Winning two Oscars in his decades-long career, Gene Hackman has been one of the most successful Hollywood stars. However, despite being known for his phenomenal performance in The French Connection and The Conversation, the actor failed to be as renowned as his peers. But nothing hurts the esteemed star more than being fired from one of the best movies of all time.
Despite possessing a certain gravitas that makes him so captivating on-screen, Gene Hackman revealed losing Mike Nichols’ 1967 movie, The Graduate. Calling it one of his biggest regrets, the actor explained how painful it was, when he was fired from the role. Despite moving on with his career and making several films further, Hackman failed to get rid of this regret.
Gene Hackman Was Fired From The Graduate
Although it’s highly surprising, even two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman lost a highly anticipated project early on in his career. Despite captivating his audiences with his brilliance, charm, and talent, the actor failed to mesmerize Mike Nichols, when needed, in order to land a role in his 1967 movie.
Speaking with Chicago Tribune, the actor thus revealed how he was fired from Mike Nichols’ one of the best romance movies of all time, The Graduate. Explaining the painful moment, Hackman stated that being fired from The Graduate hurt him more than turning down Ordinary People. “That’s what I remember most from my early days, and it still hurts.” the actor revealed.
“I was going to play Mr. Robinson, Anne Bancroft’s husband. But Mike Nichols didn’t think I was doing it well and so, one, two, three, I was fired.”
Discussing how eager he was to land the role in the 1967 movie, Gene Hackman mentioned being shattered by the rejection. Praising the director for seeing through him, Hackman mentioned, “Mike’s a nice guy, but he’ll fire you without blinking an eye”. He further shared how he failed to move on from this incident, despite having a successful career.
Gene Hackman Failed To Let Go Of His Regret
It’s not just the audiences and fans who find it fascinating to wonder what The Graduate could have been like with Gene Hackman’s presence; even the actor finds himself pondering about the same. Irrespective of donning a successful Hollywood career, winning Oscars, and garnering praises, Hackman failed to move on.
“It didn’t really hurt my career. I had Bonnie and Clyde coming out the same year, and that turned everything around for me. But it was painful.”
Moving ahead with his career and life, Gene Hackman mentioned living his entire life with just one regret of being fired from Mike Nichols‘ movie. He also shared with the Chicago Tribune,
“Every time I look at the television schedule and see The Graduate coming on, or sometimes when I see Dustin Hoffman, I think about it.”
Explaining his failure to find closure and move on, Hackman stated, “You know, getting fired from The Graduate can stick with you,”. But luckily, the actor found success elsewhere in his career, when he reprised his role as one of the best DC villains, Lex Luthor.
Source: Chicago Tribune
