Reclusive actor Gene Hackman, 93, certainly looks like he has good genes, as he looked healthy when he was seen for the first time in years, having not starred in a movie in almost two decades.
The legendary two-time Oscar winner appeared to be in great shape while out and about in the city where he lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Sunday.
Hackman – who had over 100 credits to his name – was having a very active day when he was spotted gardening at his ranch with a shovel in hand.
Before that, the retired actor enjoyed a fast food lunch in a parking lot in his white truck after driving into a Wendy’s drive-thru.
The Royal Tenenbaums actor later refueled in two different ways, both pumping petrol and getting a coffee from a gas station.
Stepping out: Reclusive actor Gene Hackman, 93, certainly looks like he has good genes as he looked healthy for the first time in years while out and about in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Sunday
Last Role: It was definitely a rare sighting from Hackman as his last film role was in the 2004 comedy Welcome to Mooseport opposite Christine Baranski
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 black sunglasses and a khaki baseball cap.
His gray hair was tucked behind his ear under the hat while he sported his signature mustache.
It was definitely a rare sighting from Hackman as his last film role was in the 2004 comedy Welcome To Mooseport alongside Ray Romano and Christine Baranski.
On July 7, 2004, Hackman gave Larry King a rare interview in which he revealed that he had no new film projects lined up and believed 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 do another film, to which Hackman replied, “If maybe I could do it in my own house without them disturbing anything and just one or two people . ‘
However, he has not completely steered clear of the industry, having narrated two Marine Corps documentaries: The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima (2016) and We, The Marines (2017).
Take Five: Hackman was picking up coffee and snacks when he stopped by a gas station
Refueling: The actor refilled his 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-thru
Yummy! He tucked into his hearty hamburger while sitting in his car
Hackman began his acting career nearly 70 years ago when he joined the Pasadena Playhouse in 1956, where he became friends with aspiring actor Dustin Hoffman.
He eventually moved to New York and in 1963 began appearing in several Off-Broadway plays and minor television roles.
The actor really made his mark in the 1970s when he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the 1970s film I Never Sang For My Father.
The next year, he incredibly became a leading man when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of New York detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection (1971).
He then went on to work continuously, including on the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation (1974), before landing the role of supervillain Lex Luthor in 1978’s Superman: The Movie.
Hats off to him! He made sure to protect himself from the sun as he wore a khaki baseball cap
Do your own thing! The legendary two-time Oscar winner appeared to be in great shape while touring around the city where he lives
May I take your order? Hackman appeared to be placing his order at the drive-thru
During 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 earned him his second Academy Award, winning Best Supporting Actor for his role as the sadistic Sheriff “Little” Bill Daggett opposite Clint Eastwood in 1992’s Unforgiven.
He rounded out that decade by also appearing in Narrow Margin (1990), Geronimo: An American Legend (1993), The Firm (1993), The Chamber (1996), Wyatt Earp (1994), The Quick And The Dead (1995 ) played along. , 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), Runaway Jury (2003) and even received the 2001 Golden Globe for Best Actor – Musical or Comedy for The Royal Tenenbaums.
Keeping active: The star has also been spotted gardening
Show yourself from your best side! The Poseidon Adventure actor kept it comfortable in sturdy black trainers
On the way: Hackman appeared to be walking leisurely across the parking lot
Then: He eventually moved to New York and began appearing in several Off-Broadway plays and minor television roles in 1963, he is pictured in 1965
Iconic: He officially became a leading man in an incredible way when he won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance as New York detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection (1971).
Leading actor: He continued to work consistently, including on the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation (1974; pictured) before landing the role of supervillain Lex Luthor in 1978’s Superman: The Movie.
Handsome: The talented actor is seen in Deauville, France in 1981
Gunslinger: The 1990s earned him his second Academy Award, winning Best Supporting Actor for his role as the sadistic Sheriff “Little” Bill Daggett opposite Clint Eastwood in 1992’s Unforgiven