I don’t know about you, but personally I remember Gene Hackman as the strong, extremely talented actor we all loved for decades.
Of course, Father Time comes for us all in the end, and it’s been some years since anyone saw Gene at all. After his retirement from acting – his last screen credit was 2004 – the Unforgiven star has stayed well away from the limelight. In fact, it’s been so long since people glimpsed so much as a photo of him that a new sighting has become a talking point.
According to reports, Gene, now 93 years old, was recently spotted near his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and we have to say that he looks extremely spright for his age …
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With over 100 on-screen credits to his name, including appearances in well-known blockbusters like A Bridge Too Far, Enemy of the State, and No Way Out, Gene Hackman has long since cemented his status as an all-time legend of cinema.
Born in San Bernardino, California in 1930, Hackman would rise to be one of the titans of Hollywood for many years. A career that stretched six decades saw him become an established leading man, winning two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and two BAFTAs.
Yet after appearing in Welcome to Mooseport in 2004, Hackman retired from acting aged 74.
In a rare interview in 2009, he shed some light on the health issues that forced him to make the difficult decision.
His initial statement back in 2004 read: “I haven’t held a press conference to announce my retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer.
“I miss the actual acting part of it, as it’s what I did for almost 60 years, and I really loved that. But the business for me is very stressful.”
Then, speaking in 2009, he added: “The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York.
“The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”
Of late, sightings of Hackman have been extremely few and far between. As per the Daily Mirror, it’s been years since the actor was seen, but recent shots appear to show him in good shape.
On Sunday, Hackman was busy with yard work and was snapped with a shovel in his hand. He was later seen taking his vehicle to a gas station, dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a fleece sweater over a long grey shirt.
It warms my heart to know that Gene Hackman is yet healthy and well. I used to love most of the projects he was involved in!
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