Gene Hackman was taken to hospital yesterday (13 Jan 2012) after he was knocked off his bicycle. Gene Hackman had been cycling in the Florida Keys when a truck knocked him over.
Hackman had been cycling at around 3pm in the afternoon on what is known locally as the Old Highway, when a pickup truck hit the back of his bicycle causing him to be thrown onto a grassy verge. The 81-year old Oscar winner was then airlifted to Ryder Trauma Centre at the Jackson Memorial Hospital and was released several hours later after a series of routine tests, according to his publicist Susan Madore. Even though there had been early reports that suggested Hackman had suffered head injuries, Madore further stated to the Daily Mail: ''Gene Hackman was taken to a hospital for routine tests after being bumped from behind while riding his bike today in the Keys. He's suffered minor bumps and bruises and is already on his way home.' The Florida Highway Patrol will be conducting an investigation into how the crash could have happened.
During his career which has spanned over five decades, Hackman has won two Academy awards, out of his five nominations, scooping the Best Actor in 1971 for his portrayal of Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection in 1971 and the Best Supporting Actor award for 'Unforgiven' in 1992. Gene Hackman is most famous for playing Superman's arch-enemy Lex Luthor in three films.