This time, it is Jennifer Love Hewitt who has been left heartbroken.
The 46-year-old is expressing her sadness over the passing of her Heartbreakers costar Gene Hackman who, on Feb. 26, was discovered dead in his New Mexico home alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their three dogs.
“I was one of many lucky enough to work with Gene Hackman,” Jennifer shared in an exclusive statement to E! News. “He was light and talent and goodness. We will all miss you.”
The pair starred together in the 2001 film, which saw Jennifer’s character work alongside her onscreen mother Sigourney Weaver to con men—including Gene’s character William B. Tensy—into and right back out of marriage, stealing their money along the way.
The Ghost Whisperer alum is just one of many mourning the loss of the Hollywood mainstay, whose career-spanning decade was marked by countless films and many awards.
Another titan of film, Francis Ford Coppola—who worked with Gene on 1974’s The Conversation—was among the first to pay tribute to the late actor.
“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration,” he captioned a photo with Gene on Instagram Feb. 27. “Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Viola Davis also spoke to the inspiration the Royal Tenenbaums star had provided throughout his career.
“Loved you in everything,” she captioned an Instagram tribute to Gene. “The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven—tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”
For his own part, Gene—who had been living quietly out of the spotlight with Betsy in recent years—was among the first to keep himself humble, despite the illustrious career he led.
“If you look at yourself as a star you’ve already lost something in the portrayal of any human being,” he told The New York Times in 1989. “I need to keep myself on the edge and keep as pure as possible. You need something to bring you down to a sense of who you are and who you’re portraying. You need to remember you’re not a movie star and that you shouldn’t be too happy.”
He added, “You should never take anything for granted.”
Keep reading to see how more stars honored Gene’s life…
Prince William & Kate Middleton
“So sad to hear the news of the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy,” the couple wrote on their joint X account. “Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
The Royal Tennanbaums actress shared a photo of herself, Luke Wilson and Gene on the set of the Wes Anderson film alongside a broken heart emoji in a Feb. 27 Instagram post.
Tom Hanks
The Cast Away star also kept his tribute short and sweet, writing in a Feb. 27 Instagram post alongside an old photo of the star, “There has never been a ‘Gene Hackman Type.’ There has only been Gene Hackman.”
Elizabeth Hackman, Leslie Hackman & Annie Hackman
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” the actor’s daughters—whom he shares with ex Faye Maltese—and grandaughter wrote in a statement shared with E! News. “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
Francis Ford Coppola
The Megalopolis director, who directed Gene in The Conversation, shared a touching tribute shortly after news of Gene’s death broke.
“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration,” the director wrote on Instagram Feb. 27, alongside a photo of the pair. “Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity, I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Viola Davis
The How To Get Away With Murder actress wrote a touching post directed at the actor himself.
“Loved you in everything!” Viola wrote in a Feb. 27 Instagram post. “The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven—tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”
Nathan Lane
“Getting to watch him up close it was easy to see why he was one of our greatest,” The Birdcage star told USA Today in a statement. “You could never catch him acting. Simple and true, thoughtful and soulful, with just a hint of danger. He was as brilliant in comedy as he was in drama and thankfully his film legacy will live on forever.”
He added, “It was a tremendous privilege to get to share the screen with him and remains one of my fondest memories. Rest in peace, Mr. Hackman.”
Hank Azaria
Comedian Hank Azaria, who also starred in The Birdcage alongside Gene, wrote a touching tribute.
“It was an honor and an education working with Gene Hackman,” he wrote on X, adding a few kind words from the film’s director, “Mike Nichols said of his genius character acting: ‘He always brought just enough of a different part of the real gene to each role he played.’ Sending all my love to his family & friends.”
Pedro Pascal
The Last of Us star proved Gene’s continued influence on Hollywood, sharing an old photo of the star on his Instagram Story, writing, “My actual favorite.”
Michael Rosenbaum
The Smallville actor, who shared the part of Lex Luthor with the Superman star, wrote to Instagram, “To my favorite Lex Luthor and one of the all time greatest actors ever! RIP.”
Antonio Banderas
The Mask of Zorro star wrote in a post on X, “A very sad day for the cinema’s family. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away. My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers.”
John Simm
“Sad news today,” the Collateral star wrote in a tribute on Instagram. “You’d be hard pressed to name a better screen actor than this man. Because there isn’t one. Perfection in every single role he played, a huge inspiration for me and for generations of actors. And he could do it all. He made the craft look effortless. A true artist.”
George Takei
The Star Trek alum commemorated his old peer with a heartfelt note to X.
“Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,” George wrote. “He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his world will live on forever.”
Edgar Wright
Edgar Wright—who directed Baby Driver and Last Night in Soho—shared a tribute to the late actor on X, writing, “The greatest…”
Cary Elwes
“We have lost a true legend,” the Princess Bride star wrote in a Feb. 27 Instagram post. “The magnificent Gene Hackman has passed away. A man whose breadth of talent was immeasurable. Growing up on his movies was an absolute thrill for me.”
He continued to emphasize the impact of Gene’s craft.
“To observe his remarkable facility and humanity in every role was something to behold,” he added. “Whatever film he was in, he made it better. A force of nature like no other and as such there will never be another like him. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans all over the world. Rest in absolute power, Gene.”
