Marjorie Ray

a short drive

  • Home
  • Contact

The time Gene Hackman sat down next to me

Gene Hackman was one of my favorite actors when I was growing up. The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, The Conversation; I loved his films.

In 1986, when I was 25, I moved to L.A. I thought I was going to be a famous film director, a female Woody Allen, before I realized what being in the film industry entailed (confidence, hard work, talent).

I was looking for a job when I landed an interview at Creative Artists, “world’s leading entertainment and sports agency.” I arrived early and checked in with the receptionist, who told me to take a seat. Other people were waiting too; we were all nervous.

In walked Gene Hackman. He came over and sat down next to me. I turned into an instant marble statue. With every fiber of my being, I wanted to turn and look at Gene Hackman, say a groovy hello, crack a little joke, smile, ANYTHING, but I couldn’t move.

My hair was pulled back into a ridiculous bun, so I couldn’t hide behind long locks and sneak a glance at Gene.

I don’t know whether he noticed me at all. He might have stared straight forward, like the rest of us, or looked around the room. He could have picked his teeth and I wouldn’t have known. This was the first time I had been close to a famous person (before my interview with Francis Ford Coppola, or the party with Dudley Moore, or waiting on Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue, or serving wine to Michael Douglas, or other exciting things that happened to me when I lived in California).

Me and Dudley Moore
Me with close personal friend, Dudley Moore.

Eventually, I was called in for my interview. I had forgotten why I was there.

I guess people who get flustered over movie stars don’t make great employees of talent agencies. I wasn’t asked back. Didn’t get the job. Only lasted a year in L.A. before moving on to Napa.

If Gene Hackman hadn’t come into my life, who knows where I’d be now.

Me with Marina del Rey neighbor
Hanging out with my neighbor in L.A. after flubbing my Creative Artists interview; it’s Gene Hackman’s fault I didn’t get the job.

Related Posts

June 4, 2016 Filed Under: Humor, Life in California, Memories, Popular Posts Tagged With: Gene Hackman

Comments

  1. Lycia says

    June 4, 2016 at 9:53 pm

    It was their loss! And I bet Gene Hackman was disappointed that you didn’t start chatting him up. After all, it took a lot of courage for him to sit next to the cute blonde. 🙂

Hi, I’m Marjorie

Writer-Blogger-Web-Designer-Marjorie-Ray-Codewryter

This site is my personal blog. Welcome. I design websites at codewryter.com

Popular Posts

Glen Albrecht My Dad with Boat

No matter what ailed you, my dad had the solution

Mike-Negotiating-With-Kangaroo

Learning How to Negotiate in Australia with My Brother Mike

Marjorie-and-Richard

The Things I’ve Learned About Marriage

Me with Marina del Rey neighbor

The time Gene Hackman sat down next to me

Luna-before-Evan-leaves-for-college

The Night Before He Leaves For College

Search:

Contact:

Have a question?
Want to start your own blog?

Get in touch

Connect on Social:

Connect on Social:
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe:

Support crazy bloggers!
Receive new posts by email.

  • Home
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Marjorie Ray · Built by Codewryter