Gene Hackman Wins Best Actor: 1972 Oscars

Liza Minelli presenting Gene Hackman with the Oscar® for Best Actor for his performance in "The French Connection" at the 44th Academy Awards® in 1972.

[@johnphillips342]

A very humble speech. A brilliant actor. A brilliant film. A brilliant decade for cinema. Class.

[@cnfuzz]

And he would even surpass himself, Popeye Doyle in french connection 2

[@tiffsaver]

Hackman was great then, and he's great now. What an actor.

[@46metube]

his films from the seventies are some of my all time favs. the guy was a gem to watch. remember Scarecrow?

[@marcdevibray8242]

For me he was one of the best american actors of this decade with Dustin Hoffman, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson.

[@Strangleholdintn]

SMOOCH@@marcdevibray8242

[@marcdevibray8242]

@@46metube I love Scarecrow, i only discover this movie some monthes ago

[@46metube]

@@marcdevibray8242 check out Night Moves.

[@Starkardur]

Liza Minnelli seemed more excited about Gene's win than her own a year later

[@KingMe725]

Maybe because she knew Diana Ross should have won 😂

[@bobrossfella7600]

@Balão Vermelho hahahahaha....and what's liza? Aside from that sole performance in 72, she was also trash.

[@richardhowe5583]

Liza was on the nose powder..

[@Starkardur]

​@@KingMe725 Lady Sings the Blues is a B-movie at best.

[@robertosucci1151]

Underrated commenr

[@DrCrabfingers]

Gene Hackman is one of the finest actors I've ever seen....truly believable in every role he ever played.

[@LukeMaynard]

He has dominated the screen so many times with his ferocious bark of a voice that it's powerful and surprising to hear how gentle his natural speaking voice is. An incredible performer.

[@WayneInSF]

Trivia: Hackman had just started filming "The Poseidon Adventure" when he won this Oscar. In celebration, Shelley Winters, Jack Albertson, Red Buttons, Irwin Allen, and several crew members brought their Oscars to the set the next day and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

[@jkardez4794]

Unbelievable that he mentioned Friedkin after all the bitter fights and arguments they had during the making of the film . Very gracious indeed.

[@w.harrison7277]

I remember seeing the Poseidon Adventure when I was a 12 year old boy in Denver and I was so awestruck by that film. Wheww! I was completely absorbed in every character and to this day I'm a little afraid of large ships. Never been on a cruise in my life.

[@mhaze210]

WELL deserved. What a classic NYC film. It is a time capsule of how gritty and raw NYC streets once was.

[@eazyezwife2898]

Mark Hazleton Yeah, I think it was definitely the 70's and early 80's NYC was bad. bad, bad. It looks nice now. Don't know about the crime rate though-it seems better from TV reports.

[@RollingOrmond]

+eazyezwife It's just basically Epcot now. Sanitized and boring.

[@scottm8579]

Today you have to get it from cable tv.

[@danielgrimes8312]

I love that, just a few movies are a time capsule about streets of new york , the warriors and crusing 1980

[@temporarymomentary]

@@RollingOrmondBoring? NYC is never boring. It's super safe now.

[@godstomper]

French connection is a great film.

[@LittleB2007]

Yes it was!! The train vs car chase sequence is one of the best in cinema history. It's a pity that the sequel was a total garbage

[@mirazusta2002]

@@LittleB2007 I don't think "The French Connection II" was a bad film. What happens is that the original "The French Connection" set the bar far too high for any sequel to live up to expectations. Other than that, I saw the second film not long ago, and I thought it was actually a pretty decent thriller. Of course, the original defies comparison.

[@temporarymomentary]

It's an incredible movie. That subway chase scene blows my mind to this day.

[@carrrexx7190]

Thank you Captain Obvious. Please note next week we will be showing, Gone with the Wind, hope you can attend nitz.

[@carrrexx7190]

@@LittleB2007 that's what your wife said, Your sequel was total garbage. 😂

[@edkeaton1085]

It was great to see Gene Hackman win his first Academy Award for Best Actor for "The French Connection" (1971) which is one of my all-time favorite of his films.

[@Bluzian74]

Oh, it's a great one? Did you like him in Night Moves?

[@frankdenardo8684]

@@Bluzian74 Has a great car chase scene.

[@edkeaton]

@@Bluzian74 I have heard of that film, but I don't think that I have seen it.

[@edkeaton]

@@frankdenardo8684 That car chase scene was epic! One of the best in cinema history!

[@frankdenardo8684]

@@edkeaton Put that on your bucket list of movies to watch. Based on an actual case of a heroin smuggling ring that operated in the French Riviera. The actual city was Marseilles.

[@eazyezwife2898]

So soft spoken and so brilliant.

[@LucasSouza-we1ze]

One of the best movies he's ever done, simply deserved the Oscar. I really miss Gene, but for me, it will always be an actor no matter if he has already retired

[@michaelcapeless3268]

What a class act Gene Hackman is. One of the best American actors.

[@jamesdavis6036]

Every great actor has one great movie never duplicated again. Orson Welles had "Citizen Kane". Charlton Heston had "Ben Hur Story of the Christ". Russel Crowe had "Gladiator". George C. Scott had "Patton". Gene Hackman had "The French Connection". A friggin classic!!!

[@viralbuthow000]

Acting genius. He can play a tough guy and a wimp (Get Shorty) and do both convincingly. Amazing gift.

[@gj8683]

And he does comedy as well. His scene in Young Frankenstein is hysterical: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYmqq4Jolql3iLc

[@joliecide]

His acting in Birdcage was gold.

[@byronvaughan5606]

"The Conversation", another wonderful film he starred in (along with John Casale).

[@BarstoolBlues33]

Great and absurdly underappreciated actor.

[@yosefdemby8792]

Obviously not, onsidering he won two Oscars.

[@alex90909]

@@yosefdemby8792 yess

[@byronvaughan5606]

not sure he was unappreciated. he had a long, successful career. a "movie star"?, perhaps not. an accomplished, professional actor?, definitely.

[@jimjones4838]

loved gene in the firm, unforgiven, absolute power, narrow margin

[@jonasseorum5471]

@@yosefdemby8792 under appreciated by the public.

[@Ramoa111]

l watched French Connection in 2013 and turned a total GH fan ever since. Forget Superman or Unforgiven or whatever else. One of my favorite badasses ever!

[@cjh661]

He was also great in The Hoosiers

[@ct3504]

"Forget Superman"? You suck LOL

[@yamancerin4200]

@@ct3504 Superman 1978 is overated as fuck.

[@byronvaughan5606]

The Conversation, set in San Francisco.

[@Largentina.]

@@ct3504 He sucks for having different opinions than you? What are you, 11?

[@LaRay82]

So emotional. Prodigious talent, great guy.

[@carla]

He was so so handsome in that time..

[@eazyezwife2898]

He was sexy in Superman II.

[@jg29thewinneris77]

This is one of my favourite Oscar clips for so many reasons. Liza Minelli's engaging but spaced out presentation - an unforgettable snapshot of American showbiz in the 70s and of the actress herself as a person. Gene Hackman - so cool and casual when starting his speech, like this was just an everyday thing to him (probably not surprising since he had been receiving major awards all year for his performance). Then he starts to break down and it's clear he won't finish the speech. The band playing behind Hackman as he steps up to receive his award. They have that theme nailed. The theme itself, composed by Don Ellis, who died in 1978 and should have got an Academy Award. If you watch the film you can hear that it's based on the 6-note sound motif made by the tool used to finally reveal the whereabouts of the drugs.

[@kipkunkle4667]

very interesting indeed!

[@LeadershipAlliance]

jg29 thewinneris Wow… Absolutely brilliant analysis; thank you. Hits the mark on multiple levels.

[@zeloft]

well said

[@andrewbrendan1579]

I'm pleased to give your comment its 100th thumbs-up.

[@gemmab8626]

Oh 🤩 thank you!! Loved reading this comment.

[@naomig2134]

I met Gene just before Corona... We spoke for ten minutes... A wonderful man!

[@a.koepke3523]

Totally deserved win, I also find it very respectful and nice that he thanks Roy Scheider, what a great and decent actor. Thanks Gene Hackman

[@drstrangelove6558]

Hackman was great, but Mcdowell should been nominated for a Clockwork orange imo. THat is one of the most powerful and crazy performances I have ever seen.:)

[@jennifersman7990]

True, but Hollywood at that time wasn't prepared to honor a film like that. There was still a big divide between "old Hollywood" and "young Hollywood". Read the book "Easy Riders and Raging Bulls" for an even better explanation

[@drstrangelove6558]

+Charles Heiston Actually I havent (never even Heard of that film)

[@dorarouzi]

Even if he was nominated, he would lose.

[@drstrangelove6558]

Unfourtantly yes......

[@josemiguelgarcia122]

Malcolm could've won

[@jeanettesmith765]

I love Liza Minelli's voice.

[@j.d.thompson3505]

She is so cute! Perfect next to Gene.

[@Siraj75]

Yeah , nice voice. Although her fashion sense leaves a lot to be desired!

[@helenejan117]

One of my first acting experiences was in George Morrison's incredible acting class with Gene Hackman. The perfect meeting of great teacher developing a great talent. George was the best acting teacher ever--quintessential teacher-fascinated by his students and the work, inspiring, always growing. I saw people who could barely speak become actors--real actors. I remember when Gene accepted that award and mentioned George . . . well deserved on both counts.

[@bikefixer]

I met George Morrison once. For some reason, I was in a rehearsal studio in a building on West 31st St. An amiable man and I started talking about something or the other on the staircase. The subject turned to acting (I'm an indy filmmaker so I knew a bit about acting training). After a minute or two, he told me he was George Morrison, and he was happily surprised I knew who he was. He invited me to a class a few days later, which for some reason I could not attend (maybe it related to the reason I was in the building in the first place). But it remains a wonderful, low key experience that I haven't forgotten, and we are talking about something that happened 30 or more years ago.

[@edkeaton1961]

Gene Hackman is a great actor and one of my favorites! He truly deserved this Oscar for his work in "The French Connection".

[@samishahzad3968]

Wonderful superb great actor Gene Hackman

[@Bluzian74]

ahh... brother Gene Hackman. Fucking LEGEND. Greetings from Canada!

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Thank God, for Gene ... what a talent ... :)))

[@user-xt4bf1vt4r]

Why didn't anyone stand up? Gene Hackman is one of the greatest actors of all time!

[@kim_fitria_britannic_offic7808]

Beautiful Gene Hackman Winners The French Connection

[@jonathanwilkinson1461]

One of the few times a sequel was just as good. Despite his major flaws you root for the extraordinary popeye in both movies. Powerhouse performances from Mr Hackman.

[@NiVi192]

Such a kind humble man - and evidently a very strong actor!

[@johnchesteryu4728]

Lex Luthor. the Best Lex Luthor! One of my favorite actor.. Mr. Gene Hackman..

[@roquefortfiles]

Get away.. get away... get away. Ms TESSMACHER!!!

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

Still, the greatest criminal mind of our time.

[@emperorclovis8348]

one of the truly great performances given in a movie ''the french connection''. hackman was not only brilliant but dynamic.

[@lusardi01]

great, great actor one of the best..

[@nickcopeland6915]

That same year, he starred in my favorite movie of his, The Poseidon Adventure.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

I'm a great fan of "The Poseidon Adventure". The movie was being filmed at the time Gene Hackman won the Oscar. I've seen a picture of him and other members of "The Poseidon Adventure", all with their Oscars. Gene joined the group that included Shelley Winters, Red Buttons and Ernest Borgnine. Also: if you like "The Poseidon Adventure", I highly recommend the little-known 1960 movie "The Last Voyage" starring Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone". Some of it is seen in YT video "Sinking of the Ile de France" which was partially sunnk for the movie.

[@luishumbertovega3900]

At age 93 and already retired Havkman is the only survivor among the great group of nominees, God bless them all

[@ajreyes9742]

one of the Best Movies I've ever seen....The French Connection......I also own it on DVD....This movie gave Gene his Big push into the higher regions of Stardom.....

[@betohfinger879]

..very well deserved awesome actor

[@vivianacevasco4665]

Gene Hackman era straordinario non ha mai sbagliato un colpo. Il Re dell'interpretazione 🎬

[@gordonm7038]

A deserved win. Gene was nervous as hell during the first week of filming but he came through in style to give a legendary performance. Now go pick your feet....

[@histubeness]

To anyone who hasn't seen Gene Hackman's performance in Arthur Penn's great "Night Moves" --1975 ....Check it out.

[@Springbok314]

Great performance, great picture. Think about him years later doing comedy in The Birdcage. Real talent.

[@skuzad25]

Such a normal guy. You'd never think Popeye and Gene are the same guy!

[@thomashcullen3253]

Donnie Skuza Hi Donnie.. You deserve a house, for free.

[@bobthebear1246]

Donnie Skuza That's because he's a great actor.

[@kipkunkle4667]

thought Robin Williams was Popeye

[@mirazusta2002]

@@kipkunkle4667 Robin Williams was Popeye the sailor, and Gene Hackman was Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle.

[@kipkunkle4667]

@@mirazusta2002 of course!!! My apologies

[@jwelch5742]

Gene Hackman has great acting in The French Connection.

[@MyJustin316]

Willy Wonka couldve been in competion with Popeye Doyle

[@marioiacolucci]

jwelch5742 he was great in enemy of the state

[@jamessandy5873]

"has great acting" - nice English!

[@lukaz3336]

@@jamessandy5873 Obviously the guy's first language isn't English.

[@viralbuthow000]

Been waiting for this awhile. Thank you.

[@willwalker6894]

I like how Gene Hackman had a hell of a career and just walked away from Hollywood and changed his number from his colleagues and just quit. If that ain’t some walking away in the sunset move I don’t know what is.

[@moviesgalore9947]

Sad that Finch died in 1977 right before he won Best Actor for Network he was great in that movie I wish he had lived to go up on stage and get his Oscar for playing Howard Beale.

[@ianbauer4703]

Amazing actor

[@ask4theupgrade359]

Mr Gene Hackman and his former roommate, Dustin Hoffman, both went on to win 2 Oscars. Hackman has given so many great performances like in the 1970 movie - “I Never Sang for My Father”. A movie about a middle aged man (Gene Hackman) trying to reconcile with his aging & strong minded Father, after the death of his Mother. I saw this movie @ 9 years old and immediately saw my relationship with my Dad up on that screen. A lot of us would relate to this Father/Son relationship. I would go on to recommend and revisit this movie many times over the last 50+ years. It’s my favorite Gene Hackman Oscar nominated performance.

[@tommyt1971]

One of America's greatest actors!

[@dzanier]

It's a pretty well known fact that Gene Hackman didn't enjoy making The French Connection nearly as much as many other films. Firstly, he had a hard time identifying with the real-life person he was portraying, Eddie Egan. Gene is far more liberal than Eddie could have ever been, and some of the tactics Eddie used in real life, which Hackman employed as "Popeye Doyle." just didn't fit in at all with Hackman's personality or politics. Also, I don't think he was Friedkin's first choice. There are some other reasons I can't recall now, but when Hackman thanks William Friedkinfor "bringing me through this when I wanted to quit," he's not exaggerating at all.

[@neelabhraroy4238]

Daniel Zanier Hackman never wanted to use the n-word or anything derogatory towards blacks which the character does on a couple of occasions. Bill Friedkin hence thought of angering hackman so that he would do what was required of him. That's why Hackman wanted to quit.

[@edkeaton1085]

Very true. Hackman wouldn't have given the performance that he has managed to give on screen and therefore without the fuel that he had needed from Friedkin, wouldn't have earned his Best Oscar Academy Award for 1971.

[@HoldenNY22]

He seems very different from his Popeye Doyle. Very Shy unlike the Character he portrayed.

[@dzanier]

@@HoldenNY22 he is shy.

[@charlesmurphy3222]

Gene Hackman has played some of the most conservative/MAGA demographic guys ever to such conviction in entertainment history. That's why his personal politics will never bother me. Because Gene doesn't cut corners in exchange for personal vices. He was Bradley Cooper before there was a Bradley Cooper. And we haven't seen the best work of Bradley Cooper yet. Just like Gene after TFC. His best work was still in development. Love this guy. As an actor and as a human being.

[@amiralcherani2662]

I love Liza's energy on stage, what an icon!

[@ralphh4131]

Agreed

[@sirlancelotmcbutt7150]

5. Walter Matthau in Kotch- This performance really is nothing but smiles, and sunshine. There is nothing to really note here except that he really is not particularly believable as an old man. (2.5/5) 4. George C. Scott in The Hospital- A lacking character, but Scott does show the emotions he has to quite well, even if it does not form a compelling character. (3.5/5) 3. Peter Finch in Sunday Bloody Sunday- Finch's performance is an effective enough performance, that gives a portrait of a repressed man who yearns for love. (3.5/5) 2. Topol in The Fiddler on The Roof- Topol gives a very good joyous performance, and puts his full heart into a delightful role. (4/5) 1. Gene Hackman in The French Connection- Hackman gives a commanding interesting memorable performance. I thoroughly enjoy every moment of Hackman's performance and I especially found his portrait of the obsession of the narcotics detective particularly powerful and effective. (4.5/5)

[@KevinStriker]

When's the last time you picked your feet?

[@colefriend6807]

sir I enjoy your reviews

[@leandrocerqueira9910]

Where Can I find your reviews?

[@kianucollis3929]

Charlie Varrick. Now GO!!

[@amparonarbona5142]

Sir Lancelot Mcbutt Do one of these but for the best actress category.

[@bretthumphrey6821]

Best actor ever

[@davidedward2352]

If I had to name one, I think he would be my favourite actor. Apart from being a brilliant actor, just someone I wish I knew.

[@Largentina.]

I used to own a bar in the Florida Keys and he stopped in 3 or 4 times. He was a really nice guy, tipped huge, and he absolutely loved Reuben sandwiches.

[@julianwrighthornet32]

gene hackman is a legend

[@maxwellworldwidehistorical3801]

Hand Salute to Mr. Hackman! Semper Fidelis Sir!

[@frederickburke9944]

holy shit. Except for Fiddler on the Roof I hadn't heard of these other three films. I am looking forward to checking them out. Thanks for posting!

[@gatewayski1]

Peter Finch was absolutely great in Sunday Bloody Sunday, and his portrayals have always been very responsible and mature.

[@a.koepke3523]

that's true, but Gene Hackman's performance in The French Connection was better.

[@klausrain111]

The 70s were such a great decade for movies! Fine and great actorss like Jack, Warren, Gene, et al. Wonderful memories. The French Connection had me on the edge of my seat the minute it started. "Frog One" and all of that. Ironically, I'm certain Les Francais loved this movie as much as everyone else did.

[@maduro169]

Fantastic actor . He should have had about six of these awards !!!

[@mitcholobe]

Hackman is a class act and this film and the second are my favorites

[@gerrydooley951]

that is one of the strongest group of actors up for Best Actor I've ever seen.

[@kendallrivers1119]

Gene is one helluva actor! The French Connection, Crimson Tide, Get Shorty, Enemy of The State and so much more! He deserves more credit and acknowledgement than he gets.

[@gilgemash]

Liza is the most effervescent woman I've come across. She oozes charm. I love her. Always have. Thank you Liza for being part of my life. Never mind that we've not met.

[@shawthingfilms]

Lord, they don't have oscar's like this anymore. Truly great actors like this is a single category. The last of the greats.

[@chuckselvage3157]

The year i was born well done Gene Hackman.

[@congared1]

Gene Hackman was a great actor and I miss watching him, it is good to watch the movies he acted in though

[@lizallewellyn4145]

One of my all-time favourite actors.

[@sfgiantsfan921]

Liza was always so great as a presenter, she always seemed just as happy if not happier that someone, anyone won an Oscar

[@nomore5845]

Yes he deserve it he is the best of the best actors.👍🏼🙏🏻❤️

[@joecalahan4068]

Gene Hackman delivers in this high octane drama

[@Stephanlabize]

Woah, what a class act

[@mariaguanipa5230]

He has something that we make us believing in all roles he performances.

[@Baltimorehop]

Such a humbled and great human being was able to brilliantly portray a rough and tough NYC Detective in real life international multi-million dollar heroin deal. The French Connection is in my top 5 movies of all time and if you knew me, that's really saying something.

[@sayno2lolzisback]

love the french connection, amazing film

[@robertroberto2487]

Gene Hackman Heart Gave One Of His Down To Earth Humility Speeches.

[@flobell1649]

Amazing film and for me the best actor ❤️

[@OughtaBeBrynn]

I don't get why Malcolm McDowell didn't get a nomination or a win.

[@cinemafan97.]

I know. Whats up with that?

[@OughtaBeBrynn]

Guess they didn't want to give the oscar to a guy who beat an old woman with a porclain penis statue and raped a girl while singing Singin' in the Rain.

[@Noodles37UK]

He's a Brit

[@Jasonificatiation]

Way too controversial for the academy back then. Not agreeing, but that's the answer. No one really had done a detective role like this really, either.

[@jackiescanlon]

Totally agree. Amazing performance.

[@kevinbraden798]

One of the Best ever. He is a working mans actor, who gives it his all to ever role. When I was a young boy growing up I couldn't wait to see what movie Gene would be in, it was like he did a couple of movies every year.

[@patrickfennell6372]

Humble and classy

[@eazyezwife2898]

Minelli was high as a kite when she did that shit.

[@stephenmccollum1391]

One of the all time greats. Can equally play a good guy and bad guy.

[@john-henrycraepps1585]

His Lex Luthor is so underrated! "We miss you Gene, please give us a call. I hope you see this, so you can show everyone how young and handsome you were"-Richard Donner Take care! /John-Henry

[@travels129]

Wat a actor he is GH

[@markmcauley9369]

Fantastic actor......................... love him so much

[@GA-1st]

One of the giants of American cinema. I hope he's happy in retirement!

[@De_liebste_un_beste_Mensch]

One of the GOATs. Definitely!

[@BirdsFn4Life]

Watching the French Connection now! What a great movie. Dam Liza was fine!

[@jackiescanlon]

Wow, what was Liza on that night?!

[@ryant3600]

she was coked out..

[@tokyovids9906]

@@ryant3600 Like mother, like daughter.

[@ResistanceQuest]

She was on being famous, rich, and beautiful

[@jamesmonroe7751]

What wasn't she on? Mama took downers Liza may took uppers. It us what it is!

[@jjaniero]

w o w . . . mesmerizing even when reciting names. no one like him.

[@georgiethumbs2438]

Hackman totally deserved it, he absolutely owned the living fuck out of French Connection, he was like Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon, just totally owned every last inch of it, just insanely great acting, acting that went beyond anything seen before.

[@JerseySurvivor]

That's the beautiful and underrated Candy Clark sitting next to Peter Finch. She was Jeff Bridges' girlfriend at the time.

[@richardbullis6263]

Are you sure about that? Jeff Bridges has married for a long time.

[@kevinbell3700]

Superb.

[@mdjones4]

Still pickin your feet in poughkeepsie??

[@colkilgore100]

Just a great fucking actor, no more no less. Love ya Gene!

[@broughmar]

Great movie, great performance. Sadly they definitely don't make 'em like this anymore (nor does this event have any bit of the class it used to)

[@a.koepke3523]

I can agree with that 100%, I see it the same way.

[@theonerichard6842]

Way a Go Gene Hackman. I really enjoy The French Connection and French Connection II and his performance is great as Popeye Dolye.

[@fido652]

He knocks the Brandos out of the park...a true actor.