How many times was Gene Hackman nominated for Oscar? Awards explored as Iconic actor dead at 95

Gene Hackman, known for his celebrated roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven, Mississippi Burning, and many more, has tragically passed away at 95.

The Hoosiers star's acting prowess earned him scores of accolades and nominations. He received five Oscar nominations for acting, with two wins. The Royal Tenenbaums actor also earned seven BAFTA, eight Golden Globe, and two SAG Award nominations.

Gene Hackman won two BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, and one SAG Award for his various acting roles. Besides his three Golden Globes, Hackman was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2003. Accepting his final award at the 60th Golden Globes stage, he started by expressing:

“I never wanted to be anything, but an actor. George Scott had a line in Patton that I think is appropriate. ‘God help me, I love it. I truly do.’ Being at the Palace Theater in my little hometown, my favorite time as a young boy. If I had 40 cents, I could ride the streetcar back and forth, get a bag of popcorn and see a double feature.”

During his final award acceptance speech, Hackman recalled his experience of watching feature films as a kid. He added:

“I knew that there were people behind all of that dream-making, but I chose to believe that this was happening for the first time, for me, on that screen, on that Saturday afternoon.”

Gene thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the crowd, and concluded his speech by saying:

“Top of the world ma, top of the world.”

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Gene Hackman earned his two Oscars for The French Connection and Unforgiven

As mentioned, Hackman won two Oscars from the five nominations. He earned his first nomination for Bonnie & Clyde in 1968 for the Best Supporting Actor award at the 40th edition. He lost to Rod Steiger and George C. Scott in 1968 and 1971, respectively.

Gene won the Best Actor Oscar for The French Connection. The actor earned his second Oscar with his fifth and final nomination in 1993.

Check out the list of Hackman’s nominations and wins at the different award ceremonies over the years:

Oscars

BAFTAs

Golden Globes

SAG Awards

The iconic actor retired after 2004 and didn’t appear in any role after Welcome to Mooseport. Gene Hackman resided in his Santa Fe home with his second wife, Betsy Arakawa. The couple lived in New Mexico for more than three decades until their deaths in February 2025.