Gene Hackman Dies: Oscar-Winning Actor's Film with Southwest Florida Ties

Hackman won two Oscars during his career, for "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven."
He appeared in around 80 films, including "Hoosiers" and "Mississippi Burning."

Gene Hackman found his way to Southwest Florida at least once, when he co-starred in a 1975 movie.

Hackman portrayed a retired football player in "Night Moves," which also co-starred Melanie Giffith, James Woods, Susan Clark and Jennifer Warren.

The award-winning actor, who was 95, was found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa and their dog Thursday in their New Mexico home, authorities said.

In the thriller, Hackman's character has a new job as a private investigator who finds that his wife (Clark) is having an affair.

The story eventually shifts to Florida, with Sanibel Island appearing in the film considered by one reviewer "a seminal modern noir work from the 1970s."

In addition to Sanibel, the other Florida scenes were filmed in The Keys and Wakulla Springs in the Panhandle.

The rest of "Night Moves" was filmed in California.

The actor won two Oscars in his more than 60-year career and is known for roles such as his best acting-winning performance as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in "The French Connection."

Hackman also won Best Supporting Actor for his role as a villainous Sheriff in Clint Eastwood's 1992 Western film "Unforgiven."

He appeared in some 80 big-screen movies, with other notable roles including the inspiring coach Norman Dale in "Hoosiers" and an FBI special agent in "Mississippi Burning" that also earned him an Oscar Best Actor nomination.

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Have any news tips? Questions? Contact him at dosborn@gannett.com and follow him on Instagram @lacrossewriter.