A good set of genes, indeed.
In order to show that he is still in great shape, Hollywood veteran Gene Hackman mowed the lawn at his Santa Fe, New Mexico estate.
The 93-year-old “Unforgiven” actor, who celebrated his birthday in January, looked healthy as he held a shovel at his farm.
The two-time Oscar winner was observed earlier in the day placing an order through the drive-thru at a nearby Wendy’s to fuel up for hard work.
Hackman ate his chicken sandwich in the fast food restaurant’s parking lot before filling up on gas at a nearby station.
It was a rare chance to see the retired and reclusive actor, who last made an appearance in the 2004 comedy “Welcome to Mooseport. ”.
Despite being one of the top actors in the business and appearing in classic movies like “The French connection,” “The Conversation,” “Superman,” “Hoosiers,” and “The Royal Tenenbaums,” Hackman has long shied away from the spotlight of Hollywood. ”.
With the exception of interviews with The Post, the married father of three who has lived in New Mexico with his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, does not participate in interviews.
Late in 2021, Hackman spoke with The Post for the first time in ten years and discussed his “checkered career of hits and misses. ”.
Speaking on the occasion of “The French Connection’s” 50th anniversary, the actor said, “The film certainly helped me in my career, and I am grateful for that.”. His first Best Actor Oscar was given to him in 1972 for the hugely popular film “The French Connection.”.
The likeable actor went on to say that he had not seen the classic criminal caper since 1971 and that he didn’t enjoy watching his own movies again.
He admitted in an interview with The Post that he hadn’t seen the film since it was first shown 50 years prior in a small, dark theater at the headquarters of a post-production company.
After living in affluent Montecito, California, Hackman relocated to Santa Fe in the 1980s.
More than 10 homes, including a mansion in New Mexico that was featured in Architectural Digest, were designed and built with the actor’s help.
Since leaving Hollywood, the actor has kept busy writing books, such as the 2013 police suspense novel “Pursuit.”. ”.
Hackman also likes to cycle, a hobby he kept up into his 90s and which keeps him in shape.
2012 saw the actor hit by a pickup truck while bicycling in Florida. He was helicoptered to the hospital, where he made a full recovery.
