I probably saw Gene Hackman for the first time in his hilarious turn as Lex Luthor in 1978’s “Superman.”  (Yes, I do realize that I am past the point of self-parody with my preoccupation with comics.)  Then again, 1972’s “The Poseidon Adventure” got plenty of television airtime later in the decade … so I might have seen him there first; I’m not sure.  (This was a very long time ago, people.)

Later in life, it was films like “The Firm” (1993), “Wyatt Earp” (1995) and “Crimson Tide” (1996) that made me truly appreciate Hackman’s talent.

I would rather not comment on the questions surrounding his death; I don’t think my uninformed speculation adds to that conversation.  Suffice to say here that he was a truly superb actor.

[Update — apologies for posting the wrong hyperlink yesterday!]