Gene Hackman’s Movie Memorabilia Fetches Huge Sum After His Death

Fans of late actor Gene Hackman are spending top dollar to acquire priceless mementoes associated with his career – namely from his 2001 movie The Royal Tenenbaums.

A number of Hackman’s possessions have been sold in lots during a recent series of auctions conducted by Bonhams international auction house.

The sales come some nine months after the two-time Oscar-winner was found dead at 95 at his Santa Fe, New Mexico home, along with his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog.

Officials subsequently said that the actor passed away as a result of heart disease with Alzheimer’s disease complications – one week after his wife, who died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. 

Three Golden Globe awards Hackman won each eclipsed the expected asking prices, Bonhams said.

Hackman won a Golden Globe in 2002 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical playing titular character Royal Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums. The trophy went for more than $50,000, Bonhams said.

Fans of late actor Gene Hackman are spending top dollar to acquire priceless mementoes associated with his career. Pictured in 2003 in LA 

A number of other items were sold that were linked to The Royal Tenenbaums, which was directed by Wes Anderson and starred an ensemble cast of Gwyneth Paltrow, Danny Glover, Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson.

They included a pair of black crew jackets by Brooks Brothers that sold for almost $9000.

Also selling was a 132-page script from the movie wrapped in CAA-branded wrapping.

Three notes written by director Anderson, two of them signed, also sold.

The lot of items related to the artsy motion picture also included a pair of Touchstone Pictures marketing albums; a note from iconic actor Henry Winkler; and an unsigned annotated contract linked to the film. 

Hackman in 1993 collected a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for his performance as Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven. 

The trophy went for more than $43,000, said the auction house.

A Cecil B. DeMille Award Hackman was awarded in 2003 sold for for $33,280, the auction house said.

A number of items sold were derived from Hackman’s 2001 movie The Royal Tenenbaums 

Hackman seen accepting the Cecil B. DeMille award on stage at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 19, 2003

Also included at the auction were pieces of art created by the late actor, famed for his roles in films such as Mississippi Burning, The French Connection and The Poseidon Adventure.

A number of the pieces went for up to $30,000, the auction house said.

Bonhams’ Anna Hicks said the items up for sale ‘offer an intimate portrait of Hackman’s private world.’ 

More than $2 million has been bid, Bonhams said, with another auction set to occur.   

Another auction is set to conclude December 4 titled Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art, Part III.