Gene Hackman Slaps Homeless Man in New Mexico

Photo credit: trisherovertonOscar winner Gene Hackman admitted to slapping a homeless man across the face Tuesday afternoon, saying the guy approached him and his wife, Betsy, in a menacing manner and called Betsy a derogatory name, Santa Fe, N.M., police confirm to E! News.

Sgt. Andrea Dobyns told E! that the man on the receiving end of the slap called authorities at around 1:30 p.m. to report that he had been beaten up by Hackman.

Officers who responded were able to talk to both the caller and Hackman, who was still in the area after eating at a nearby restaurant.

The “Unforgiven” star told police that the man approached him and Betsy in a very aggressive manner, called his wife a nasty name and otherwise made them fear for their safety.

The man got into his face, according to Hackman, and he hit him, “more like a slap than a punch,” Dobyns said.

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