Hackman’s fellow actors from the 1986 film remembered him as an actor who offered wise advice but hated rehearsing and multiple takes.

Gene Hackman tragically passed away Thursday morning at the age of 95 ... and Brad Long of the popular "Hoosiers" movie took some time to reflect on the experience working with him -- telling TMZ Sports Hackman made life easy on set for the first-time actor!

University of Kansas coach Bill Self once likened a moment in the Jayhawks’ 2022 NCAA Championship victory to a scene in “Hoosiers.”