Veteran actor Gene Hackman made some movie fans’ days this week as he made a rare public appearance and stopped for a photograph.
The French Connection star is considered one of the greatest actors in history but has tended to stay out of the spotlight in recent years.
Gene, 92, retired from acting in 2004 and is very rarely seen, either in new photographs or at public events, much to fans’ dismay.
Which made it all the more special when he made a surprise appearance at the Lensic Center for Performing Arts in Santa Fe for a show Broadway Confidential
The show in question involved a talk with former Saturday Night Live star Ana Gasteyer and Sirius XM Radio host Seth Rudetsky – and Gene’s appearance was such a surprise it doesn’t even seem like they were expecting it.
Radio host Seth took to Twitter after the show where he shared a selfie of him ad Ana with the acclaimed actor, with him and Gene sporting matching grins.
He wrote excitedly: ‘Look who came to our show in Santa Fe! GENE HACKMAN!!!!’
In true fan mode, the host went on: ‘Ah!!! The Posiedon Adventure (sic)!!! My fave!’
The photograph – especially the grinning Gene – absolutely melted film buffs’ hearts as they flocked to the comments to share their love for the actor.
‘This photo has made me smile so much, to see this man smiling and healthy despite being a whopping 92yrs old is absolutely fantastic,’ one fan wrote.
‘The one & only Gene Hackman in great shape!’ another said. ‘One of the best actors of all times. A true giant!’
Another commented that it was ‘a rare glimpse of the great Gene Hackman’, adding he was ‘sorely missed on movie screens.
Plenty commented that it was ‘great to see Gene out and about,’ with others proud that he was clearly ‘enjoying his retirement’.
Hollywood legend Gene is best-known for movies including The French Connection and Unforgiven, both of which he won an Academy Award for.
The icon also received three Oscar nominations and a string of other honours throughout his career, which spanned five decades.
Born in 1930, Gene completed a spell in the US Marines and studied journalism and television before moving into the acting profession.
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