1974

In the 1974 film "Young Frankenstein," actor Gene
Hackman (right) plays a blind, hermetic priest who
is visited by the Frankenstein monster, played by
Peter Boyle.

Eugene Allen Hackman
(January 30, 1930 – c. February 18, 2025)

John Franklin Candy (October 31, 1950 – March 4, 1994)

The comedic star John Candy died suddenly of a heart attack
on March 4, 1994, at the age of 43. At the time of his death, he
was living near Durango, Mexico, while filming Wagons East,
a Western comedy co-starring the comedian Richard Lewis.

1987

Morgan Freeman opened the annual In Memoriam segment at the
2025 Oscars by sharing kind words about his former co-star, Gene Hackman, who died last week.

Freeman addressed the Dolby Theatre audience in Hollywood by
saying, “This week, our community lost a giant — and I lost a dear
friend, Gene Hackman.”

Freeman continued, “I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene
on two films, Unforgiven and Under Suspicion, and like everyone
who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work.

He received two Oscars, but more importantly, he won the hearts
of film lovers all over the world.”

1992

2000

Gene Hackman left home at age 16, lied about his age
to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, and served
four and a half years as a field-radio operator. He was
stationed in China.   

Gone with the Wind won eight Academy Awards: Best Picture,
Actress (Vivien Leigh), Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel),
Art Direction (Lyle R. Wheeler), Color Cinematography (Ernest
Haller, Ray Rennahan), Directing (Victor Fleming), Film Editing
(Hal C. Kern, James E. Newcom) and Writing – Screenplay
(Sidney Howard).

Vivien Leigh during the 12th Academy Awards Oscar night.