Gene Hackman Once Shared the Heartbreaking Reason He Retired from Acting: ‘Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back’

Mar. 15, 2025

American Actor Gene Hackman At the 1993 Academy Awards.Photo:Avalon/Getty

Avalon/Getty

In the wake ofGene Hackman’s deathat the age of 95, fans are looking back at his legendary career, which came to a close two decades ago.Though Hackman spent most of his time out of the spotlight, he did share some insight into his decision to leave acting in 2004 during a 2009 interview withEmpiremagazine.“The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York,” Hackman — who lived his final years in Santa Fe, N.M., where he was found dead on Wednesday, Feb. 26, alongside his wifeBetsy Arakawaand their dog —toldEmpire. “The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”Gene Hackman in the Press Room at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2003.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyHe alluded to the physical stress of living in New York City during a1999 interview with Charlie Rosewhere he was asked whether he’d return to the stage as a performer.“I’d have to be comfortable though,” Hackman said of a potential return. “I’ve lived a soft life too long to camp out. When I lived in New York, it was a cockroach time for me.”Hackman also touched on the subject during a 2011 interview withGQ, revealing that he’d only do more movies if he could do them from home. “In my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people,” he said.Hackman’s final role was in 2004’sWelcome to Mooseportafter which he quietly retired from acting.“I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer,” hetold Reuters in 2008.“I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer.”Fred Savage, Gene Hackman, Marcia Gay Harden Welcome To Mooseport - 2004.Kerry Hayes/20th Century Fox/Kobal/ShutterstockNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The two-time Oscar-winning actor was best known for his roles inThe French Connection, Superman, Hoosiers, The Royal Tenenbaumsand more. He got his start on the stage in the ‘60s before tackling the film and television world.In 2003, he washonored with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievementat the Golden Globes, proudly declaring, “I never wanted to be anything but an actor.”Hackman also wrote two solo novels and co-author three additional novels with his neighbor and friend Daniel F. Lenihan. He spent much of his time at home painting.“I paint. I paint and draw and my wife is a classical pianist, and it has a lot of cultural opportunities,” Hackman told Rose in 1999 when asked about what he does in Santa Fe.Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Hackman attend Mission Hills Pro-Celebrity Sports Invitational.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyOn Wednesday, Feb. 26, Hackman and his wife Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M. home alongside their dog, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed to theSanta Fe New Mexicanearly on Thursday, Feb. 27.The county sheriff’s public information officer, Denise Womack-Avila, said in a statement to NBC News that there is“an active and ongoing investigation”into the couple’s deaths.Womack-Avila added that “foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time, however, the exact cause of death has not been determined.”PEOPLE has reached out to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office for comment and updates on the investigation but did not immediately hear back.

In the wake ofGene Hackman’s deathat the age of 95, fans are looking back at his legendary career, which came to a close two decades ago.

Though Hackman spent most of his time out of the spotlight, he did share some insight into his decision to leave acting in 2004 during a 2009 interview withEmpiremagazine.

“The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York,” Hackman — who lived his final years in Santa Fe, N.M., where he was found dead on Wednesday, Feb. 26, alongside his wifeBetsy Arakawaand their dog —toldEmpire. “The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”

Gene Hackman in the Press Room at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2003.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

He alluded to the physical stress of living in New York City during a1999 interview with Charlie Rosewhere he was asked whether he’d return to the stage as a performer.

“I’d have to be comfortable though,” Hackman said of a potential return. “I’ve lived a soft life too long to camp out. When I lived in New York, it was a cockroach time for me.”

Hackman also touched on the subject during a 2011 interview withGQ, revealing that he’d only do more movies if he could do them from home. “In my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people,” he said.

Hackman’s final role was in 2004’sWelcome to Mooseportafter which he quietly retired from acting.

“I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer,” hetold Reuters in 2008.“I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer.”

Fred Savage, Gene Hackman, Marcia Gay Harden Welcome To Mooseport - 2004.Kerry Hayes/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

Kerry Hayes/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The two-time Oscar-winning actor was best known for his roles inThe French Connection, Superman, Hoosiers, The Royal Tenenbaumsand more. He got his start on the stage in the ‘60s before tackling the film and television world.

In 2003, he washonored with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievementat the Golden Globes, proudly declaring, “I never wanted to be anything but an actor.”

Hackman also wrote two solo novels and co-author three additional novels with his neighbor and friend Daniel F. Lenihan. He spent much of his time at home painting.

“I paint. I paint and draw and my wife is a classical pianist, and it has a lot of cultural opportunities,” Hackman told Rose in 1999 when asked about what he does in Santa Fe.

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Hackman attend Mission Hills Pro-Celebrity Sports Invitational.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Hackman and his wife Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M. home alongside their dog, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed to theSanta Fe New Mexicanearly on Thursday, Feb. 27.

The county sheriff’s public information officer, Denise Womack-Avila, said in a statement to NBC News that there is“an active and ongoing investigation”into the couple’s deaths.

Womack-Avila added that “foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time, however, the exact cause of death has not been determined.”

PEOPLE has reached out to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office for comment and updates on the investigation but did not immediately hear back.

source: people.com