Gene Hackman was known more for his dramatic work than his comedic turns, but he had a touching (and meaningful) reason for making The Birdcage.

Nathan Lane remembers working with the late Gene Hackman on "The Birdcage" as "the thrill of a lifetime." Sitting with Stephen Colbert on "The Late Show" Tuesday, the actor shared that one of the more memorable scenes between their characters in the 1996 Mike Nichols movie actually featured unscripted ad-libs that made it all the more memorable.

While promoting his upcoming Hulu sitcom Mid-Century Modern, Nathan Lane paid tribute to his costar in The Birdcage.