Gene Hackman is an avid auto racer, pilot, writer, and painter. His declining
health has forced the actor to give up his more dangerous hobbies in favor
of painting. The star decided to put aside his lust for fast cars and flying to
improve his health. He explains, "You need to stay on top of it and once your
reflexes go you're out. Flying is the kind of sport that if you don't stay current
you can get yourself in trouble." He continues, "You start looking at your
mortality and you say, `hey I gotta start taking care of myself a little bit here.
' So I've tried to do that." Instead, Hackman has devoted more time to his
other hobby - painting. He explains, "It's something that I can do without
having 90 people standing around and watching. I've always painted. It's
always been a real love of mine. I don't like showing my work because I
like to keep it private. It's just something that I can do that I can call
my own."
(Gene with Daniel Lenihan)
Internationally acclaimed actor, winner of two Academy Awards, Mr. Hackman
needs no introduction. From Bonnie and Clye to The French Connection to
Superman to The Unforgiven to Crimson Tide to Extreme Measures, Mr. Hackman
is one of Hollywood�s most respected actors, with a career spanning nearly four
decades on stage and in film. Mr. Hackman has channeled his creative talent to
the pen with his first novel, Wake of the Perdido Star (Newmarket Press, 1999),
co-authored with friend Daniel Lenihan, a historical adventure saga set on the sea
in the early 1800s.� WAKE was critically-acclaimed and was a commercial success.
His second novel, Justice for None, also co-authored with friend Daniel Lenihan,
was published by St. Martins Press in 2004.
Actor Gene Hackman pauses for a moment while signing copies of
his first novel, "Perdido Star" at a Borders book store in Chicago on
April 28, 2000. Hackman was autographing his book with co-author
underwater archeologist Daniel Lenihan.
(Photo by Tim Boyle/Newsmakers.
Gene can be seen flying or in planes in many of his movies.
He does fly on his own time but unfortunately there are no
photos available. If any are found they will be added here
of course and at the Updates Page so do check it often.