Gene Hackman, 93, healthy as reclusive star seen for first time in years, two decades from last film

By Justin Enriquez For Dailymail.com 20:30 08 March 2023, updated 20:40 08 March 2023

Reclusive actor Gene Hackman, 93, certainly seems to have good genes as he looked healthy as he was spotted for the first time in years after not starring in a film for nearly two decades.

The legendary two-time Oscar winner appeared to be in great shape as he was spotted in his hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico on Sunday.

Hackman – who has over 100 credits to his name – had a very busy day as he was seen doing yard work on his farm with a shovel in hand.

Before that, the retired actor enjoyed a fast-food lunch in a parking lot in his white truck after crashing into a Wendy’s drive-thru.

The Royal Tenenbaums actor was later fed two different ways as he pumped gas and grabbed a coffee at a gas station.

Out: Reclusive actor Gene Hackman, 93, certainly seems to have good genes as he looked healthy as he was spotted for the first time in years while in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Sunday Latest role: It was definitely a sight to see Hackman’s rarity since his last film role was alongside Christine Baranski in the 2004 comedy Welcome To Mooseport

Hackman was perfectly dressed for an active day as he wore a black Columbia fleece sweater over a gray long-sleeve T-shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.

He made sure to protect himself from the sun as he wore a pair of black sunglasses and a khaki baseball cap.

His graying hair was tucked behind his ear under his headscarf as he sported his signature moustache.

It was definitely a rare sighting of Hackman as his last film role was alongside Ray Romano and Christine Baranski in the 2004 comedy Welcome To Mooseport.

On July 7, 2004, Hackman gave a rare interview to Larry King, where he stated that he had no new film projects and believed that his acting career was over.

Years later he confirmed his retirement while promoting his third novel Escape From Andersonville in 2008.

In 2011, he was asked by GQ if he would ever come out of retirement to make one more film, to which Hackman replied: ‘if I could do it in my house, maybe, without them bothering me and just one or two people. ‘

He hasn’t completely stayed away from the industry, however, having narrated two Marine Corps documentaries: The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima (2016) and We, The Marines (2017).

Take Five: Hackman grabbed coffee and snacks while stopping at a gas station Casual: Hackman was perfectly dressed for an active day as he wore a black Columbia fleece sweater over a gray long-sleeve T-shirt gray, blue jeans and black sneakers Flashing: The actor filled up the gas tank Lunch break! The retired actor enjoyed a fast food lunch in a parking lot in his white truck after hitting a Wendy’s drive-thruGrab and go: Hackman grabbed a soda and bag of fast food from the Yum joint! He dug into his hearty burger while inside his car

Hackman began his acting career nearly 70 years ago when he joined the Pasadena Playhouse in 1956, where he befriended fellow aspiring actor Dustin Hoffman.

He eventually moved to New York and began performing in several small television roles Off-Broadway in 1963.

The thespian really made his name in the 1970s when he was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category for the 1970 film I Never Sung for My Father.

The following year he officially became a leading man in incredible fashion after winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as New York City Detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection (1971).

He continued to have steady work including the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation (1974) before playing the supervillain Lex Luthor in 1978’s Superman: The Movie.

Hats off to him! He made sure to stay out of the sun while wearing a khaki baseball cap, doing his thing! The legendary two-time Oscar winner looked to be in great shape as he was spotted out and about in his hometown Throwing Shades! He wore his sun on his olive green hat May I take your order? Hackman appeared to be placing his order in the car

In the 1980s he starred in several films including Reds (1981), Under Fire (1983), Hoosiers (1986), No Way Out (1987) and Mississippi Burning (1988).

The 1990s brought him his second Oscar after winning Best Supporting Actor for his work as the sadistic sheriff “Little” Bill Daggett alongside Clint Eastwood in 1992’s Unforgiven.

He finished that decade also starring in Narrow Margin (1990), Geronimo: An American Legend (1993), The Firm (1993), The Chamber (1996), Wyatt Earp (1994), The Quick And The Dead (1995) , Crimson Tide (1995), Get Shorty (1995,) Absolute Power (1997), The Birdcage (1996) and Enemy Of The State (1998).

Hackman continued to be active in the early 2000s with roles in Behind Enemy Lines (2001), Heist (2001), Jury Runaway (2003) and even won the Golden Globe for Best Actor – Musical or Comedy for that year’s The Royal Tenenbaums 2001.

Staying active: The star was also spotted doing some yard work putting his best foot forward! ‘Poseidon Adventure’ actor keeps it comfortable in sturdy black trainers Hollywood star: The thespian really made his name in the 1970s as he was nominated for an Oscar in the category of best supporting actor for the 1970s film “I Never Sang For My Father” making its way: Hackman appeared to walk through the parking lot at a leisurely pace Back in the day: He eventually moved to New York and began performing in a few small roles on television outside -Broadway in 1963, he is pictured in 1965 Iconic: He officially became a leading man in an incredible way as he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as New York City detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection (1971) Leading Man: He went on to have a steady body of work including the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation (1974; photo) before playing the supervillain Le x Luthor in 1978’s Superman: The Movie. Handsome: The talented actor is seen in Deauville, France in 1981 Gunslinger: The 1990s brought him his second Oscar after winning Best Supporting Actor for his work as the sadistic sheriff “Little” Bill Daggett alongside Clint Eastwood in 1992’s Unforgiven