Gene Hackman, the actor whose turns in classics like “The French Connection" and “Unforgiven” made him one of the most respected actors in Hollywood, died.

One of the first major film stars to break out in the 1970s, Gene Hackman was the epitome of New Hollywood. An actor with livewire intensity, he had a grit and brusqueness that few others could ever match,

After news of Gene Hackman's shocking death, Variety looks back on his career in photos, from "The French Connection" to "Superman" and more.