The dazzling films of Gene Hackman stand out for sports fan for one reason: His unforgettable role as Norman Dale, coach of the feel-good, state champion Hickory Huskers from a tiny Indiana town.

Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor, died at the age of 95. Hackman, his wife and their dog were found dead inside their New Mexico home, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.

Actor Gene Hackman gave a commanding performance in his role as coach Norman Dale in the 1986 film "Hoosiers." Here's how to stream it.

Gene Hackman's dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans for a single reason: his unforgettable role in "Hoosiers" as coach Norman Dale.

The Athletic placed “Hoosiers” at No. 15 on its list of the top 100 sports movies, with “Rocky” taking first. On Rotten Tomatoes, “Hoosiers” is ranked as the No. 53 best sports movie with a certified fresh score of 91%. “Hoosiers” did not win any Academy Awards — unlike AP’s runner-up “Rocky,” which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1977.

To the people in the Henry County town that’s about a 40-minute drive east of Indianapolis, Hackman is more than an actor, but someone who helped shine light on basketball and the Hoosier community, leaving a legacy for generations to come.

In Norman Dale, Gene Hackman, whose death was announced Thursday, created a man with understated strength, a taskmaster with emotional intelligence and a tormented winner.

Gene Hackman was a veteran actor in his 50s when 'Hoosiers' was released in 1986. Former Hickory Huskers and 'Hoosiers' producer remember Hackman

You might think of him first as Lex Luthor or Popeye Doyle or Little Bill Daggett or even as the blind hermit who sets Peter Boyle’s thumb ablaze. But chances are, if you are both a sports fan and a movie buff,