Declared as one of the greatest sports movies in film history, the 1986 flick Hoosiers starred the late Gene Hackman as high school basketball Coach Norman Dale. The famed film follows the story of the Huskers and how they went from small-town Hickory,

Gene Hackman, who died at age 95, starred in some of the most critically acclaimed movies ever, including "The French Connection," "Hoosiers" and "Mississippi Burning."

Hackman's portrayal of coach Dale's transformation — and redemption — throughout "Hoosiers" was the heartbeat of the box-office classic.

Though he’d had small roles in movies and on television throughout the early 1960s (he’d been a Marine before that, and had studied journalism and television production on the G.I. Bill), Hackman was 36 before anyone really took notice.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their home with their dog. Hackman was known for "Bonnie and Clyde," "Superman," and "The French Connection."