After a successful run as an actor, Crimson Tide star Gene Hackman retired in 2004 at 74. His acting career, which spanned almost five decades, started with Hollywood classics like Bonnie & Clyde(1967), The French Connection(1971), and The Conversation(1974). The multiple award-winner starred in more productions, including Superman and Unforgiven, which earned him his second Oscar.
After bowing out, Gene became a novelist while living in New Mexico, penning several books like Payback at Morning Peak and Pursuit. His last TV appearance was on the season 5 episode of Guy Fieri’s show, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, where the Flavortown Mayor interviewed Gene as they discussed the Mexican cuisine of a diner in Santa Fe.
Gene is a regular at the Santa Fe diner
For the “What’s For Breakfast” episode, Guy made a stop at Harry’s Roadhouse to showcase the cuisine, highlighting the Philadelphia delicacy scrapple included in the menu. Guy interviews the locals, including Gene, who joked about enjoying his anonymity until the camera came in and teased the show host about his hair.
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Seeing Gene in his element as a relaxed, regular customer at the diner was beautiful, and the whole time he got almost the same flavor of attention as the other locals. Guy referred to him as “the nicest guy,” which is ironic talking about someone who played the villain in most of his movies. Other celebrities like Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and Oscar-winning Matthew McConaughey have also been on the show, but Gene’s appearance stands out as his last so far and contrasts his usual portrayal on screen.
Gene’s thoughts on one last act
When asked if he would make a comeback with one more film in a 2011 GQ interview, Gene responded, “I don’t know. If I could do it in my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people.” After stepping away from the Hollywood spotlight, Gene showed up for some interviews, including two Marine Corps-produced documentaries, being a Marine veteran himself.
His last movie, Welcome To Mooseport, was a sad flop, averaging only 13% on Rotten Tomatoes. The comedy, which featured Gene’s character in political competition with Ray Romano’s Harry Harrison, was a significant decline from 2003’s fairly-performing Runaway Jury, where he plays antagonist to John Cusack.
Without saying that time he was randomly in an episode of Diners, Drive Ins and Dives what's ur favorite Gene Hackman movie pic.twitter.com/tjnLtI650E
— Untitled Colonel Sanders Biopic (@IAmNotRonHoward) April 28, 2023