Gene Hackman, 93, healthy as reclusive star seen for first time in years, two decades from last film

Reclusive actor Gene Hackman, 93, certainly seems to have some good genes, looking healthy when he was first seen in years, having not starred in a movie in almost two decades.

The legendary two-time Oscar winner appeared to be in great shape when he was spotted out and about in his hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Sunday.

Hackman, who has had more than 100 credits to his name, had a busy day when he was seen working in his ranch garden with a shovel in hand.

Before that, the retired actor enjoyed a fast-food lunch in a parking lot in his white van after pulling up to a Wendy’s drive-thru.

The Royal Tenenbaums actor later fueled up in two different ways, as he gassed up and grabbed coffee at a gas station.

Final Role: Definitely a rare sighting for Hackman, as his last movie role was opposite Christine Baranski in the 2004 comedy Welcome To Mooseport.

Hackman was dressed perfectly for an active day, wearing a black Columbia fleece sweater over a gray long-sleeved T-shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers.

He made sure to protect himself from the sun while sporting a pair of black sunglasses and a khaki baseball cap.

His gray hair was tucked behind his ear under his hat while he sported his trademark mustache.

It was definitely a rare sighting for Hackman since his last movie role was opposite Ray Romano and Christine Baranski in the 2004 comedy Welcome To Mooseport.

On July 7, 2004, Hackman gave a rare interview to Larry King in which he announced that he had no new film projects and believed that his acting career was over.

Years later he confirmed his retirement while promoting his third novel Escape From Andersonville in 2008.

In 2011, GQ asked him if he would ever come out of retirement to make one more film, to which Hackman replied, “if I could do it in my own house, maybe, with nothing bothering and just one or two people.” ‘

However, he hasn’t completely stayed away from the industry, having narrated two Marine Corps documentaries: The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima (2016) and We, The Marines (2017).

Taking five: Hackman picked up coffee and snacks while passing a gas station

Fueling up: The actor filled up his gas tank

Break for lunch! The retired actor enjoyed a fast food lunch in a parking lot in his white van after pulling up to a Wendy’s drive-thru.

Hmm! She dug into his hearty burger while inside his car.

Hackman began his acting career nearly 70 years ago when he joined the Pasadena Playhouse in 1956, where he befriended fellow aspiring actor Dustin Hoffman.

He eventually moved to New York and began acting in various off-Broadway plays and smaller television roles in 1963.

The actor really made a name for himself in the 1970s when he was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category for the 1970 film I Never Sang for My Father.

The following year, he officially became a leading man in incredible fashion by winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of New York City detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection (1971).

He went on to have steady work, including 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 shield himself from the sun while sporting a khaki baseball cap.

Doing his thing! The legendary two-time Oscar winner appeared to be in great shape when he was spotted out and about in the city where he resides.

Can I take your order? Hackman appeared to be placing his order at the drive-thru.

In 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 brought him his second Oscar as he won Best Supporting Actor for his work as sadistic sheriff ‘Little’ Bill Daggett opposite Clint Eastwood in 1992’s Unforgiven.

He rounded out that decade by also starring in Narrow Margin (1990), Geronimo: An American Legend (1993), The Firm (1993), The Chamber (1996), Wyatt Earp (1994), The Quick And The Dead (1995), 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 won the Golden Globe for Best Actor – Musical or Comedy for The Royal Tenenbaums’ 2001.

Staying active: The star was also spotted doing some yard work

Putting your best foot forward! The Poseidon Adventure actor kept cozy in sturdy black sneakers.

Leading the way: Hackman appeared to be walking through the parking lot at a leisurely pace

Back in the day: He eventually moved to New York and began acting in various off-Broadway plays in smaller television roles in 1963, he is staged in 1965.

Iconic: Officially made a leading man in incredible fashion by winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of New York City detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection (1971)

Leading man: He went on to have steady work, including 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 brought him his second Oscar when he won Best Supporting Actor for his work as sadistic sheriff ‘Little’ Bill Daggett opposite Clint Eastwood in 1992’s Unforgiven.