Liza Minnelli Alleges Gene Hackman Was “Dismissive” and “Rude”

Liza Minnelli is opening up about her difficult experience working with Gene Hackman on the 1975 film Lucky Lady. In her new memoir Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, the Oscar-winning Cabaret star recalls that Hackman was “dismissive” and “downright rude” during filming.

Behind-the-Scenes Tensions

Minnelli admitted she agreed to star in Lucky Lady largely because she respected Hackman’s work. However, she says the feeling wasn’t mutual. “It’s hard to go to work when the chemistry is absent,” she wrote, adding that director Stanley Donen later confirmed Hackman’s behavior.

The film, which also starred Burt Reynolds, was shot on a rickety boat off the coast of Mexico. Minnelli described the production as plagued by a “clichéd script” and “nasty tensions behind the scenes.” Critics at the time panned the movie, with Roger Ebert calling it “inconsequential” and The New York Times labeling it “over-produced.”

Reynolds’ Perspective

In his own memoir, Reynolds described Hackman as a “good but tough actor” who sometimes told Minnelli to “shut up” during filming. He noted Hackman wasn’t easy to work with, often changing his approach between rehearsals and takes, which left Minnelli struggling.

Reflections on Hackman

Hackman and his wife were found dead in Santa Fe in 2025. Minnelli wrote that she felt “sad” upon hearing the news, despite their strained working relationship. Donen passed away in 2019, while Reynolds died in 2018.

Lady Gaga Oscars Moment

Minnelli’s memoir also touches on her 2022 Oscars appearance with Lady Gaga. She alleges she was forced into a wheelchair at the last minute, despite expecting to present while seated in a director’s chair. She described Gaga’s gesture of holding her hand as humiliating, writing that Gaga became “someone I didn’t know on Oscar night.”

A Life of Highs and Lows

Beyond Hollywood anecdotes, Minnelli’s memoir explores her relationship with her mother Judy Garland, her sobriety journey, and her decades-long career. By naming names and sharing candid stories, Minnelli offers readers an unfiltered look at the challenges and triumphs behind her legendary career.