To many, he will always be Superman supervillain Lex Luthor, but with a career spanning six decades, Gene Hackman's acting CV was as varied as it was long.
Speaking about his passion for novel writing in his later years, Hackman told Reuters in 2008: "I like the loneliness of it… It's similar in some ways to acting, but it's more private and I feel like I have more control over what I'm trying to say and do.".
While never considering himself a true star, Hackman acted opposite Hollywood heavyweights including Al Pacino, Gene Wilder, Oliver Reed, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway and Diane Keaton.
In 2003, when awarded the prestigious Cecil B De Mile award at the Golden Globes, Hackman said of his acting career: "It's all I ever wanted to do.
Decorated with multiple Oscars, BAFTAs and Golden Globes across his career, he would step away from acting in 2004, pivoting to novel writing, a pursuit he said better suited his solitary nature.
