Nearly 20 years after his last movie, Hollywood legend Gene Hackman has been seen out and about at 93 in a rare outing. Hollywood legend Gene Hackman proved he’s still in tip-top shape as he gardened at his ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Sunday.
The Unforgiven actor — who celebrated his 93rd birthday in January — looked fit and healthy as he brandished a shovel at his private estate.Earlier in the day, the two-time Oscar winner was spotted fuelling up for physical labour at a local Wendy’s, where he ordered a meal at the drive-through.
Hackman chowed down on his chicken sandwich in the fast food franchise’s parking lot before filling up with petrol at a nearby service station.It was a rare sighting of the reclusive and retired star, who was last seen on-screen in the 2004 comedy Welcome to Mooseport.
Despite being one of Tinseltown’s powerhouse performers — appearing in classics such as The French Connection, The Conversation, Superman, Hoosiers and The Royal Tenenbaums — Hackman has long shunned the bright lights of Hollywood.
The father of three, who has lived in New Mexico with his pianist wife, Betsy Arakawa, for decades, also abstains from giving interviews — except to The Post.Since then, he’s lived a quiet life out of the public eye. Picture: Splash News/Media Mode
In late 2021, Hackman gave his first interview in a decade, telling The Post about his “checquered career of hits and misses”.
Speaking on the 50th anniversary of The French Connection — the hit film for which he won his first Best Actor Oscar, in 1972 — the star stated: “The film certainly helped me in my career, and I am grateful for that.”The down-to-earth actor added that he wasn’t a fan of rewatching his own flicks and hadn’t seen the classic crime caper since 1971.
“[I] haven’t seen the film since the first screening in a dark, tiny viewing room in a post-production company’s facility 50 years ago,” he told The Post.Hackman was one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors through his career.
Hackman — who previously resided in ritzy Montecito, California — has lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s.
The actor is also an architect and designer who has helped create more than 10 homes — including a New Mexico manse that was featured in Architectural Digest.
Since his retirement from Hollywood, the star also busied himself writing novels, including the 2013 police thriller Pursuit.
Hackman is also an avid cyclist, a hobby he has maintained into his 90s, that keeps him looking trim.
In 2012, the actor was struck by a ute while riding his bike in Florida. He was airlifted to the hospital and made a full recovery.