‘Hoosiers’ Actor Brad Long Reflects On Working With Gene Hackman

Coach Norman Dale was one in every of Gene Hackman‘s most iconic roles — in “Hoosiers,” one in every of his most memorable films — and now the late actor’s costar is talking out within the wake of the beloved 95-year-old’s demise.

TMZ Sports activities spoke to Brad Lengthy simply hours after the tragic information broke of Hackman’s passing … the place the actor shared his expertise working alongside the Academy Award winner in what was Lengthy’s first film position.

Regardless of having no expertise, Brad, who performed Buddy within the 1986 hit, says Gene was tremendous down-to-earth and “made us really feel snug,” including he by no means made anybody “really feel self-conscious.”

Lengthy says regardless of Hackman coming in with hits like “The French Connection” and “Superman” underneath his belt, he fully embraced the position of Coach Norman.

“He got here in and stated, ‘Hey, I need to go to some highschool practices. I wanna watch the physique language, I wanna watch the verbiage the coaches use,”’ Lengthy informed us.

“I used to be at all times actually impressed at that. Even at that stage of his performing potential, he stated, ‘Hey, I can be taught some issues right here.”’

The 62-year-old stated the movie modified his life, regardless of it being one of many solely occasions he is been in entrance of a digicam.

The previous basketball participant stated Hackman, together with the opposite stars like Dennis Hopper, had been all all the way down to earth … and with out ego.

“Gene at all times gave us actually good recommendation,” Brad stated.

“He stated, ‘The artwork of performing is just not performing with a little bit bit extra power.’ And, I feel that was actually useful going by it. It was intimidating at first, however they did not make us really feel intimidated. They at all times made us really feel welcome and Gene was at all times there to offer us recommendation if we wished it.”

Charles and Babcock additionally caught up with the movie’s director, David Anspaugh (the person behind “Rudy,” as nicely) on “TMZ Dwell” … with the completed filmmaker sharing his expertise working with Hackman.