It has been days since the untimely death of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betty, a tragedy that has seen Hollywood and his fans in mourning. The actor, who was 95 years old, died from heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s also contributing. Sadly, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, had died a week prior from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, an uncommon respiratory illness.
Despite the grief, his fans have started watching Hackman’s classic performances again to celebrate his career through his film and TV work. Among those that have been rediscovered is his cameo in Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives in 2008.
One of Gene Hackman’s last television appearances was on the ‘Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives’ show
Gene Hackman made a brief appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives in 2008. The program was hosted at Harry’s Roadhouse, a local New Mexico Santa Fe restaurant where Hackman was a regular customer. Hackman, during his brief appearance, enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere at the diner and mentioned that he could just roll in unannounced.
His interview with host Guy Fieri was infused with humor and humility, reflecting his comfort with the humble, everyday setting. When Fieri inquired of Hackman whether he was familiar with ‘scrapple,’ a regional specialty, Hackman’s tongue-in-cheek response added a touch of comedy to the segment.
Gene Hackman’s Hollywood journey
He worked for over five decades in Hollywood. For Bonnie and Clyde, Hackman received his first Academy Award nomination for his character Buck Barrow. He won his first Oscar in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in 1971’s The French Connection.
He also delivered unforgettable performances in films like Superman as Lex Luthor and Hoosiers. His work as Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven earned him a second Oscar, this time for Best Supporting Actor. He then retired in 2004 and left behind a legacy of great performances that continues to inspire actors and thrill audiences all over.