Gene Hackman

A true legend of the cinema. The great Gene Hackman, who sadly passed away recently, was always going to command his own episode. With a career spanning over 4 decades and more than 70 films there is plenty of variety for our top 10 lists. Gene Hackman won numerous awards, including 2 Oscars. As an actor he was equally good in lead or supporting roles, or playing the hero or villain. He brought charisma and personality to all that he did and was probably the best at being angry on film, but is he the most famous Gene according to a list that Lewis found?

Major characters such as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett vie for the top spot of our favourite performances category, but will they get past Senator Kevin Keeley, Agent Rupert Anderson, or indeed, Lex Luthor. The  best scenes category also gives Lewis another opportunity to get emotional about Shelley Winters.

Along with all things Gene, we discuss compering at dance and cheer competitions, planned train works on Sundays, the song 24 Hours From Tulsa, riding pillion on a motorbike and the only giant spider that Lewis can watch on film.

Gene Hackman was not only the greatest criminal mastermind of our time, but (in our opinion) the greatest actor of our time. After all, he was mentioned as having the freedom of a fictional island in a play that Matt wrote in 1999 so he must have been good.