Ben Stiller Mourns Death ofRoyal TenenbaumsCostar Gene Hackman: 'He Was a Giant'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ben Stiller and Gene Hackman.Photo:Christina House/getty; Ron Davis/Getty

Christina House/getty; Ron Davis/Getty

Ben Stilleris still mourning the loss ofGene Hackman.

“Growing up, the movies that he made -French Connection,Scarecrow, going all the way throughHoosiers, so many films,” Stiller, 59, said. “For me, he was someone I looked up to as just one of the most authentic, real, charismatic and honest actors, and what moviemaking was in the ’70s that he represented, that tone. So he was a giant and I was lucky to have a chance to work with him once and he was incredible.”

Stiller and Hackman collaborated once, in filmmaker Wes Anderson’s 2001 classic dramedyThe Royal Tenenbaums.In the film, Stiller portrayed Hackman’s son. The movie also starredLuke Wilson,Gwyneth Paltrow,Bill MurrayandOwen Wilson.

Gene Hackman and Ben Stiller (center) in The Royal Tenenbaums.James Hamilton/Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock

James Hamilton/Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock

Stiller reflected on that experience in a poignant essay he wrote forThe New York Timeson Feb. 28, in which he he admitted that he “didn’t ever feel comfortable” around the late film icon.

“His movies were deeply embedded in my consciousness. In a time before social media and constant entertainment news, he was truly intimidating to me,” Stiller wrote in that essay. “He was one of the four actors on my Mount Rushmore, with Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. When Gene Hackman said something onscreen, you believed him.”

The actor, director and screenwriter recalled telling Hackman onThe Royal Tenenbaums' set that he particularly admiredThe Poseidon Adventure, the 1972 disaster film Hackman starred in. Stiller recalled Hackman telling him with a grin that that movie was a “money job.”

Ben Stiller on March 2, 2025.Todd Williamson/January Images

Todd Williamson/January Images

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The manner of Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths is still under investigation; one of their three dogs was also found dead on Feb. 28 and officials announced that Hackman’s body had been in his home fornine daysbefore it was discovered.

A Feb. 28 Santa Fey County Sheriff news release noted that thelate couple’s other two dogs are now safefollowing the discovery.

source: people.com