Kevin Costner Honors Late Co-Star Gene Hackman

This week, the beloved Hollywood icon Gene Hackman passed away, prompting heartfelt tributes from fans and fellow actors alike. Among them, Kevin Costner, star of Yellowstone, shared a touching homage that has quickly gone viral.

Costner, who starred alongside Hackman in the 1987 neo-noir thriller No Way Out, expressed deep admiration for the legendary actor. On Instagram, following the news of Hackman’s passing, Costner posted a clip from a 2017 interview where he spoke candidly about the impact Hackman had on him. “People always ask me, ‘Who’s the best actor you’ve ever worked with?’” Costner said during the interview with Rich Eisen. “I’ve been fortunate to work with some great actors, but honestly, Gene was the best.”

He also recalled a memorable moment from the filming of No Way Out, where he convinced the director to change the location of a scene so Hackman could be included. Afterward, Hackman approached Costner in the parking lot and shared a personal reflection: “He told me, ‘I’ve been through a divorce, and lately, I’ve been taking on some questionable roles. But seeing you fight for what you wanted today—it reminded me of how I used to feel about acting.’ He said, ‘What you did today was good,’ then got in his car and drove off.”

Alongside the video, Costner wrote, “Gene Hackman was my favorite actor, and I was lucky enough to work with him more than once. This story, which I shared years ago with @richeisen, shows that his generosity and vulnerability ran even deeper than his incredible talent. What may have seemed like a small moment to him was huge for me—as an actor, a man, and even as a director.” He added, “My heart goes out to Gene, his wife, and his family. I’m grateful to have learned from him in this life.”

Gene Hackman was found deceased earlier this week at his home in Santa Fe, alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of their deaths.