Super rare pic of unrecognisable Gene Hackman
For the first time in a long time, legendary actor Gene Hackman has been spotted out and about at the age of 93.
The icon had been reclusive in recent years, and these are the first photos of him snapped in a very long time.
The Superman star still seemed fit and looked quite healthy in the snaps taken in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The retired actor was spotted enjoying a fast food lunch at a parking lot after going through the Wendy’s drive-thru.
He is still sporting his signature moustache in the rare sighting.
Hackman’s last movie role was with Ray Romano and Christine Baranski in the 2004 comedy Welcome To Mooseport.
In July 2004, Hackman was interviewed by Larry King, where he announced there were no new film projects lined-up and believed his acting career was over.
Years later, the star confirmed his retirement while promoting his third novel Escape From Andersonville, back in 2008.
In an interview with CQ in 2011, he was asked if he would ever come out of retirement to do another film, and he responded, “If I could do it in my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people.”
CQ also asked him, “how do you want to be remembered?"
“As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion. I don't know, beyond that. I don't think about that often, to be honest. I'm at an age where I should think about it.” He said with a laugh.
Hackman has long been one of the most highly regarded film actors of all time, leading his Mississippi Burning director Alan Parker to state that “he is incapable of bad work. Every director has a shortlist of actors he’d die to work with, and I’ll bet Gene’s on every one.”
The thespian really made waves when he was nominated for an Oscar for the Best Supporting Actor category for the 1970s film I Never Sang For My Father.
A year later, he became a leading man in incredible fashion, winning the Academy Award for Best Actor in his New York City Detective Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle in The French Connection (1971).
Hackman’s career only went up from there, with countless awards under his belt, including two Oscars, two BAFTA awards and two Golden Globes.
Image credit: Getty