987), Kevin Costner had disagreement with the director on staging of the scene & how Gene Hackman's character reacts to Costner's character. Costner was pissed when things didn't go as he had hoped. When the director asked what Gene Hackman should do, Costner replied, "Gene can do whatever he wants, it's up to Gene what he wants to do." After the shoot for the day ended, Gene Hackman met Costner in the parking lot & asked if he could talk to him. Costner feared that Hackman was going to say, "if you ever do that to another f**ing director in front of me again, I'll ki!! you." Instead Hackman said, "I watched you today and I have been through a divorce and for three years, I've been doing a lot of shitty movies and I've been trying to pay for this divorce. I kind of didn't feel about acting the way I felt for a long time. I watched you today & [I remembered] I used to feel like that. I was really happy to see you do that." He then drove off. Costner considers this conversation with Gene Hackman an important moment in his life. ["Kevin Costner on Working with Gene Hackman | Conversations at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation", 2025]

While filming this crucial scene in "No Way Out" (1987), Kevin Costner had disagreement with the director on staging of the scene & how Gene Hackman's character reacts to Costner's character. Costner was pissed when things didn't go as he had hoped. When the director asked what Gene Hackman should do, Costner replied, "Gene can do whatever he wants, it's up to Gene what he wants to do." After the shoot for the day ended, Gene Hackman met Costner in the parking lot & asked if he could talk to him. Costner feared that Hackman was going to say, "if you ever do that to another f**ing director in front of me again, I'll ki!! you." Instead Hackman said, "I watched you today and I have been through a divorce and for three years, I've been doing a lot of shitty movies and I've been trying to pay for this divorce. I kind of didn't feel about acting the way I felt for a long time. I watched you today & [I remembered] I used to feel like that. I was really happy to see you do that." He then drove off. Costner considers this conversation with Gene Hackman an important moment in his life. ["Kevin Costner on Working with Gene Hackman | Conversations at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation", 2025]

DepressedBergman

811,069 views • 2 months ago