Bill Murray says Gene Hackman was ‘really rough on’ Wes Anderson in The Royal Tenenbaums - Murray recalled having to ‘step in’ and ‘defend’ Anderson

Bill Murray has paid an honest tribute to Gene Hackman. Murray described Hackman as one of the greats of the acting profession after his death was confirmed on Thursday, but said he could be a “tough nut” to work with.

Bill Murray delivered an honest remembrance of his “The Royal Tenenbaums” co-star Gene Hackman on Thursday, calling him a “brilliant” actor but saying he was a “tough nut” who was “really rough” on director Wes Anderson.

Of course, “the performance he gave was brilliant,” Murray adds, theorizing that Hackman had to know the juice was worth the squeeze after seeing the film. “When you see the movie, it’s a real piece of work.

And he was really difficult, we can say it now, but he was a tough guy. Older, great actors do not give young directors much of a chance. They’re really rough on them,” said Bill Murray.

Bill Murray is defending his late Royal Tenenbaums co-star Gene Hackman from the film’s “punk” director Wes Anderson.

He admitted that the late actor was "a little irritable" during filming but ultimately came around to director Wes Anderson and the movie.

Wes Anderson is well-known for his list of frequent prominent stars, and Adrien Brody has collaborated with the director on five occasions since 2007.

Bill Murray reveals the lasting scar from his Groundhog Day injury and shares behind-the-scenes stories from the comedy classic.

Bill Murray is remembering his Royal Tenenbaums co-star Gene Hackman, who was found dead in his New Mexico home earlier this week along with his wife and their dog. In a preview for next Wednesday’s (March 5) episode of The Drew Barrymore Show that was posted to the show’s Instagram page,

Following yesterday’s tragic loss of the great Gene Hackman, many who knew him (and even more who simply respected his work) have spoken out about the accomplished star. Now Bill Murray, who appeared with Hackman in Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums has lovingly remembered one of the actor’s final performances,

Bill Murray (right) said he used to have to ‘step in’ to ‘defend’ Wes Anderson from ‘rough’ Gene Hackman (left) while filming ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ (Getty Images) He further ...