Film actor Gene Hackman slapped a homeless man after the homeless man called Hackman’s wife a “c–t”, according to police.
Did we mention the Academy Award winner is now 82?
Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were leaving a restaurant in Santa Fe, N.M. Tuesday afternoon when the homeless man, 63-year-old Bruce Becker, antagonized the couple.
According the police, Becker called Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, a c–t.
After Hackman hit Becker, Becker reported him to the police.
Sgt. Andrea Dobyns told Albuquerque ABC affiliate KOAT-TV,”Our officers got a call from a homeless male who said he’s just been beat up by Gene Hackman. This male got up in his face, assaulted him.”
Police determined it was an act of self-defense, after speaking with both Becker and Hackman.
Dobyns explanined to KOAT-TV, “Mr. Hackman did slap the homeless male across the face.”
“This homeless male actually assaulted him and his wife, put him in fear for his life and his wife’s life,” Dobyns continued.
Don’t get too excited Hackman fans. Dobyns described Hackman’s blow “more like a slap than a punch”. Hackman isn’t that much of a bad ass.
According to the New Mexican, Becker doesn’t exactly have a clean record, spending close to two years in Santa Fe county jail.
Becker pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and abandonment or abuse of a child in 2008 and pleaded guilty to battery on a peace officer in 2009. He also pleaded guilty to arson in 1980.
According to Dobyns, police made no arrests and neither Hackman nor Becker filed any charges.
Hackman retired from acting in 2004, and he and his wife now manage a home furnishings store, Pandora’s Inc.