A couple of tidbits about Gene Hackman's career I ran across this morning ....
He did a screen test for the role of Mike Brady on "The Brady Bunch" but was (fortunately for him) passed over for Robert Reed.
He only accepted the role of Lex Luthor on Superman on the condition that he could keep his hair. He takes off a whig near the end of the movie to reveal what appears to be a bald head, but he is obviously wearing a 'bald' cap.
He was good friends with Jack Nicholson in real life. They were both in Reds in 1981. Nicholson turned down the role of Norman Dale in Hoosiers, but encouraged the producers to cast Gene instead. They took Jack's advice.
One of the all-time greats. I thought he carried the first two Superman movies by bringing humor to the role of Lex Luthor. Hackman had great range.
Rest In Peace.