Gene Hackman death latest: Police seeking search warrant for actor's home - as tributes come in for Hollywood legend

Hackman's turn in 'sharp and funny' Antz animation

Hackman's career also included a memorable voice performance in the 1998 animated movie Antz.

He voiced the character of General Mandible. 

Animation fans are among those paying tribute to Hackman online today.

At the time Antz came out, legendary film reviewer Rogert Ebert hailed it as "sharp and funny" and "not a children’s movie, but one of those hybrids that works on different levels for different ages".

The movie was the first animated feature from DreamWorks.

Hackman's performance was praised alongside the film's other stars - such as Sharon Stone, Christopher Walken and Jennifer Lopez.

Hackman's poignant comments on fearing death

In an interview with Empire in 2009, Gene Hackman said he "feared" death.

"I try to take care of myself. I don't have a lot of fears," he said.

"I have the normal fear of passing away. You know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age. I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of fears."

Francis Ford Coppola: 'A great actor, inspiring and magnificent'

American filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has paid respect to the "inspiring" and "magnificent" Gene Hackman.

Coppola produced, wrote and directed The Conversation, which starred Gene Hackman as Harry Caul.

Hackman's Oscar wins

Hackman won his first Oscar in 1972 - picking up best actor for The French Connection.

His second came more than two decades later, in 1993, for Unforgiven, in the best supporting actor category.

He faced stiff competition that year - acting legends Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson were among the other nominees.

A pioneering drag role in The Birdcage

Among Gene Hackman's notable films was the 1996 comedy film The Birdcage, which also starred Robin Williams and Nathan Lanes.

The film followed the story of a gay couple whose son wishes to marry the daughter of a conservative senator, played by Hackman, who in one scene appears in drag.

Talking about the film, critic Amon Warmann told Sky's Wilfred Frost: "It's a sign of his ability to be ahead of the time in that regard. We've obviously come a long way in terms of LGBT representation on screen.

"It wasn't always that way and so to be in a position to make that decision just goes to show his character."

Warmann also said Hackman's list of credits was "incredible" and he brought a lot of "versatility" in his roles.

'Hollywood will miss him greatly'

We're getting more reaction to Gene Hackman's death from the editor of Hollywood Authentic, Jane Crowther.

"He didn't want to be a star, he wanted to be an actor," she tells Gareth Barlow. 

Crowther says his skill as an actor was that he could "portray almost any human emotion - from the Hollywood hardman through to comedy capers".

"He's great in everything," she adds. 

Crowther also says it's poignant that the Oscars are this weekend.

"I think the Hollywood community will miss him greatly this weekend."

Remembering Hackman's Golden Globes honour in 2003 - alongside other acting greats

We're still waiting for Hollywood royalty to wake up and share their tributes to Gene Hackman.

But we're rolling back the years here, with a picture that sums up the acting greats he knew and often worked alongside.

This image is from the 2003 Golden Globe Awards. Hackman is obviously in the middle, holding the prestigious Cecil B DeMille Award.

You'll no doubt recognise the actors either side of him, too - the late and hilarious Robin Williams to the left, and British legend Michael Caine on the right.

Williams and Caine presented Hackman with the award - with Caine calling him "one of the greatest actors" he knows. 

"Gene Hackman in Hollywood is known as an actor's actor, but in my house, he's known as a comedian's comedian," quipped Williams as he presented the award with Caine. 

"Whether it be comedy or drama, you're the most gifted actor in America. You’re also a truly superhuman being," he added.

The award is an honourary one granted to those who have made an "outstanding contribution to the entertainment field".

It's clear as we reflect on his body of work today that Hackman certainly did that.

Clint Eastwood's recent birthday message

Less than a month ago, legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood wished Gene Hackman a happy birthday. 

The pair starred together in the 1992 Western film Unforgiven, which was also directed by Eastwood, 94.

Hackman won a best supporting actor Oscar for the role, one of two he won over his career. 

Hackman 'turned down a lot of plum roles'

Gene Hackman was an "extraordinary actor" who "honed his craft his entire life", film journalist Karen Krizanovich has told Sky's Wilfred Frost.

The journalist said Hackman was a renowned actor "who did not just take any role".

"He turned down a lot of plum roles. He was choosy but he always had a quality and sense of centre that the best actors have," Krizanovich said.

She also said Hackman was an "extraordinary actor who honed his craft his entire life".

"He seemed to have a sense of what a good role was for him. Not what the director or producer thought but what he thought he could do best at," she added.

Looking at his 1971 film The French Connection, for which he won an Oscar, Krizanovich said: "If you haven't seen it go and get it now - it is a performance that lingers in the memory.

"It affects films today, people are always referring to it when they make films today."

'He sums up an era when films were both intelligent and big budget'

Entertainment journalist Caroline Frost has been speaking about Gene Hackman's legacy. 

"He means something to everybody," she said.

"He sums up an era because he was the best at the time - when films were both intelligent and big budget." 

Frost also said Hackman "went from strength to strength" - mainly down to his acting versatility, playing such a vast variety of roles. 

"There was nothing he couldn't do."

-SKY NEWS