10 Actors Who Didn't Want To Be Credited For Horror Movie Roles
8. Gene Hackman - Young Frankenstein
It’s hard to imagine Gene Hackman pleading with Mel Brooks for the chance to play a blind stranger in his 1974 classic Young Frankenstein, but as the story goes, that’s exactly what he did. It’s an uncredited part (on initial release, anyhow) which sees Hackman act under considerable make-up, but he just about walks away with the film.
Hackman was friends with Gene Wilder, with whom he appeared in Bonnie And Clyde, and used his connection to get an in with Brooks, wanting to add some levity to his already-impressive but awfully serious career.
His character spoofs a similar figure from the original novel, a blind man who befriends the monster, unaware of his terrifying physicality. Only Brooks, naturally, takes the notion to its logical comedic breaking point. Hackman tries to teach Peter Boyle’s monster to smoke a cigar, instead burning his thumb; he spills soup on the baffled creature, and gets overzealous when toasting, smashing his wine glass.
Hackman plays this totally straight, allowing the material to speak for itself, and making for one of the most memorable scenes. While he didn’t turn to comedy too often, the chops were undeniable.