Gene Hackman

Hackman wins the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as New York City narcotics detective Jimmy Doyle in William Friedkin’s thriller The French Connection. Liza Minnelli presents the award.

Thank you. [Looking at his name in the winner envelope:] That’s what it says . . . . reminds me of my first acting scene ever. It was in New York, and the gentlemen sitting in front of us when we were doing that scene was my acting teacher, and I just have to mention his name: George Morrison. I want to thank him . . . . Thank you.