News

With his recent passing at age 95, Gene Hackman left behind a legacy few other actors could match. Despite retiring over 20 years ago, Hackman still loomed large in American movie culture, a testament to his commanding screen presence and deep wells of humanity. His versatility meant that he could comfortably slot into any number of genres, and the '90s saw him step effortlessly into a run of westerns, beginning in 1992 with his Oscar-winning turn as a corrupt sheriff in Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven.

A few years later in 1995, Hackman took on another villainous western role in Sam Raimi's amped-up genre homage The Quick and the Dead, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. While the film flopped pretty hard upon release, it's come to be considered an underrated cult classic on the strength of Raimi's direction and strong performances from Hackman, Sharon Stone, Russell Crowe, and a 20-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio.

Quick LinksWhat Is The Quick and the Dead About?What Happened to Herod in The Quick and the Dead?

This article contains a mention of sexual assault.

The world at large is mourning the loss of Gene Hackman, who passed away just a week after his wife passed, along with their dog. In addition to a rich résumé of iconic roles spanning decades, the celebrated actor is perhaps best remembered for playing Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeve era of Superman films.

The tragic loss of Hackman has fans rummaging through the archives to look back at the great body of work he left behind. One of these movies is a 1995 Western that doesn't get the full praise it deserves. The Quick and the Dead has an underrated feminist message to it, while shaping Hackman's character as a most fearsome mogul.

What Is The Quick and the Dead About? Gene...

Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

Chaos: The Manson Murders (Errol Morris)

Over half a century later, what new information can be gleaned from the nights of August 9 and 10, 1969? Tom O’Neill and Dan Piepenbring’s riveting (if convoluted) book Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties––released in June 2019, between the Cannes premiere and theatrical release of Quentin Tarantino’s cathartic rewrite of that history––argues that while all the evidence of the murders has been gleaned, there’s a complex and knotty web of conspiracies for the motivations, some more plausible than others. To pare down the 528-page book to its most overarching theory, it postulates Manson may have been allowed (and perhaps even directed) by the CIA to concoct a reign...

Since the 1970s, Gene Hackman has earned his place in Hollywood history as one of the greatest character actors of all time. Working alongside movie legends like William Friedkin, Clint Eastwood, and Richard Donner, the actor has brought an impressive degree of depth and range to the big screen. After passing away in 2025, Hollywood has been left with one fewer legend -- and he has the filmography to prove it.

Gene Hackman boasts one of the most impressive careers in cinema, with his '70s performances helping redefine the tone of cinema forever. Having won Oscars and left his mark on almost every genre there is, the star's impact on acting remains to this day. It isn't often the film industry finds someone as acclaimed, intense, and versatile as Hackman and, since his death, cinema has been left worse off.

Enemy of the State Is Still Relevant As Edward "Brill...

The French Connection. Unforgiven. The Poseidon Adventure. Crimson Tide. Hoosiers. Gene Hackman is one of the most outstanding actors of this generation—or any generation. At the age of 95, he lived a remarkable life, one of acclaim and prestige. Regretfully, his death is clouded in mystery. His roles will be cherished for decades to come. His two Oscars will be on the cinephile's mantle forever.

Yet, among nerds, he will always be Lex Luthor.

Some nerds (and critics) thought Hackman's portrayal of Superman's criminal nemesis was part huckster and used car salesman. When it's that guy, Hollywood thought they were getting a more serious tone with grit and that signature gravely voice barking commands.

He was paired with Ned Beatty, another serious thespian. Yet, when faced against Christopher Reeve, they became Abbott and Costello.

And you know what? DC Comics wouldn't have had any other way. It worked splendidly.

Critics loved the performance.

Tombstoneis no ordinary Western. This early ‘90s ensemble piece has such a wealth of talent strapping on their spurs that audiences are spoiled for choice. Kurt Russell is at the peak of his movie star powers, Michael Biehn barely has Terminator 2 in his rearview mirror, and Val Kilmer can do no wrong. Released in 1993, between Unforgiven and Sam Raimi’s The Quick & The Dead, Tombstone occupies a cinematic sweet spot. In the wake of revisionist Westerns like Clint Eastwood’s classic, and sitting alongside Mario van Pebble’s Posse, Tombstone feels like a return to genre traditions.

George P. Cosmatos was coming off Peter Weller’s Leviathan, and screenwriter Kevin Jarre had the Oscar-winning Glory as his calling card. With a script that clung to conventions and an ensemble that included up-and-coming actors Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Rooker, Tombstone had aces in places. Produced by Andrew G. Vajna,...

Denzel Washington has been his own man for as long as one can remember, rarely ever hesitating to express his true self even in front of some of the greatest actors of all time. To say the least, he is pretty much as bold as the characters he portrays for the screens are, like that of Rob McCall in The Equalizer film series, for one to count.

Denzel Washington. | Credits: Gladiator II / Paramount Pictures.

This feature of his shone through even when it came down to working with the late legendary Gene Hackman, who is credited with gifting the cinema with pieces featuring his incredible acting chops including the likes of The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992). When the two joined hands to work on their $91 million thriller together, Washington was as bold as ever, never once feeling intimidated by him.

Denzel Washington wasn’t intimidated by Gene Hackman on Crimson Tide...

It's never easy to learn that yet another screen titan has left us. The rate at which we've been losing our legends is gutting, which is why it deeply saddened me when I found out about the great Gene Hackman passing away with his wife Betsy Arakawa in their New Mexico home.

When it comes to the actor's diverse body of work, there's almost too much to talk about. But that was how Hackman secured his legacy as one of the industry's most versatile performers for decades. Any contemporary actor alive would kill to have the resume Hackman had. He worked with greats like Arthur Penn ("Bonnie and Clyde"), Francis Ford Coppola ("The Conversation"), Richard Donner ("Superman: The Movie"), Sam Raimi ("The Quick and the Dead"), Tony Scott ("Crimson Tide"), and Wes Anderson ("The Royal Tenenbaums"), among countless others.

Hackman won his first Academy Award in 1972 for his turn as...

The death of Gene Hackman and his wife has continued to dominate headlines as new details come to light about the strange circumstances surrounding the Oscar-winning actor’s passing. While the latest reports have said it could be “months” before the results of toxicology reports reveal exactly what caused the double death, and that of one of the couple’s dogs, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has revealed a sad piece of information that suggests Hackman died much earlier than originally believed. As per Deadline, Mendoza said in a short press conference:

“An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr. Hackman's pacemaker. This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025, I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed.”

RelatedThe 15 Best Gene Hackman Movies, Ranked

Gene Hackman died today, Feb. 27, and we're remembering the great actor with his best films.

There are currently many factors about...

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday his department is still waiting for final autopsy and toxicology reports on the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, but has a fair idea of when the Oscar winner actually died.

An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr. Hackman pacemaker,” the Sheriff said at a short press conference today. “This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025, I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed.”

Noting that getting final autopsy and toxicology reports “could take months,” Mendoza added that initial results seem to rule out carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of the deaths of the 95-year-old Hackman, the 63-year-old Arakawa and one of their dogs. Amidst some conflicting information over the past 48 hours, the Sheriff said “there were no apparent signs of foul play” in the Hackmans’ deaths.

Married since 1991 and notoriously private, Hackman and...

Paramount’s free streaming service, Pluto TV, has revealed its March highlights. The Pluto TV March 2025 lineup celebrates Women’s History Month with powerhouse performances, legendary directors, and female-led stories in every genre. Pluto TV is also spotlighting its On-Demand section, where you can find sections specially curated by programmers.

Pluto TV is the leading free streaming television service, delivering hundreds of live, linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand to a global audience. The Emmy Award-winning service curates a diverse lineup of channels in partnership with hundreds of international media companies.

On-demand

Pluto TV offers hundreds of free live channels, but there’s even more to love with its growing on-demand section. With an expanding selection of films and TV series, audiences can dive into their favorite content anytime, in addition to tuning in live. This month, dive into new special collections:

A24 Spotlight – Stream acclaimed films like Red Rocket,...

Euphoria was a cultural reset with its raw portrayal of addiction, love, and identity. The show resonated with many teenagers and young adults, but it was also criticized for its explicit scenes. Sydney Sweeney was one of the show’s breakout stars, and just when we thought that the series couldn’t get any more electrifying, Sharon Stone was brought into the picture.

Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct | TriStar Pictures

Stone is an icon in her own right, and she is all set to bring her star power and gravitas to the already intense drama. But this isn’t just about adding another face to the cast, it’s a collision of two eras and two women who’ve proven they are more than just a pretty face.

Sydney Sweeney’s rise in Euphoria and Sharon Stone’s return to the industry Sharon Stone in The Quick and the Dead...

Gene Hackman, the legendary everyman actor who won two Oscars before stepping away from Hollywood in 2004, and Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M., home on Wednesday. Hackman was 95. Arakawa, whom he married in 1991, was 64.

While authorities did not suspect foul play, the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa have been ruled suspicious. A detective's affidavit stated that "an open prescription bottle scattered pills" were found on a bathroom counter near Arakawa's body. One of the couple’s dog, a German shepherd, was found dead in the bathroom closet, about 15 feet from Arakawa. Two other family dogs were found alive.

A maintenance worker discovered the bodies on Wednesday. Arakawa was found in the bathroom near a space heater. Her body showed signs of decomposition, per the detective report. Hackman's body, in a similar state, was found in the mud room appearing as if he had "suddenly fallen.

Gruff. Authoritative. Crafty. Intense.

Gene Hackman was one of those 20th century legacy actors who — along with the likes of Harrison Ford and Clint Eastwood — always brought a uniquely mesmerizing tough competence to his characters. Whether playing a volatile cop in The French Connection, a criminal mastermind in Superman or a murderous sheriff in Unforgiven, Hackman delivered dialogue with an un-showy pragmatism. He often conveyed a simmering undercurrent of anger or a twinkle of dry humor — or both at the same time. Hackman’s typical onscreen persona was also surprisingly versatile, unlike some of his contemporaries. He could convincingly play the hero or the heel and still seem like, well, like Gene Hackman. Even his good guys felt borderline villainous; he helped define “antihero.”

With the tragic news Thursday of Hackman’s death at the age of 95, The Hollywood Reporter has assembled some of the actor’s finest and most memorable scenes.

Gene Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman, and his granddaughter Annie said they are “devastated” after the two-time Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday. He was 95 and she was 64.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” the family told TheWrap in a Thursday statement. “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

As TheWrap previously reported, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office insists Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths are not suspicious despite multiple media reports regarding search warrants suggesting the contrary. The department states no foul play is suspected in the case, though the investigation in ongoing.

Gene Hackman’s death has raised enough suspicion among the Santa Fe police that they have obtained a search warrant for the Oscar winner’s home after the nonagenarian, his wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their dogs were found dead last night.

“At this time; the manner and cause of death pertaining to Eugene ‘Gene’ Allen Hackman and Betsy Arakawa passing is unknown,” said Santa Fe Sheriff’s department Det. Roy Arndt late Wednesday night in an affidavit submitted to a state judge just hours after the bodies were discovered in the couple’s longtime New Mexico home.

“Affiant believes that the circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened, deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another...

Two-time Oscar winner, Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95. The iconic actor was found dead at their Santa Fe, N.M. home alongside his 63-year-old classical pianist wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog.

Whilst not deemed suspicious, their deaths are currently being investigated.

Former Marine turned actor Hackman, who won two Oscars for his roles in 1971’s ‘The French Connection’ and 1992’s ‘Unforgiven’ made his mark in Hollywood with his role as Clyde Barrow’s explosive older brother in the 1967 film ‘Bonnie and Clyde,’ which brought him his first Oscar nomination in supporting actor. He also found himself with Oscar nominations for this roles as FBI Special Agent Rupert Anderson in ‘Mississippi Burning,’ Gene Garrison in Gil Cates’ ‘I Never Sang for My Father,’

Also in news – ‘Pink Floyd at Pompeii – McMlxxii’ to return to cinemas this spring

Having appeared in over 80 films his career spanned from the...

After Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, his celebrity peers began honoring the two-time Oscar-winning actor’s life with touching tributes early Thursday morning.

Viola Davis wrote, “Loved you in everything! ‘The Conversation,’ ‘The French Connection,’ ‘The Poseidon Adventure,’ ‘Unforgiven’ — tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”

Francis Ford Coppola wrote, “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

Edgar Wright wrote, “The greatest…”

Josh Brolin wrote, “I am crushed by the sudden deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (and their dog). Crushed. He was always one of my favorites. Not many who beat to...

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed. A cause of death for the Oscar-winning actor, 95, and his wife, 64, was not revealed but Mendoza said no foul play was suspected.

An investigation into their deaths is ongoing. According to Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Womack-Avila, the couple was found dead at around 1:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday after a neighbor called in a welfare check, per Albuquerque’s KOB4.

Hackman and Arakawa, a classical pianist, married in 1991. Their dog was also found deceased.

An acting giant, Hackman was born in San Bernadino, California, and enlisted in the military at age 16, lying about his age to get in. He served over four years as a field operator in the Marines before pursuing acting in 1956 at the San Bernadino...

Unfortunately, we have to get the day started with some sad news today, as it has been reported that we’ve lost one of the great legends of cinema, Gene Hackman, at the age of 95. Hackman, his retired pianist wife, 63-year-old Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were all found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday afternoon. Yahoo reports that New Mexico police have said that the causes of death are under investigation, “but they do not believe foul play is a factor at this time.” Of course, there’s a lot of speculation going around that the cause of death may be carbon monoxide poisoning, but nothing has been confirmed as of right now.

Born on January 30, 1930 in San Bernadino, California, Eugene Allen Hackman did a lot of moving around in his younger years, but had already decided that he wanted to be an actor...

It’s a sad day for all movie buffs as the world said goodbye to prolific actor Gene Hackman today. The 2-time Oscar-winner was best known for his work in projects like The French Connection and Mississippi Burning. Hackman carved a rich legacy in the industry with a career spanning over 6 decades.

Gene Hackman as Avery Tolar in The Firm | Image: Paramount Pictures

He was a well-loved actor, dabbling in both hero and villainous roles like he did in Superman with Lex Luthor’s character. Hackman will be remembered for his unmatched contribution to the world of Hollywood. Here’s everything we know about his tragic passing.

Gene Hackman and wife found dead at Santa Fe home

The 95-year-old actor was found dead at his Santa Fe home along with his wife and dog. Gene Hackman was married to pianist Betsy Arakawa and led a peaceful life away from the...

Two time Oscar-winner Gene Hackman was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa at their home in Santa Fe, local police confirmed this morning.

The police have said they don’t believe “foul play was a factor in their deaths” but an investigation is ongoing.

Hackman turned 95 this year. The Hollywood legend was one of American cinema’s most trusted onscreen artists. He won Oscars for The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992) and was Oscar-nominated for roles in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).

Hackman was also celebrated for his portrayal of Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequel Superman II, with other credits including The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Scarecrow (1972), The Conversation (1974), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Under Fire (1983), Power (1986), Loose Cannons (1990), The Firm (1993), The Quick and the Dead (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Enemy of the State (1998), Behind Enemy Lines (2001), and Runaway Jury (2003).

He had not been in the...

Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe, Nm.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed just after midnight Thursday local time that the couple had died, along with one of their dogs.

A statement from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office read: “On February 26, 2025 at approximately 1:45 p.m., Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95 and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased.

“Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time however exact cause of death has not been determined. This is an active and ongoing investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.”

Related: 2025 Deaths Photo Gallery: Hollywood & Media Obituaries

Deputies were responding to a welfare check at the home after a neighbor called authorities,...

Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner for “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead Wednesday afternoon in their Santa Fe, N.M. home. The office of Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed their deaths to Variety after midnight Thursday. There is no immediate indication of foul play, per authorities, though the Sheriff’s office did not immediately provide a cause of death. Hackman was 95. Arakawa was 63.

On Wednesday, Sheriff’s deputies visited the home of Hackman and Arakawa, who married in 1991. The couple was found dead, alongside their dog.

“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” the sheriff told the Santa Fe New Mexican. The statement came before authorities had positively identified the pair, per the publication. “I want to assure the community and neighborhood...

While Hollywood typically has a good instinct for turning great films into box office gold, as seen with Marvel's Avengersmovies, this isn't always the case. Considering how much money can be spent on films and how much competition there is, it's always easy for great stories to get lost in the cracks, only to find new love later on. Some movies enjoy success in the home video market as word-of-mouth spreads, while others are only ever appreciated by a small minority.

While some box office flops earned their failure, others crashed and burned despite being among the best of their era. The 1990s in particular had no shortage of fantastic movies that didn't make a strong impression in theaters, but have since earned the respect of fans of their respective genres. From gritty crime movies to stylish Westerns, the decade proved even the best movies can struggle to fill up theaters.

"Tombstone," from 1993, is the Wyatt Earp movie most people remember from the '90s, but it's hardly the only star-studded spectacle about the legendary marshal. A year later, "Wyatt Earp" came out, reuniting actor Kevin Costner with filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan, the director who first made him a charismatic cowboy in 1985's "Silverado." A love of the old west clearly stuck with Costner, who made his directorial debut with "Dances With Wolves," an epic about a Union Army Lieutenant (Costner) who goes native. If you haven't seen it, you've probably at least heard the plot of "Avatar" compared (unfavorably) to it. It won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and another for Costner as Best Director.

Covering more of Earp's life than just the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral, "Wyatt Earp" came loaded with actors both familiar and new, as one would expect of an old Hollywood epic biopic. It...

James Mangold directed films across genres including rom-coms, dramas, and biopics. He also helmed 2007's 3:10 to Yuma, one of cinema's best Western remakes.

James Mangold's 3:10 to Yuma joins Hulu's streaming library on Mar. 1. This 2007 Western is an impressive remake of the 1957 film, one of cinema's genre-defining classics. With an impressive ensemble led by Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Peter Fonda, and Ben Foster, 3:10 to Yuma is a darker, grittier version of the original, which had a hopeful, triumphant ending. In contrast, James Mangold's remake is character-driven with its complex villain and tragic protagonist. The film was a modest success upon release, and it has since earned a cult following; Western fans consider it a worthy remake, acclaimed by critics and the general audiences.

Related10 Great Movies That Are Actually Remakes

Whether it be 2003's Freaky Friday or 1983's Scarface, many great movies of their time are actually film remakes in disguise.

It's hard to believe that director Sam Raimi, someone who has become synonymous with the horror genre, has only made one real horror movie in the last three decades. It's a testament to the enduring influence and brilliance of his Evil Dead movies (not to mention the underrated superhero horror movie Darkman). Now, the filmmaker is returning to horror with Send Help, which now has a release date. The film will play in theaters on January 30, 2026, and is set to be released by 20th Century Studios.

Per a report by Variety, the announcement was made after Disney, the company that owns 20th Century Studios, made a few changes to the release schedule of their upcoming features. Elio, the latest Pixar-Disney endeavor, has been pushed back one week, and Raimi's Send Help and James L. Brooks' Ella McCay both received theatrical release dates. Let's just hope nothing changes, and...

Among the most recognizable performers in the American entertainment industry, few actors have had a more eclectic career than Sam Elliott. The respected figure has appeared in multiple films and television shows, allowing a wide range of audiences to enjoy his talents. In particular, Elliott's prolific work in the Western genre features some of his best material.

As one of the most stylized genres in fiction, Westerns can evoke several themes in storytelling, construct great action and create several dynamic characters. Thanks to various roles across film and TV, Sam Elliott has a career that encompasses some of the best acting performances of his era.

The Sacketts Details a Journey Amongst Brothers Role: Tell Sackett

Adapting two novels by author Louis L’Amour, the 1979 NBC two-part Western miniseries The Sacketts recounts a tale of three brothers who leave Tennessee and start a new life together in Santa Fe. With an emphasis on classic Western action,...

Gene Hackman has had one of the most diverse careers in Hollywood. While he was perhaps best known for his role as Lex Luthor in Richard Donner's Superman films (a role that Hackman ironically believed would torpedo his career), he was a staple in films like the disaster classic The Poseidon Adventure, Bonnie and Clyde, and Sam Raimi's extremely underrated Western The Quick and the Dead. But after 2004, Hackman hasn't appeared in any major films to date. Looking at his filmography, the last film he ever made was Welcome To Mooseport in 2004 — and to say it's an underwhelming end to a legendary actor's career is an understatement. But what exactly happens in Welcome to Mooseport, and how did it lead to Hackman's retirement?...

Although Tombstone stands out as an exemplary Western, there are several other great films of the genre with comparable quality. Tombstone boasts an incredible cast, headlined by Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer as the iconic Doc Holiday. It’s no surprise that it quickly became a modern Western classic.

Tombstone has been praised for its gripping storyline, legendary characters, and intense showdowns. It doesn’t re-invent the Western but instead delivers on all fronts of the genre very well. While, some Westerns lean into spaghetti Western tropes, and others use horror to subvert the genre, there are a number of Western movies, like Tombstone, that deliver classic Western stories about the American frontier, the people who tried to tame them, and the lengths they’ll go for revenge and justice.

Wyatt Earp (1994) Another Look At The Famous Lawman

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email...

Before his career truly took off, Leonardo DiCaprio was in one of the most underrated Westerns of all time, mostly due to one of his co-stars paying for his wages. Leonardo DiCaprio's filmography is incredibly strong, abd despite being pegged as a youthful heartthrob early in his career, some of DiCaprio's best films also rank among the best of the modern era. Still, there was a time when he was still trying to find his footing in a number of roles, even after his lauded performance in 1993's What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

Prior to the megastardom afforded by the likes of both Romeo + Juliet and Titanic, DiCaprio was cast in a Sam Raimi-directed Western film, which would end up getting lost among his major films both before and after. And his involvement only happened because one of his co-stars saw enough potential in him, years ahead of his break,...

Sharon Stone, the Hollywood legend that starred in films like Basic Instinct and Casino, has called out Sam Raimi, her director in 1995’s The Quick and the Dead, for being disloyal to her after she reportedly gave so much to him: “He didn’t thank me, he didn’t hire me again, he didn’t acknowledge the relationship.”

Stone appeared at the Torino Film Festival, where she spoke about Raimi, and what followed after they worked together in The Quick and the Dead. Also a producer on the film, Stone was involved in making some very important decisions, as she recounted:

“I had my great Italian cinematographer Dante Spinotti, and I was very blessed to produce and to have the opportunity to cast this film. The director Sam Raimi, who I had an opportunity to bring from B movies to A movies, and then he directed Spider-Man and became a very big A movie director.

Since the early 2000s, New Zealand actor Russell Crowe has been a pillar of Hollywood's greatest actors, so it should be no surprise that a whopping eight of his movies are currently available to stream on Netflix. Crowe's career first began in the 1990s with movies like L.A. Confidential and The Quick and the Dead, yet the actor didn't truly rise to fame until 2000, when he took on the leading role in Ridley Scott's Gladiator. From there, Crowe's career exploded, and he led iconic films such as A Beautiful Mind, American Gangster, and Robin Hood.

Notably, Crowe has quite an extensive resume, and it only continues to grow in 2024. This year, Crowe starred in four movies, and though he never actually appeared in Gladiator II, the sequel made it hard to forget about Maximus, one of Crowe's best roles. In this way, Crowe continues to be on audiences' radars...

Director Sam Raimi has directed some truly iconic movies, yet his Western, The Quick and the Dead, is one of his most underrated films of all time, despite poor reviews. Raimi's rise to fame began back in 1981 when he directed the cult classic horror movie, The Evil Dead. From there, the director took on various different genres, from crime thrillers to fantasies. Notably, he helmed the much-loved Spider-Man movies from 2002 to 2007. Yet, one Raimi movie that is often overlooked, and is only now getting the attention it deserves, is his 1995 Western.

The Quick and the Dead is the seventh movie Raimi directed in his career, and is his only Western to date. The movie includes an incredibly star-studded cast, including Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, and more. In the film, Stone plays "The Lady," a gunslinger who travels to the town of Redemption and enters a...

New films arriving to Hulu in the month of December include those that came out in 2024 like Cuckoo, The Inheritance, Storm Crashers, Summer Camp, Flycatcher and more. Christmas favorite Elf arrived on the streamer at the end of November ahead of the holiday season, and Miracle on 34th Street (1994) started streaming on Hulu Dec. 1. Ben Stiller’s new film Nutcrackers also provides a more modern Christmas story.

Beloved classic films coming to Hulu this moth include Cheaper By the Dozen and Cheaper By the Dozen 2, Cast Away and all four Twilight films among others. Ridley Scott’s first Gladiator film will be available to stream starting Dec. 2.

Find the full list of what’s new on Hulu this December 2024 below:

Dec 1

Bunk’d Complete Seasons 1-7 (Disney) Ace of Cakes Season 9 Alaskan Bush People: Seasons 8-11 Bahamas Life: Complete Season 5 Buddy vs. Duff: Complete Season 4 Caribbean Life: Complete...

Picture this: you’ve introduced the world to a revolutionary horror-comedy franchise but still haven’t quite cracked the mainstream. Then along comes Sharon Stone – and we’re talking 1990s Sharon Stone – who is such a fan of your oddball movies that she personally approves you as director for a western starring herself and Leonardo DiCaprio. You’d think you’d be grateful for being ushered into the scene, but according to Sharon Stone, Sam Raimi – director of The Quick and the Dead – has never acknowledged the help.

Sharon Stone, who also served as producer of The Quick and the Dead, is taking credit for putting Sam Raimi on the map. “I had my great Italian cinematographer Dante Spinotti, and I was very blessed to produce [The Quick and the Dead] and to have the opportunity to cast this film. The director Sam Raimi, who I had an opportunity to...

Sharon Stone is a legendary actor in Hollywood. She’s been in a number of iconic roles throughout the decades. And now, given her icon status, she’s unafraid to give her honest opinion about people she’s worked before, such as Sam Raimi, who directed her in the 1995 Western, “The Quick and the Dead.”

Read More: 2024 Fall Film Preview: 50 Movies To Watch

Speaking at a press conference at the Torino Film Festival where she hosted a screening of “The Quick and the Dead,” Sharon Stone talked about the difference between filmmakers Sam Raimi and Martin Scorsese.

Continue reading Sharon Stone Questions Sam Raimi’s “Loyalty” After Working Together On ‘The Quick And The Dead’ at The Playlist.

Recently appearing at the Torino Film Festival in Italy to present her 1995 revisionist western The Quick and the Dead, Sharon Stone dropped the bombshell on Sam Raimi. Without holding her feelings towards the filmmaker, Stone addressed the reason why she never worked with Raimi after the 1995 Western drama.

Sharon Stone in The Quick and the Dead (1995) | image: Sony Pictures Releasing

Blaming Sam Raimi for being disloyal to her and ungrateful for her help, Sharon Stone blasted the Spider-Man director during the event. However, as Stone’s remarks went viral, netizens took to social media to defend Raimi and recall all the events and interviews wherein the filmmaker hailed the actress for her mentorship.

Sharon Stone Blasted Sam Raimi for Being Ungrateful

Often known for her graceful screen presence and s*x appeal, following her appearance in Basic Instinct, Sharon Stone has starred in a myriad of films across different genres.

During a Q&a held at the Torino Film Festival, Sharon Stone reflected on her 1995 revisionist Western film The Quick and the Dead, during which she called out director Sam Raimi for his lack of “loyalty.”

The iconic actress, who was in the northwest Italian city to receive a lifetime achievement award and present the film’s screening, contrasted her experience working with Raimi — then largely known as a cult filmmaker for The Evil Dead and Darkman — to her time with Martin Scorsese on his epic crime drama Casino.

“I had my great Italian cinematographer Dante Spinotti, and I was very blessed to produce [The Quick and the Dead] and to have the opportunity to cast this film,” she said. “The director Sam Raimi, who I had an opportunity to bring from B movies to A movies, and then he directed Spider-Man and became a very big A movie director.

Sharon Stone slams director Sam Raimi 29 years after starring in and producing his 1995 Western movie. 1995 was a big year for Stone, both as an actor and producer. On the performing side, the star garnered her only career Oscar nomination for playing Ginger McKenna in Martin Scorsese’s Casino. Behind-the-camera, Stone acted as producer on one of the year’s quirkier movies, an action-packed Western starring her alongside Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, and directed by Raimi.

The Quick and the Dead gave Stone her first producing credit while giving Raimi’s career a boost, but Stone says Raimi didn’t do right by her after the film was finished, accusing the filmmaker of being disloyal. Stone had occasion to discuss her off-beat Western while presenting the movie at the Torino Film Festival, and when it came to Raimi, she didn’t hold back. Stone slammed her one-time director,...

If one had to describe Sharon Stone's working relationship with director Sam Raimi by a movie title, it would, ironically, be The Quick And The Dead. Stone hired Raimi onto Quick And The Dead after seeing Army Of Darkness, vouching so emphatically for the cult director that she later...

Sharon Stone has only starred in one western, but she’s still quite the sharpshooter. Last week, Stone was at the Torino Film Festival in Italy to present her 1995 revisionist western “The Quick and the Dead” and didn’t hold back in sharing her feelings toward the film’s director, Sam Raimi. Stone produced the film between 1993 and 1994, around the same time she starred in Martin Scorsese’s Las Vegas epic “Casino,” for which she received her only Academy Award nomination. In comparing the two directors, Stone shared that the differences couldn’t be more stark.

“In Sam Raimi’s case, I really liked his films. I thought he was very intelligent and very funny, different from Marty because he’s Italian, he has loyalty, he has that family feeling, and because of it Marty and I still have a relationship and because of it Marty and I still work together,...

Sharon Stone didn’t waste her opportunity, nor mince words, while making a stop in Turin, Italy, as she blamed “uneducated” and “ignorant” Americans for Donald Trump’s election as the 47th President of the United States. During her appearance on the panel to speak with the press, at the Torino Film Festival (Tff), Stone was asked to address the problem of violence against women. And that’s when the actress and Kamala Harris supporter appeared to be calling out certain U.S. voters for President-elect Trump's victory. Stone said in her interview (per TornoFilmFestival):

“We have to stop and think about who we choose for government and if, in fact, we are actually choosing our government or if the government is choosing itself. You know, Italy has seen fascism. Italy has seen these things. You guys, you understand what happens. You have seen this before.”

Stone, who’s...

Sharon Stone has been proving her excellence in acting for decades now, and Basic Instincts, which became her breakthrough role in the entertainment industry, continues to leave fans baffled at her eminence. Not only does she fit perfectly in her role as Catherine Tramell in the erotic thriller-mystery film series, but her performance is still regarded among her best ones to date.

Sharon Stone. | Credits: Basic Instinct / TriStar Pictures.

Surprisingly enough, the role didn’t come to her easily, for, as it turns out, Stone had to go far and wide and to extreme lengths to bag the part. What’s even more surprising is that the one she had to convince wasn’t filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, but rather, it was Michael Douglas – her co-star and equally fitting part of the first film, who played Detective Nick Curran in it.

Michael Douglas Wasn’t Convinced About Sharon Stone for Basic...

Sharon Stone paid Leonardo DiCaprio’s salary for The Quick and the Dead role. ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Talk about a plot twist! Sharon Stone dropped a bombshell in her new memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice. She paid Leonardo DiCaprio’s salary out of her pocket to make sure he got cast in The Quick and the Dead—and the studio didn’t have it. Leo almost didn’t land the role that helped kick off his career because the studio thought he was too unknown. But Stone wasn’t about to let that slide.

So here’s the scoop: DiCaprio nailed his audition, and Stone was sold. She even recalls how Leo crushed a scene where he begged his “father” to love him as he died. “He was the only one who came in and cried,” she said. But TriStar Pictures didn’t see it the same way. They were all like,...

Sharon Stone brought her femme fatale demeanor out in the open and quickly became one of the most recognized actresses of the 1990s. She started her career as a model but soon transitioned to the big screen, thanks to her acting talent. Stone’s movie debut was as an extra in Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories in 1980, after which she appeared in some other projects as well.

But it was 1992’s Basic Instinct that skyrocketed her career and solidified her place in the industry as a versatile actress. While she ruled the screens in the 1990s, she had to take a step back from acting due to a major health issue.

Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct | Credits: Ugc/TriStar Pictures

This was also the same time when instead of helping her cope with her condition, her family and friends took advantage of the situation, and she was left with no money.

Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz Named Wbd Turkey Content Chief

Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz has been named Warner Bros Discovery’s Vice President of Local Original Productions, Local Channels and Streaming Operations Lead for Turkey. Oflaz was previously CEO of streamer BluTV, which Wbd acquired at the end of last year. She will remain in charge of the service, while taking on channel management for TLC and Dmax, plus development and production of local Turkish content. Grigory Lavrov, Vice President of Marketing, Local Brands & Franchise Management, Central & Eastern Europe (Cee) and the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (Menat), who had led TLC and Dmax since 2020, will continue to lead the trade marketing teams across Cee and Menat and take on new responsibilities outside of Turkey. In an interview with Oflaz and Wbd General Manager for Cee, the Baltics, Middle East, Mediterranean and Turkey Jamie Cooke, we reported on how BluTV has become...

One cannot exaggerate how popular Leonardo DiCaprio was in the late 1990s. Not only was the handsome young actor acclaimed for his performances in "This Boy's Life" and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?," but he was also working with interesting directors like Agnieszka Holland (on "Total Eclipse") and Sam Raimi (on "The Quick and the Dead"). He had even became a legit American heartthrob after appearing in the MTV-ready "Romeo + Juliet," a reputation that seemed to become permanent when he starred in James Cameron's 1997 film "Titanic," the then highest-grossing movie of all time.

DiCaprio was deeply beloved by teenage girls everywhere, and one couldn't walk past a magazine rack without seeing Leo's mug. He was the subject of unauthorized video profiles, news stories, and salacious teen magazine spreads. DiCaprio knew about his reputation as a sex symbol and brazenly took advantage; in a 1998 profile in New York Magazine...

New to Netflix on October 14, 2024, Unhinged paints Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe in a flattering villainous light fans want to see more of in the future. The 2020 road rage thriller follows Man aka Tom Cooper (Crowe), a seething motorist who goes off the rails after being confronted at a stop light by Rachel (Caren Pistorius), a single mother fired for running late for work.

Despite Unhinged receiving mediocre marks from critics and general moviegoers, Crowe's smoldering intensity proves he needs to play more fictional bad guys on the big and small screen. While Crowe may always be associated with his Oscar-nominated protagonists in The Insider, Gladiator, and A Beautiful Mind, Unhinged joins a small subset of villainous movie performances Crowe has given that showcase his acting craft and underscore his versatility as an A-lister who can credibly portray heroes and villains alike.

Unhinged

Where to Watchstreamrentbuy

Not available

*Availability in US...