Work Lessons From Gene Hackman

   Some actors receive all the glory. Others are consistent and keep working. Gene Hackman has continued writing novels and on his eighty-fifth birthday has little desire to make another movie. Did he make enough? The goal of any actor is to work consistently.

   Hard to believe: after Dustin Hoffman broke through with The Graduate he was offered no roles until Midnight Cowboy. Those films were two years apart, an eternity as the money is running out. Explaining gaps in a resume is aggravating enough, imagine trying to explain why no other roles were offered after an iconic performance.

   Gene Hackman appeared in the other 1967 film that changed the landscape- Bonnie and Clyde. Warren Beatty was the standout performer in that film. Everyone was memorable. Over the next thirty-five years very few actors were more consistent and revered. What does his body of work teach us?

Work Consistently

   Not every movie is great. There are no performances that lead one to believe he lost a bet or had to make a house payment and took the first available script. Work needs to be more than a paycheck.

Make Others Look Good as You Are Doing Well

   The prospect of working with someone well respected inspires others to bring out their best. Anyone can inspire.

Surround Yourself With the Best

   Good directors want to work with good actors and vice versa. This applies in all fields. Be the one who inspires, even if it is no big deal.

Do the Work

   If you're playing the drinking game from The Secret Purpose, that counts. You can work consistently as an everyman. You don't have to be the subject of rumors nor should you do bizarre things to keep your name in the spotlight. Just do the work and do it well. You don't have to receive the most accolades but working well will make others happy that you are contributing.

You Don't Have To Be the Star

   As long as you know your role and do well someone else can play the lead. You might be the glue that holds a project together. All in a day's work.

Be Supportive

   Michael Caine has a similar career and might end up the subject of his own article. I won't cut and paste. Doing well in a supporting role is more memorable than squandering a larger opportunity.

   Everyone can do well. Hopefully all workers in all fields can bring out the best in others as they work along the lines of excellence. The work might be thankless and unsung but consistent excellence is appreciated. You are also allowed to walk away when you have nothing more to say. If you are fortunate enough to meet Gene Hackman, please don't ask if he will make another movie. Anything is possible. If he is satisfied with his body of work, hopefully we all can have a comparable work history that elicits respect.