"We called him Captain Hollywood" - Gene Hackman's business partner recalls late actor's prank after losing a bet

The news of Gene Hackman's sudden demise shocked his loved ones and fans around the globe. Reminiscing about good times spent with him, Dough Lanham, his business partner, shared fun anecdotes about the late actor.

In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Lanham recalled a hilarious incident of Gene paying off a bet with just pennies. The legendary actor handed over a toolbox on wheels filled with pennies worth around $700 and settled his golf bet.

Dough Lanham walked down memory lane and talked about fond times with Gene Hackman

The business partners played golf and had friendly bets during their games as well. Sharing one such sweet story, Lanham said:

"Gene was notorious for kind of welching on the bets."

Gene Hackman was supposed to pay Dough cash because of their bets, and he had the most epic response to this incident. Instead of simply giving cash, Gene visited his Lanham's office, carrying a big toolbox on wheels.

Reaching the office, the actor gave him the toolbox and just left after saying:

"Here. Here’s your bet. Enjoy it. And there’s a note inside."

Dough was surprised to find pennies worth about $700 and a note. The Oscar-winning star expressed his thoughts on paying the bet in that note. Remembering that day, he further added:

"Well, I opened the toolbox and there was probably $700 worth of pennies. And then there was this document that he had tucked inside about his feelings about having to pay this bet. So we called him Captain Hollywood."

Hachman and Lanham were business partners for nearly a decade

Dough knew Gene and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, for a long time. Recollecting memories created with the couple, he narrated how they were very private. He added:

They were "very, very private until you got to know them."

A mutual friend introduced Dough to the couple at a restaurant. During that time, he was the owner of Jinja Bar & Bistro. Later, Gene joined him in co-owning the place.

Applauding Betsy for being a great person, he said:

"Betsy’s a wonderful chef in her own right, just an incredible person."

Lanham even invited Hackman and Arakawa to join him for a cooking spree the next day, and they agreed to the invitation. The couple reached the restaurant right on time and also brought a cooler filled with food.

Dough spoke with TMZ and expressed how Betsy was extremely focused on Gene Hackman maintaining his diet and eating the right food for his well-being.