He was Lex Luthor to Christopher Reeve’s Superman, but could he have been Hannibal Lecter to Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling? This intriguing possibility comes from a surprising 33-page draft script for The Silence of the Lambs found among the late actor Gene Hackman’s belongings, which are set to be auctioned later this month.
The auction includes over 400 items from Hackman’s estate, following his death earlier this year at 95. He won Oscars for The French Connection and Unforgiven, and the collection holds several surprises.
The story of the partial script goes back to Hackman calling Thomas Harris’s The Silence of the Lambs “one of the most cinematic books I’ve ever read” and purchasing a share of the film rights. “Gene wanted to direct and play Hannibal Lecter,” Harris’s agent, Robert Bookman, told Deadline in 2017.
Work on the screenplay was underway when Hackman suddenly backed out, apparently because the material was too dark. Bookman recalled, “Gene Hackman’s daughter read the book and called her father to say, ‘Daddy, you’re not making this movie.'”
The Silence of the Lambs was released in 1991, directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Anthony Hopkins, and it swept the top five Oscars. Hackman’s initial instinct had been spot on.
Anna Hicks, head of private and iconic collections at Bonhams, commented via Zoom from Los Angeles, “I guess he was the original person to latch onto the rights and try to make the movie. Then I found online that people in his own circle were saying, ‘This is too creepy, don’t do it.’ It’s interesting to see he started the project but then decided against it.”
In February, Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. Authorities determined Hackman died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s about a week after Arakawa, 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare illness spread by infected rodents’ droppings.
The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art offers a touching epilogue with annotated scripts, call sheets, posters, and behind-the-scenes photos from films like Mississippi Burning, Runaway Jury, Hoosiers, Unforgiven, and Bonnie and Clyde. It includes Golden Globe trophies and the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award with a handwritten acceptance speech. (Note: The Academy prohibits the resale of Oscars.)
But perhaps the biggest revelation of the auction isn’t movie-related. After retiring from acting in 2004, Hackman left Hollywood for a quieter life in a gated community in Santa Fe, where he explored writing novels, collecting art, and painting.
More than 70 of Hackman’s artworks are for sale and on display at Bonhams in Los Angeles. Hicks said, “He was quite a private person, and this surprises many. People often ask, ‘This whole wall? He did all of this? When did he have the time?’ In the Santa Fe community, we’ve learned more people knew he took art classes from local artists, who are now selling some of his journals from those sessions. His teachers have shared nice quotes about his dedication to mastering his craft.”
She added, “To the global audience, this is unexpected. It’s not something many knew about him, but it’s cool to see behind the artist’s eyes instead of just in front of the camera.”
Among the items being auctioned are Hackman’s personal effects.His collection includes seascapes, still lifes, and copies he made of Henri Matisse’s “Fruits and Bronze” and Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.” He has a special talent for portraiture, though buyers won’t find portraits of his film co-stars; most of his subjects are anonymous, suggesting that his art was kept separate from the Hollywood persona that defined his public life.
Hicks notes that he clearly studied diligently and took his time. “We have sketchbooks that show how he improved over time. That’s one of his strongest areas. There are many Santa Fe landscapes and still lifes as well, but the portraiture is probably my favorite of all his work.”
While working in an artist’s studio, Hackman created a 14-inch-tall bronze bust of Arakawa, a classical pianist who was his wife for over 30 years. The original signed plaster cast is included in the lot. Hicks adds, “We found a book from the studio where he worked that mentions it. He made the mold, and someone else helped him cast it in bronze. It’s beautiful.”
Hicks sees a clear connection between Hackman’s art and the works he collected, especially in the study of the human form and the use of color. His taste spanned various categories, including postwar and contemporary art, Western and Native American art, photography, and prints.
In 1997, Hackman purchased “Figure on the Jetty” by American modernist Milton Avery. The painting, which depicts a lone figure on a jetty looking out to sea, is thought to be inspired by Avery’s summers in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in the late 1950s. It hung in Hackman’s personal library and is expected to sell for between $500,000 and $700,000.
Andrew Huber, Bonhams’ head of 20th and 21st-century art, comments via Zoom from New York: “It’s exactly what you want from a Milton Avery. There’s a good range of colors. It was painted just before a health issue affected him later in his career. Beach scenes of this scale in oil on canvas are in demand, not just in the American market but internationally.”
Other notable works include Richard Diebenkorn’s “Green, 1986,” estimated at $300,000 to $500,000, a color etching considered his most important print from the famous Ocean Park series. There is also a large bronze by Auguste Rodin, estimated at $200,000 to $300,000. The catalog even features a portrait of Hackman by Everett Raymond Kinstler, an artist known for painting U.S. presidents and illustrating comic books.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams has previously managed the estates of celebrities like Lauren Bacall, Diahann Carroll, Siegfried and Roy, and Roger Moore. The Hackman sales include a live auction of 13 premier fine art pieces in New York on November 19, followed by two online sales. Listings start as low as $100 for Hackman’s Winmau dartboard or $600 for his Seiko diver’s wristwatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Gene Hackmans dual identity as revealed by an auction designed with clear questions and direct answers
General Beginner Questions
Q I thought Gene Hackman was just a famous actor Whats this about him being an artist
A A recent auction of his personal artwork revealed that away from the camera Hackman has been a dedicated painter and sculptor for decades establishing a second private career as a visual artist
Q What kind of art did he create
A His artwork included abstract paintings mixedmedia pieces and sculptures The styles were often personal and exploratory quite different from his acting roles
Q Why is this such a big deal Was the art any good
A Its a big deal because he kept this entire part of his life secret The fact that his work was sold at a legitimate auction and attracted buyers shows it was considered serious and valuable confirming his talent beyond acting
Q Why did he keep his art career a secret
A Hackman is famously private and has said he never liked the fame that came with acting He likely pursued art purely for personal fulfillment without wanting the public attention or critique
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q What does this auction reveal about the relationship between his acting and his art
A It suggests that his artistic drive wasnt limited to performing He channeled his creativity into a different more private medium showing that his need for expression was broader and more personal than his public filmography implies
Q Were there any themes or subjects in his artwork that connected to his acting roles
A While largely abstract some pieces hinted at narratives or emotional depths that could parallel the complex characters he often portrayed like isolated figures or textured layered landscapes However his art was generally a separate creative outlet not directly illustrative of his films
Q How does this change the public perception of Gene Hackman
A It adds a layer of depth and complexity Hes no longer seen just as a toughguy actor but as a multifaceted artist who valued creative privacy It enhances his legacy showing a disciplined dedication to craft outside of the Hollywood spotlight
Q What was the market response to the auction Did his fame as an actor influence the arts value
A The artwork sold well indicating strong interest
