, 's presence across six different decades, with an on-screen career spanning from 1959 to 2004, is enormous. In that time, Hackman applied his talents to some of the biggest and best titles in cinema history, from his Oscar-winning role as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in 's T to his character-defining turn as Lex Luthor in the franchise.
Sadly, the news broke on February 27 that Hackman, alongside his wife, classical pianist , passed away in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. With tributes to Hackman and his wife pouring in from all corners of the globe, led by and, thoughts immediately turn to the legacy Hackman is leaving behind, . With that in mind, and if you're looking for the best way to tribute one of the greats, here's a list of the best Hackman movies currently available on Prime Video.
Alongside Jimmy Doyle and Lex Luthor, Hackman's other most iconic role came in 's Western as Sheriff "Little" Bill Daggett. Bill is the man who places a hefty bounty on the heads of the perpetrators of a heinous crime, with Eastwood's outlaw William Munny taking matters into his own violent hands. A true great of the Western genre, Unforgiven is a gripping, character-driven tale of revenge. A selection for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, the movie is also the catalyst for Hackman's second Oscar, with this utterly immersive role earning him a
's 1983 political thriller sees Hackman take on the role of Alex Grazier, an accomplished military photojournalist ready to give it all up for a lucrative role as a news anchor. Alex is a close friend of 's Russel Price, a fellow photojournalist who is caught up in a tense conflict after photographing Rafael, the leader of the Guerillas who was thought to be dead. , with the veteran demanding the camera's attention every time he is on-screen. This, alongside a terrific set of other ensemble performances, helped Under Fire to plenty of praise, with its score even earning a nod for the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Under Fire
- October 21, 1983
- 128 minutes
Hackman's incredible range as an actor is no better displayed than in ' , a farcical comedy about a popular drag nightclub in South Miami Beach. Owned by ' Armand Goldman and starring his lover Albert (), this nightclub quickly has to adapt when Armand's son returns home with his soon-to-be wife, the daughter of Hackman's US Senator and co-founder of the Committee for Moral Order, Kevin Keeley. As the deplorable Senator Keeley, Add this to top-tier performances from the likes of Williams, Lane, , and , and you have a recipe for ridiculously entertaining comedic genius.
At 65 years old, and less than a decade before he was to retire from acting, Hackman was shining once again in a supporting role in 's star-studded . Based on 's 1990 novel of the same name, Get Shorty follows 's Miami mobster Chili Palmer, who travels from his usual haunt to the bright lights of Hollywood to collect a debt, but soon finds himself falling headfirst into the movie industry. A terrifically paced black comedy with all the trimmings, Get Shorty features Hackman as the lazy Harry Zimm, the target of Palmer's debt collection.A puerile, pathetic B-movie director,
Get Shorty
- October 20, 1995
- 105 minutes
Alan Parker's crime thriller Mississippi Burning is Hackman at his very best, portraying FBI Agent Rupert Anderson, inspired by real-life FBI Agent John Proctor. Able to balance both an intimidating and effortlessly charming presence, Hackman delivers the movie's best performance, even with the likes of Willem Dafoe and Frances McDormand in the cast. Telling the tale of a pair of FBI Agents as they try and piece together the mystery behind three missing civil rights workers in fictional Jessup County, Mississippi, Mississippi Burning is a perfect example of why Hackman is so beloved, and a perfect way to celebrate the work, life, and legacy of an undeniable great.
