Movies

My golden memory of photographing Gene Hackman in 2001, and the memento he left behind

BBG News

In 2001, I had an opportunity to capture Gene Hackman‘s portrait. This session happened on November 17th at the Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel’s penthouse suite in Beverly Hills. I liaised with a publicist I’d collaborated with frequently before, and since she admired my work, I was given full creative control for the shoot.

I arranged my lights in several spots, with the primary setup being a golden-clad bed. This bed was embellished with gold bedposts and gold drapes behind it, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of “The Royal Tenenbaums,” one of the three films from that year in which Hackman had acted.

Upon his arrival, Hackman’s presence seemed to fill the entire room. Being quite tall, he towered over me, causing me to glance upward at him. I offered him a warm greeting and expressed my gratitude for his exceptional acting talents.

Movies

Known for his unstable and dynamic screen appearances spanning over five decades, we honor Hackman’s lasting impact by sharing our favorite performances.

In a casual conversation, I discussed a few movies that I adore of his, and he seemed attentive as I spoke. Upon bringing up the 1974 suspenseful film “The Conversation,” he offered me a faint smile and asked, “What’s your idea?

In simpler terms, I proposed that we should portray a concept like “The Zen of Acting” since he had three movies released in the same year. I suggested he adopt a serene, Buddha-like pose on the bed. However, he gave me an uninterested look, and I realized my attempt was not successful.

“Jacket on, or jacket off?” he said to me.

“Jacket off,” I replied.

“Shoes on or shoes off?” he said matter-of-factly.

“Shoes off.”

Obituaries

Legendary actor Gene Hackman first gained fame with the movie ‘Bonnie and Clyde,’ and later soared to superstardom in ‘The French Connection.’ Tragically, he passed away at the age of 95.

After removing his jacket and shoes, Hackman gracefully jumped onto the bed in an unexpectedly elegant manner and assumed a flawless position. I suggested he adjust his hands to face upwards. His smile indicated enjoyment, but then Hackman paused.

“Wait, this just doesn’t feel right,” he said.

Rats, foiled again, I thought.

Hackman requested his buddy’s multi-tool device, similar to a Swiss Army knife. He enlarged a hole in one of his socks sufficiently for his big toe to protrude. “It’s just right,” he remarked. His pronunciation was surprisingly unpredictable. As far as I could tell, his big toe deserved an Academy Award.

In different spots, I captured several images of him. Our time eventually ran out. Once more, I expressed my gratitude to him, appreciating his sportsmanship, and we exchanged a hearty handshake. With a friendly grin and a strong grip, he bid farewell, leaving the room behind.

As I dismantled my movie theater’s lighting equipment, I stumbled upon an item on the floor that initially caught me off guard. Thinking it was just a piece of debris, I reached for it to discard it. However, upon closer inspection, I recognized it as a fragment from one of Harrison Ford’s socks – the same one he had snipped during our last filming session!

It has a special place in my journal.

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2025-03-02 21:31

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