Nathan Lane, Viola Davis and More Stars React to Gene Hackman’s Death: ‘He Was One of Our Greatest’

Gene Hackman’s Hollywood peers remember him fondly.

The actor, who died at age 95 at his home in New Mexico on Weds., Feb. 26, worked with countless stars during his decades-long career, and many paid tribute to him after the news of his death.

“Gene Hackman was my favorite actor, as I think I told him every day we worked together on The Birdcage,” Nathan Lane, who costarred with Hackman in the 1996 comedy, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

“Getting to watch him up close it was easy to see why he was one of our greatest. You could never catch him acting. Simple and true, thoughtful and soulful, with just a hint of danger,” he continued.

“He was as brilliant in comedy as he was in drama and thankfully his film legacy will live on forever. It was a tremendous privilege to get to share the screen with him and remains one of my fondest memories. Rest in peace. Mr. Hackman,” he concluded.

Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in 1974’s The Conversation, also paid his respects

“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,” he wrote in an Instagram caption under a photo of the actor on set.

“I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution,” Coppola continued.

Valerie Perrine, who costarred with Hackman in 1978’s Superman, also mourned him on social media.

“The great Gene Hackman has passed away. He was a genius & 1 of the greatest to grace the silver screen. I had the honor of working with Him on Superman. His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex,” she wrote, referencing his character, villain Lex Luthor. “Till we meet again.”

Rosie O’Donnell, who had Hackman as a guest on her eponymous talk show in 1998, wrote on Instagram, “what an amazing actor he was – one of the best ever.”

Others who admired Hackman’s work from afar also weighed in.

“Loved you in everything!” Viola Davis shared on Instagram while name-checking some of his biggest movies. “The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven — tough, yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you.”

“We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it.  He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was,” George Takei wrote on X. “He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”

Bridesmaids and A Simple Favor director Paul Feig called Hackman’s death “so awful.”

“Gene was such an inspiration to so many of us who love movies,” he wrote on X. “So many brilliant roles. His performance in The Conversation alone changed the way I looked at acting and what actors could bring to a role. Such an amazing career. RIP Mr. Hackman.”

Hackman, his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, 64, and one of their three dogs were all found dead at their home in Santa Fe Summit on Feb. 26, according to The Santa Fe New Mexican, which cited County Sheriff Adan Mendoza.

The sheriff’s office also confirmed to NBC News that there is an investigation into the cause of death, which has yet to be determined, but public information officer Denise Womack-Avila told the outlet, “Foul play is not suspected as a factor.”