Drew Barrymore expressed her admiration for “The Royal Tenenbaums” alongside star Bill Murray during a recent taping of “The Drew Barrymore Show,” where they paid tribute to the late Gene Hackman.
Barrymore, a long-time fan of the 2001 Oscar-nominated dramedy, asked Murray about his experience working with Hackman on set.
“Wes Anderson makes exceptional films, and Gene Hackman is a cinematic legend. When you combine them, you know you’re going to get a remarkable movie,” Murray shared, reflecting on the experience.
He noted, however, that Hackman was “a bit irritable” during production, as he was already an esteemed veteran actor at the time.
“To him, Wes Anderson was just a young upstart, and Gene had delivered some of the finest performances in American cinema,” Murray explained. “The pressure he felt was immense, as he kept questioning, ‘What am I doing here with these people?’”
“Yet, his performance was nothing short of brilliant,” he added.
Check out the full video here:
Although Murray is 20 years younger than Hackman, he expressed a deep admiration for the acclaimed actor during filming.
“I observed him closely and empathized with his struggles; his timing and rhythm were incredibly advanced,” Murray commented on the two-time Academy Award winner. “He was exceptionally talented.”
Hackman received a Golden Globe in 2002 for his role in the film, but Murray recalled that he didn’t attend the ceremony to accept the award.
When Barrymore inquired if Hackman acknowledged the film’s significance, Murray confirmed that he did.
“He was not ignorant; he was a sharp individual. Upon seeing the movie, he likely thought, ‘Oh s–t, I acted like a jerk,’” Murray revealed. “I’m sure he recognized the film’s value—it truly is a masterpiece.”
Tragically, Hackman and his wife were found deceased in their Santa Fe home on Thursday morning. The legendary actor was 95 years old.
Murray concluded with a heartfelt farewell to his co-star: “Goodbye, Gene. I hope you are well wherever you are.”
To watch the full clip, check the video above.
This episode of “The Drew Barrymore Show” is set to air on March 5.
The post Bill Murray Lovingly Remembers Gene Hackman as ‘A Little Irritable’ but ‘Great’ While Filming ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
