Kevin Costner praises Gene Hackman as he pays tribute with old interview: 'Lucky enough to work with him'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner remembered Gene Hackman after his shock death.

The 70-year-old actor worked with the icon in the 1987 film ‘No Way Out’. They also starred together in the 1994 movie ‘Wyatt Earp’.

Costner shared an old clip of an interview with Rich Eisen on his Instagram as he wrote, “Gene Hackman was my favorite actor, and I was lucky enough to work with him more than once.”

Kevin Costner remembers poignant moment with Gene Hackman

Noting the late Oscar winner’s greatness, he stated, “Sharing a story that I told years ago with @richeisen—a moment with Gene that showed me that his generosity and vulnerability ran even deeper than his well of talent.”

“This moment was probably small for him, but really huge for me. As an actor, a man, and even a director. My heart is with Gene, his wife, and his family today. I’m lucky to have gotten to learn from him in this life,” the ‘Yellowstone’ star added in the caption.

The shared footage showed Costner telling Eisen in 2017, as per Vulture, “The line’s long for the great actors I’ve been able to work with,” Costner said. “It really is. But I would say that Gene is the best actor I’ve ever worked with.”

Kevin Costner said Gene Hackman praised him for his courage

In the same interview, the ‘Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1’ actor also recalled a heated exchange he had with the ‘No Way Out’ director, Roger Donaldson.

Costner was later approached by Hackman and he thought the ‘Unforgiven’ star would scold him.

But to his surprise, Hackman told him, “He looked at me and said, ‘Hey, I went through a divorce, I’ve been doing a lot of questionable movies lately and when I saw you fighting for what you wanted today, it reminded me of how I used to feel about acting.”

“‘It was good what you did.’ And he just got in his car and drove off,” Costner added.

Gene Hackman’s death called ‘suspicious’

Gene Hackman was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog on Wednesday, February 26, at their home in New Mexico.

The unexpected deaths are currently under investigation after it was deemed “suspicious.”

“The death of the two deceased individuals [is] suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened,” a search warrant states.

Netizens call Gene Hackman ‘a legend in the business’

Meanwhile, many fans commented below Kevin Costner’s video with one saying, “You say it best Kevin. Just 🔥. I’m sad the world lost a legend today.”

Another fan commented, “Gene Hackman was an amazing actor. It’s heartbreaking how their lives ended.”

“I loved Gene Hackman and his acting was legendary, he was so great! May he and his wife RIP,” the third one said.

A comment read, “I remember this conversation from years past in it's such a beautiful story and the way he delivers it in the short time frame was spectacular RIP Gene Hackman😢 💔🙏 he will be certainly missed a fine actor husband and gone too soon.”

Another comment read, “Loved you in No Way Out with him. He was a legend in the business and I’m so happy you were able to work with him when you were starting out. I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers and condolences for everyone who knew and loved Mr Hackman and his wife.”

“Incredible story and tribute to a great actor,” a user added.

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