Gene Hackman's emotional Golden Globes tribute: A look back

Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor found dead at 95 alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog, once reflected on his incredible acting career at the 2003 Golden Globes. 

Hackman, who received the Cecil B. DeMille Award, said, "I never wanted to be anything but an actor."

"I truly do," he said of his love for acting, recalling how he was "transported" by films as a young boy. "I knew that there were people behind all of that dream-making, but I chose to believe that this was happening for the first time, for me, on that screen, on that Saturday afternoon."

Hackman also referenced iconic lines from films, including James Cagney's Top of the world, Ma! Top of the world! from White Heat. He concluded, "God help me, I love it."

The 2003 appearance was thought to be Hackman's last awards show outing. He retired from acting after his final film, Welcome to Mooseport, in 2004. 

In a 2011 interview with GQ, Hackman said it would take a lot for him to make another film. "I don't know. If I could do it in my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people."

When asked how he'd like to be remembered, Hackman humbly replied, "as a decent actor. As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion."