Mel Brooks remembers how he cast Gene Hackman forYoung Frankenstein. One of the most beloved actors of his generation,Hackman passed away this week at the age of 95. The actor was found dead in his home along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who was 63 years old. Though no foul play was initially suspected in the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa, it’s now under investigation due to suspicious circumstances. In the days since his death, fans and former collaborators likeFrancis Ford Coppolahave taken time to remember the late legend.
Reflecting on Hackman’s career,Brooksrecalled landing the actor forYoung Frankenstein. He explained that hegot connected with the star through “another Gene,” Gene Wilder,with whom Hackman played tennis. Wilder informed Hackman that a role was available in the upcoming movieYoung Frankenstein.
Brooks continued below:
He added, “He said, ‘Do you think Mel would let me play it?I’ve always wanted to do a comedy.‘Needless to say, I was over the moon and he was perfect.”
What This Meant For Gene Hackman And Young Frankenstein
Hackman Was Not Known As A Comedic Actor
Though it sounds like the Wilder connection most directly brought Hackman to the project, the actor was also drawn toYoung Frankenstein’s comedy element. At the time that the spoof was released in 1974,Hackman was mostly known for his dramatic roles,includinghis Oscar-winningThe French ConnectionandThe Conversation. He was also a major star, so taking on a small supporting character was not the most obvious pivot.
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A goofier comedic role was new for Hackman, but it showed the actor’s great potential in this genre. Over three decades later, the star would go on to play Royal Tenenbaum in an iconic comedic role inWes Anderson’sThe Royal Tenenbaums. So, in the end, Hackman andYoung Frankensteinbenefited from this casting. The Brooks film had a great actor in a small role, andHackman got to show off his comedy chops, leading to future opportunities.
Our Take On Hackman’s Young Frankenstein Role
Hackman Ended Up Being A Great Choice For The Part
It’s good that Brooks did land Hackman for this part because he is great in the movie. The actor’s dramatic background is evident because he can play roles with a comedic seriousness while also hamming it up for a character. Ultimately,Young Frankensteinshowcases the impressive depth of Hackman’s talent, as the actor could nail a role, whether it be a flashy leading man or a background comedic player.
