in full Eugene Alden Hackman
born Jan. 30, 1930, San Bernardino, Calif., U.S.
U.S. film actor.
He won a leading role on Broadway in Any Wednesday (1964), which led to his film debut in Lilith (1964). He was praised for his performances in Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and he attained star status in The French Connection (1971, Academy Award). Hackman was noted for his emotionally honest and natural portrayals of ordinary men. He won further acclaim for The Conversation (1974), Mississippi Burning (1988), and Unforgiven (1992, Academy Award). Among his other films are Superman (1978) and its sequels (1980, 1987).