Bill Murray said on 'The Drew Barrymore Show' that he 'sympathized' with Gene Hackman, his late 'Royal Tenenbaums' costar, despite him being 'difficult'

So he was a little irritable, but he had to work with children, dogs … they put him in very challenging positions to work.’ Murray added that Hackman ‘felt a lot of respo

Murray remembered wincing as he witnessed the scene, thinking to himself, "Oh, God. ... No wonder this guy wants to throttle people."

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,

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 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.

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

Gene Hackman's death left other Hollywood figures, including Bill Murray, Francis Ford Coppola and Dustin Hoffman shocked and saddened.

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

In the wake of Gene Hackman ’s passing, many have shared their memories of the legendary actor, reflecting on his remarkable career and presence in Hollywood. Among those remembering him is Bill Murray ,

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.

Director Francis Ford Coppola, actor Viola Davis and director Paul Feig are among those paying tribute to Gene Hackman after his death at age 95.