Gene Hackman, the legendary actor whose last film appearance was in 2004’s Welcome to Mooseport, has kept a relatively low profile since stepping away from Hollywood. Fans have been curious about what this Academy Award-winning star has been doing in his personal life after hanging up his acting hat. Let's take a closer look at where Gene is now and what he's been up to.
Why Did Gene Hackman Decide to Step Away From Acting?
Let’s rewind to Gene’s early days. Born in 1930, Gene served in the Marine Corps as a young man, but his true passion was acting. After his service, the California native set his sights on Hollywood, where he quickly befriended fellow rising stars like Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall. Gene wasn’t just a bit player—he was destined for greatness. His breakout role came in 1967 when he played Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde, earning his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. That was just the beginning. Over the next few decades, Gene delivered unforgettable performances in films like I Never Sang for My Father, The French Connection, Mississippi Burning, and Unforgiven. Each role cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.
As the years went by, Gene started to feel the pull of a quieter life. By the early 2000s, he wasn’t as active in the acting world, and eventually, he made the decision to retire. In a 2008 interview with Reuters, Gene explained, “I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer. People have been telling me not to say that in case some amazing role comes along, but honestly, I don’t want to do it anymore.”
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Gene also opened up about how his health played a role in his decision to step away from the spotlight. In a 2020 interview with Empire, he revealed, “The final straw was a stress test I took in New York. My doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the condition to handle the kind of stress that comes with acting. It was time to prioritize my health.”
Where Is Gene Hackman Today?
Since retiring, Gene has focused on living a peaceful, fulfilling life away from the chaos of Hollywood. He’s been happily married to Betsy Arakawa since 1991, and together they enjoy a quiet life in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Gene is also a proud father to three grown children—Leslie, Elizabeth, and Christopher—from his first marriage to Faye Maltese. Family has always been a priority for Gene, and now he gets to spend more time with the people who matter most.
But Gene hasn’t completely stepped away from creative pursuits. After retiring from acting, he turned his attention to writing, penning several novels including Payback at Morning Peak and Pursuit. As the author of The Wake of the Perdido Star, Gene continues to express his creativity in new ways. When he’s not writing, he stays active, enjoying outdoor activities like biking and tending to his yard. An insider shared with Closer in 2020, “Gene’s health is great. He still bikes, does yard work, and he’s an amazing handyman. After all the excitement of his career, he truly loves the peaceful life he shares with Betsy.”
