After the tragic passing ofSupermanstar Gene Hackman,Smallville’sMichael Rosenbaum shared a heartfelt post mourning his fellow Lex Luthor performer. On June 02, 2025,Hackman was found dead in his homealongside wife Betsy Arakawa and one of the couple’s pets. Since then,their deaths have been deemed “suspicious,“though no official cause of death has been shared as of June 19, 2025.
Aside from his delightful and campy portrayal of Lex Luthor, Hackman was an on-screen legend and two-time Academy Award winner forThe French ConnectionandUnforgiven. The actor also had memorable roles inThe Conversation, The Birdcage,andThe Royal Tenenbaums,among many others. He was widely regarded as a consummate professional who will be remembered for his unique and compelling performances.
As mentioned, one such performance was Hackman’s take on Lex Luthor, Superman’s ultimate foe. His Lex was a real estate mogul who sought to use missiles to sink the western US beyond the San Andreas Fault, so that the land he owns will have oceanfront viewing. Wacky, wisecracking, and yet still menacing, Hackman’s Lex remains a fan favorite.
For Rosenbaum, Hackman’s performance as Lex definitely left an impression. Following the latter’s passing, Rosenbaumpostedan image of a signedSupermanposter he received from Hackman reading: “To the second-best Lex Luthor. Love Gene Hackman.” Rosenbaum praised the star, writing: “To my favorite Lex Luthor and one of the all-time greatest actors ever! RIP.”
What Michael Rosenbaum’s Gene Hackman Tribute Means
Rosenbaum’s tribute reveals a genuine respect and reverence for Hackman’s performances both as Lex and in other roles. With a career like Hackman’s, it is unsurprising that his death sent shockwaves through the film industry. Many Hollywood professionalspaid their respects to Hackman, including DC Studios Co-CEO—and Rosenbaum’s close friend—James Gunn, who wrote:“Gene Hackman was truly one of the greatest screen actors of all time. He almost never hit a false note. Always mesmerizing. Rest in Peace, Gene.”
The 8 Gene Hackman Movies That We’ll Always Remember Him By
Gene Hackman’s sad passing gives movie lovers the chance to look back on 35 years worth of great movies that made him a Hollywood legend.
The poster itself also tells an unspoken story about Hackman and Rosenbaum. Hackman signing an autograph for Rosenbaum with “To the second-best Lex Luthor” is a cheeky, somewhat in-character nod to their respective roles as Lex, perhaps denoting a jovial relationship between the two.
Our Take On Michael Rosenbaum’s Gene Hackman Tribute
Lex Luthor has been an iconic villain beloved by DC fans for decades. A big part of why he is so well-known and inseparable from Superman is because of his appearances in other media.Supermanchanged the superhero film landscape in the 1970s, with Hackman’s Lex being an essential element of why the movie worked.
His impact on the character’s longevity and popularity cannot be understated. Hackman’s Lex laid the groundwork for what made an effective movie supervillain, and every subsequent iteration of the character in part followed his lead. As such, it only makes sense thatSmallville’sLex, Rosenbaum, would hold him in high esteem.
Smallville
Cast
Smallville chronicles the journey of Clark Kent, portraying his origins from Krypton to his teenage years on Earth. The series explores his challenges and development leading towards his destiny as the iconic hero, Superman, set against the backdrop of Smallville, Kansas.
Superman
Superman, directed by Richard Donner, stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, an alien from the planet Krypton living on Earth who adopts the persona of Superman to protect humanity. Released in 1978, the film features Gene Hackman as the villain Lex Luthor, who creates a plan that threatens millions of lives. Margot Kidder co-stars as Lois Lane, a journalist at the Daily Planet and Clark Kent’s colleague.
