Gene Hackman Sells at Bonhams

Bonhams presented The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art, a one-of-a-kind collection assembled by the legendary late actor Gene Hackman (1930–2025), including exceptional works of Modern and American fine art, personal artworks from the actor, and cinematic memorabilia. In its entirety, the collection boasted phenomenal results, with 100% of its 400+ lots sold, achieving a combined total of $3 million.

American actor Eugene Allen Hackman (January 30, 1930 – c. February 18, 2025) was considered one of the greatest of his generation and a paragon of the New Hollywood movement, with a mainstream acting career spanning over four decades. He received several accolades, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, one Silver Bear and four Golden Globe Awards.

“We are thrilled with the exceptional response and remarkable results achieved across all sales of The Gene Hackman Collection,” commented Anna Hicks, Bonhams Head of Private & Iconic Collections, US. “Spanning Modern and American fine art to cinematic memorabilia, this collection offered an intimate glimpse into Hackman’s creative life, which deeply resonated with collectors and enthusiasts alike, resulting in a perfect sell-through. This achievement underscores Bonhams commitment to presenting cross-category collections that captivate and connect with audiences globally.”

Fine Art

The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art, Part I, the first sale in the series, offered Hackman’s fine art collection and drew a packed New York saleroom on November 19th, setting the tone for the sales to follow.

Headlining the 13-lot sale was Milton Avery’s (1885–1965) Figure on a Jetty, which sold for $508,500. Two works by Richard Diebenkorn (1922–1993) also performed well. Green, widely regarded as Diebenkorn’s most important print of his famous Ocean Park series, sold for $419,600, while High Green, Version II, achieved $152,900, more than double its estimate. Outstanding results were also seen for Fritz Scholder’s (Luiseño, 1937–2005) Dancer, which after competitive bidding achieved $152,900, more than five times its high estimate.

The first online sale in the series, The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art, Part II, closed on November 21 with over 76% of lots in the sale surpassing their estimates.

Headlining the auction, which featured a vast selection of cinematic memorabilia and Hackman’s own fine art, was the actor’s Golden Globe for The Royal Tenenbaums, which achieved $51,200, more than 17x estimate. His other two awards also exceeded their pre-sale expectations, with his Golden Globe for Unforgiven achieving $43,520, more than 14x estimate, and his Cecil B. DeMille Award fetching $33,280, more than 11x estimate.

Additional highlights included:
• Walking Dog by Fritz Scholder (Luiseño, 1937–2005), which exceeded its estimate over 48x when it sold for $48,640.
• Peasant Women by Gene Hackman (1930–2025) After Philipp Malyavin (1869–1940), sold for $28,160, more than 35x its estimate.
• A group of Royal Tenenbaums material, including two signed, handwritten notes from Director Wes Anderson, sold for $8,960, more than 29x estimate.

Personal

The second online sale, The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art, Part III, closed on December 4 with over 82% of lots in the sale surpassing their estimates.

The sale, which included more of Hackman’s own artwork, along with personal items and other memorabilia from his cinematic career, was led by three Steinway grand pianos, which achieved a combined total of $78,080. A major standout in the final sale of the series was Hackman’s personal stainless steel ‘Pepsi’ Quartz Diver’s wristwatch, which exceeded its estimate by over 43x when it sold for $21,760.

Additional highlights included:
• Fruits and Bronze by Gene Hackman (1930-2025) After Henri Matisse (1869–1954) sold for $17,920, more than 17x estimate.
• A Bally Gilligan’s Island Electric Pinball Machine, circa 1990, sold for $9,600, more than 32x estimate.
• Gene Hackman’s Early Treatment for Silence of the Lambs, sold for $5,376, more than 10x estimate.
• A Group of Gene Hackman’s Award Show Material, sold for $4,608, more than 23x estimate.