Bill Murray says Gene Hackman was ‘really rough on’ Wes Anderson in The Royal Tenenbaums - Murray recalled having to ‘step in’ and ‘defend’ Anderson

His performance in Wes Anderson’s “The Royal Tenenbaums” introduced Hackman to a new generation, and his presence helped define the film.

Bill Murray has paid an honest tribute to Gene Hackman. Murray described Hackman as one of the greats of the acting profession after his death was confirmed on Thursday, but said he could be a “tough nut” to work with.

Of course, “the performance he gave was brilliant,” Murray adds, theorizing that Hackman had to know the juice was worth the squeeze after seeing the film. “When you see the movie, it’s a real piece of work.

Bill Murray delivered an honest remembrance of his “The Royal Tenenbaums” co-star Gene Hackman on Thursday, calling him a “brilliant” actor but saying he was a “tough nut” who was “really rough” on director Wes Anderson.

And he was really difficult, we can say it now, but he was a tough guy. Older, great actors do not give young directors much of a chance. They’re really rough on them,” said Bill Murray.

It wasn't his final role, but Hackman's turn in Wes Anderson's family drama is the perfect summation of his talents, writes Empire's John Nugent.

Bill Murray is defending his late Royal Tenenbaums co-star Gene Hackman from the film’s “punk” director Wes Anderson.

Bill Murray said on 'The Drew Barrymore Show' that he 'sympathized' with Gene Hackman, his late 'Royal Tenenbaums' costar, despite him being 'difficult'

It’s a cliché to note the passing of a celebrity with a social media post reading, “Oh, scr*w you, 2025.” But I get it. Especially with the recent deaths of film giants Gene Hackman and David Lynch, two completely different movie world figures whose passing hit me with a rapid,

He admitted that the late actor was "a little irritable" during filming but ultimately came around to director Wes Anderson and the movie.

Gene Hackman enjoy a storied, Oscar-winning career as an everyman actor who mined personal pain to give intense, edgy performances.