Bill Murray admits Gene Hackman was ‘really difficult’ on set of award-winning film

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Bill Murray has reminisced on working with Gene Hackman following the shocking news of the actor’s death.

The American movie star, 95, was discovered dead along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, and a pet dog earlier this week.

An investigation has since been launched into the circumstances surrounding the heartbreaking events, as the couple appeared to have been ‘dead for some time’ when they were found.

Ghostbusters star Murray, 74, has now taken a trip down memory lane, recalling his and Hackman’s 2001 project The Royal Tenenbaums, which also featured Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Owen Wilson.

Speaking on The Drew Barrymore Show, which airs in full on Wednesday, Murray praised Hackman as a ‘really, really good’ actor.

However, he also confessed that Hackman was ‘wholly irritable’ on the set.

Gene Hackman and Bill Murray starred together in The Royal Tenenbaums (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

In a preview clip shared online, he said: ‘I sympathise with Gene ’cause, to him, Wes Anderson was like just a punk kid, you know? And Gene’s made some of the greatest American movies.

‘So he was a little irritable, but he had to work with children, dogs … they put him in very challenging positions to work.’

Murray added that Hackman ‘felt a lot of responsibility and kept thinking, “What am I doing here with these people?”‘

He then praised Hackman’s performance in the film, which is about a talented family of former child prodigies who don’t get along, as ‘brilliant.’

Hackman actually won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Royal Tenenbaum. The best actor gong is one of three Golden Globe wins he had.

Murray went on to describe Hackman as ‘really advanced’ with his ‘timing and patters’, adding: ‘When you see the movie, it’s a real piece of work. Wes Anderson makes great movies, and so [did] Gene Hackman. You put them both in the same movie; what are you gonna get? You’re gonna get a good movie.’

Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside their home earlier this week (Picture: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

At the end of the clip, he said solemnly: ‘Goodbye, Gene. I hope you’re well, wherever you are.’

His comments come after Murray gave another interview in which he described Hackman as a ‘tough nut’.

The Riff Raff actor told Associated Press: ‘But he was really good. And he was really difficult, we can say it now, but he was a tough guy.

‘I was watching going, “No wonder this guy wants to throttle people,” and then he gave an ordinary performance and the other actor got it right, and I thought Gene was gonna throw the guy off the ledge of the building.’

It comes after a preliminary medical investigation found Hackman and his wife suffered ‘no external trauma’ ahead of their deaths.

But Hackman’s pacemaker stopped working 10 days ago, cops confirmed during a press conference at the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office on Friday afternoon.

Murray says Hackman was ‘irritable’ on set of the 2001 Wes Anderson project (Picture: James Hamilton/Touchstone/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

‘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,’ said Sheriff Adan Mendoza.

When asked if February 17 was the day Hackman actually died, he replied: ‘According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption, that that was his last day of life.’

Both Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were ‘mummified’ and in a state of decomposition when a maintenance worker found them.

It was initially suspected by Hackman’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth Hackman, that they died of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

However, a search warrant described the scene as having ‘no obvious signs of a gas leak’, but noted the presence of a heater near Arakawa’s head, as well as scattered pills and their deceased dog in a closet. 

Another dog was found unharmed on the property. 

An investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding Hackman’s death (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

In a statement issued after the news broke, Elizabeth, along with her sister, Leslie Hackman, and Hackman’s granddaughter, Annie, said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy. a

‘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.’

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