Lydia Hackman: How Did Gene Hackman’s Mother Die?

Lydia Hackman is the mother of Gene Hackman. Lydia’s son born Eugene Allen Hackman is an author and a retired actor. For his work as an actor, he has received two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and the Silver Bear. He retired from acting in 2004. He is the writer of Payback at Morning Peak [2011].

Lydia Hackman: Bio Summary

Who Was Gene Hackman’s Mother, Lydia Hackman?

Lydia Hackman was born Anna Lyda Elizabeth Gray on 13 May 1905, in Lambton, Lambton County, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Joseph William Gray and Beatrice Anna Gray. Her siblings are Ellen called Nellie P Gray, Frank J Gray, Joseph Francis Gray, Robert Kenneth Gray, Olive May Gray, Richard Louis Gray, Margaret Leslie Gray, and Beatrice Penrose Gray.

Lydia Hackman was Canadian. She is said to have worked as a waitress. She was married to Eugene Ezra Hackman. Eugene operated the printing press for the Commercial News, a local paper. Lydia and her husband Eugene had two sons, Eugene Allen Hackman who became Gene Hackman and Richard Hackman. The family moved from one place to another before settling in Danville, Illinois.

They lived in the house of Lydia Hackman’s mother, Beatrice. Lydia and Eugene Ezra Hackman got divorced after years of being married. Eugene subsequently left the family. Gene Hackman was playing in the street when his father Eugene passed by and just waved at him. “I hadn’t realized how much one small gesture can mean,” he once said of his father leaving. “Maybe that’s why I became an actor.”

After the divorce, Lydia Hackman focused on providing for her children. Her son Gene Hackman wanted to become an actor at age ten. “Acting was something I wanted to do since I was 10 and saw my first movie,” Gene said. “I was so captured by the action guys. Jimmy Cagney was my favorite. Without realizing it, I could see he had tremendous timing and vitality.”

ALSO, READ: Eugene Ezra Hackman: Who Was Gene Hackman’s Father?

Before pursuing a career in the film industry, Gene Hackman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and did several sorts of jobs. Lydia Hackman did her best to provide for her children. According to her son Gene, he “had a troubled youth” adding, “Any lines, or any comfort, direction, or things of that nature, would’ve come from my mother. She and my grandmother were important.”

Lydia lived a very quiet life, away from publicity. She kept her personal life private. She had a close relationship with her famous son Gene Hackman. Thanks to Gene and his ex-wife Faye Maltese, Lydia became the grandmother of Christopher Allen Hackman, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, and Leslie Anne Hackman. Gene and Faye got married in the year 1956.

They divorced in 1986, after three decades of marriage. Gene Hackman fell in love again after meeting classical pianist Betsy Arakawa. He and Betsy dated for some time and got married in the year 1991. They have been married for more than 30 years. They do not have any children together. Gene prefers to keep details of his family life private. “I like to keep my personal life fairly common, so that in my art, one can let go and one can soar,” he said.

Gene Hackman rarely speaks about his children in interviews but he loves them. He has acknowledged that while his children were growing up it was “tough” for them being celebrity kids adding, “I couldn’t always be home with them when they were growing up and then, living in California, they’ve had my success always hanging over their heads.”

Gene Hackman prioritizes his family. He has several acting credits to his name. He is known for his appearances in The French Connection (1971), Unforgiven (1992), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), Mississippi Burning (1988), Superman (1978), and its sequels Superman II (1980) and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987).

ALSO, READ: Richard Hackman: Everything About Gene Hackman’s Brother

Gene Hackman also acted in The Poseidon Adventure (1972), The Conversation (1974), Reds (1981), Hoosiers (1986), No Way Out (1987), Get Shorty (1995), Crimson Tide (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Absolute Power (1997), and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). He retired from acting in 2004. He has also written several books.

How Did Gene Hackman’s Mother Die?

Lydia Hackman died on 30 December 1962, at age 57, in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California, USA. Unfortunately, she lost her life in a fire she accidentally set while smoking. She is said to have been an alcoholic. She reportedly did some drinking and passed out in bed with a lit cigarette which caused the fire. She was laid to rest at Montecito Memorial Park, Colton, San Bernardino County, California, USA. Her ex-husband Eugene Ezra Hackman died on 9 July 1973, at age 70.