An interview in which Kevin Costner recalled an emotional exchange with Gene Hackman that left him choked up resurfaced Thursday after news of the “French Connection” star’s mysterious death broke.

Kevin Costner once called Gene Hackman "the best actor" he ever worked with, and a resurfaced interview reveals just how much the late star's talent and passion meant to him. A 2017 clip from The Rich Eisen Show has been circulating following the shocking news that Hackman,

The Yellowstone star posted an old interview to his social media in which he said, “Gene was the best actor that I’ve ever worked with.”

Clint Eastwood, who worked with Hackman on Unforgiven and Absolute Power, remembered him in a brief statement on X: “Extremely saddened by the passing of Gene Hackman, He will be deeply missed…” Below are more tributes from stars like Morgan Freeman and Ralph Fiennes.

When Costner shared some wonderful insights into working with Hackman, his older, veteran co-star in the 1987 film, ‘No Way Out,’ he also managed to make himself pretty amazing, too.