Overview

• Nathan Lane described working with Gene Hackman on the 1996 comedy 'The Birdcage' as 'the thrill of a lifetime' during a recent interview on 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.'
• Lane recalled Hackman's ability to seamlessly transition between comedy and drama, likening him to Spencer Tracy for his naturalistic acting style.
• A memorable scene in the film, where Lane and Hackman dance and sing 'I Could Have Danced All Night,' included a humorous ad-libbed exchange that Lane fondly remembered as a 'slight flirtation.'
• Hackman passed away in February at the age of 95, with his cause of death identified as heart disease and advanced Alzheimer's disease; his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died days earlier from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
• Tributes to Hackman have poured in from colleagues and admirers, including Morgan Freeman, who honored him during the Oscars' In Memoriam segment.