” Actor Gene Hackman seen with wife Betsy Arakawa in first public outing in decades ” | GNN INFO

Actor Gene Hackman (94) was seen dining in New Mexico with wife Betsy Arakawa (62), using a cane.

The couple dined at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe, where the actor has lived since the 1980s.

Hackman, who celebrated his 94th birthday in January, was seen grabbing a cup of coffee and a slice of apple pie from a local Speedway store this Thursday.

Known for his love of the outdoors, he was dressed in hiking pants, a checkered shirt, a gray vest, a cap, and sunglasses.

While Hackman and Arakawa, a 62-year-old pianist, tied the knot in 1991, they rarely make public appearances together. The last time they were photographed together was 21 years ago, on the red carpet of the 2003 Golden Globe Awards.

During that glamorous event in Los Angeles, Hackman was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment,” with the award presented by Michael Caine and the late Robin Williams.

Since retiring after his role in 2004’s “Welcome to Mooseport,” Hackman has kept a low profile, with sightings of the Hollywood legend becoming increasingly rare.

Reflecting on his career, Hackman admitted, “haven’t seen the film since the first screening in a dark, tiny viewing room in a post-production company’s facility 50 years ago,” acknowledging that the film’s legacy remains uncertain.

“At the time, it seemed to me to be a reverent story of a cop who was simply able to solve and put a stop to a major crime family’s attempt to infiltrate the New York drug scene,” he recalled.

“The film certainly helped me in my career, and I am grateful for that,” Hackman added.