Hackman’s final role was in the 2004 film ‘Welcome to Mooseport’

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

In the wake of Gene Hackman’s death at 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 with Empire magazine. 

“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 wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog — told Empire. “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

He alluded to the physical stress of living in New York City during a 1999 interview with Charlie Rose where 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 with GQ, 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’s Welcome to Mooseport after 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,” he told 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 

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

In 2003, he was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement at 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 

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 the Santa Fe New Mexican early 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.”