Reclusive Gene Hackman, 93, looks fit as he pumps gas, does yard work

Celebrities

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By Andrew Court

March 7, 2023 | 15:32

Talk about good genes.

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman proved he’s still in top shape when he did some gardening on his ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Sunday.

The “Unforgiven” actor – who celebrated his 93rd birthday in January – looked fit and healthy as he swung a shovel on his private property.

Earlier in the day, the two-time Oscar winner was spotted fueling up for physical labor at a local Wendy’s, ordering a meal at the drive-thru.

Hungry Hackman ate his chicken sandwich in the fast food franchise’s parking lot before pumping gas at a nearby station.

It was a rare sighting of the reclusive and retired star, who was last seen on screen in the 2004 comedy “Welcome to Mooseport.”

Despite being one of Tinseltown’s powerhouse performers — starring in classics like “The French Connection,” “The Conversation,” “Superman,” “Hoosiers” and “The Royal Tenenbaums” — Hackman has long avoided the bright lights of Hollywood .

The father of three, who has lived in New Mexico with his pianist wife, Betsy Arakawa, for decades, also refrains from giving interviews — except to The Post.

In late 2021, Hackman gave his first interview in a decade, telling The Post about his “checkered career of hits and misses.”

Speaking on the 50th anniversary of “The French Connection” – the hit film for which he won his first Oscar for best actor in 1972 – the star said: “The film definitely helped me in my career and I’m grateful for that.”

The down-to-earth actor added that he was not a fan of re-watching his own films and hadn’t seen the classic crime caper since 1971.

“(I) haven’t seen the film since that first screening in a dark, tiny screening room in a post-production company facility 50 years ago,” he told The Post.

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Hackman — who previously lived in ritzy Montecito, Calif. — has lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s.

The actor is also an architect and designer who has helped create more than 10 homes — including a New Mexico mansion that was featured in Architectural Digest.

Since retiring from Hollywood, the star has also dabbled in writing novels, including the 2013 police thriller Pursuit.

Hackman is also an avid cyclist, a hobby he has kept up into his 90s that keeps him looking sad.

In 2012, the actor was hit by a pickup truck while riding his bike in Florida. He was transported to the hospital and made a full recovery.