Social Media Users Defend Gene Hackman After Criticism of His Fashion Choices

Social media has rushed to the defense of legendary actor Gene Hackman, making the Oscar winner the top trending topic on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday afternoon.

The retiree took some slack for his appearance in a recent series of paparazzi photos. In the widely circulated shots, Hackman is seen leaving a gas station holding a cup of coffee and an apple pie. The French Connection star is dressed in comfortable work pants and sneakers along with a button-up shirt, vest, and baseball cap.

Most of the coverage was focused on the sighting itself. Hackman has remained largely out of the public eye since his last film role, 2004’s Welcome to Mooseport. Since then, he’s relocated to New Mexico and embarked upon a furtive career as a novelist.

A few weeks ago, Hackman was spotted out and about with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, for the first time in 20 years. In those photos, Hackman was wearing a similar—but not identical—outfit.

A few outlets decided to chide Hackman for his choice in clothing in the recent photos. Social media users took particular umbrage with one published by The New York Post, which claimed that Hackman’s outfits from the last two sightings were “identical.”

Users immediately took it upon themselves to add context to the photos, deftly explaining the difference between Hackman’s two looks. “The two photos shown with the headline about ‘identical outfits’ are misleading because they are images of Hackman taken during the same day. The outfit worn ‘weeks earlier’ that is referred to involved a completely different shirt and pants; only the vest and hat are the same,” the disclaimer reads.

But for many users, the coverage problem extended beyond the headline. “I see Gene Hackman is trending because of a stupid news article,” wrote @johnfaltzin. “He should be trending for his amazing career.”

“Give the poor guy a bloody break!!!” said @emmaroc33249448. “Most of you will die before you get to his age or be drooling into your porridge in an old folks home or being fed by your nurse. He is doing amazingly!

User @ourethnography put it somewhat more gently, writing, “He's one of the most versatile actors ever, starring in some of my favorite comedies and dramas. I hope I'm still out and about if I make it to my 90s.”

Other users took the opportunity of Hackman’s trending to celebrate his 45-year career, which encompassed everything from dramas to action movies and comedies.

"Stalking Gene Hackman and commenting on his clothes is just weird,” wrote @dodsonandfogg, “but I for one am glad he is still alive and kicking and enjoying his retirement. For me, it's always a toss-up between him and Jack Nicholson as the greatest actor of all time.”