Gene Hackman Biography

- Is born under the astrological star sign of Aquarius.

- Says that his childhood movie idol was Errol Flynn.

- Lied about his age in order to join the U.S. Marines at 16.

- Was jailed as a teenager in 1946 for stealing candy and soda from a store.

- Whilst a young, struggling actor in New York, he worked as a soda jerk in a pharmacy, and also as a furniture removal hand.

- Enjoys painting and writing fiction.

- Is only of only a few actors to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Role, after winning an Oscar for Best Actor. Others to do so include Jack Nicholson and Helen Hayes.

- Has played the role of fictional President three times; he played President in 'Superman' (1978), 'Absolute Power' (1997), and also in 'Welcome To Mooseport' (2004).

- Turned down the lead roles in 'Jaws' (1975), 'Close Encounters of The Third Kind' (1977) and 'Raiders Of The Lost Ark' (1981).

- Was the subject of the song 'Gene Hackman' by Hoodoo Gurus.

- Even though he no longer smokes, he played the role of a chain-smoker in 'Heartbreakers' (2001), using a special kind of cigarette that gives heavy smoke without inhaling.

- Was the first choice to play Hannibal Lector in 'Silence Of The Lambs'.

- Has appeared in three legal dramas adapted from novels by 'John Grisham: The Firm' (1993), 'The Chamber' (1996) and 'Runaway Jury' (2003).

- Says that watching his own films makes him very nervous.

- Was involved in a road rage incident in Hollywood in 2001 when two young men attacked him after he ran into their car.