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Gene Hackman, 93, has become a recluse with much younger wife Betsy Arakawa in New Mexico ranch

The legendary actor retired in Santa Fe, where he paints and writes novels at his ranch in the sole company of his wife

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: Hollywood legend Gene Hackman is reportedly living out his final days as a "sad and lonely" recluse in his desert ranch in New Mexico. Once a beacon of fame and success, the actor starred in more than 90 movies and TV shows, earning two Academy Awards and four Golden Globes during his decades-long career.

However, after spending 40 years in the spotlight, the screen legend decided to bid farewell to his highly publicized and glamorous life and retreated to a much quieter life in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he paints and writes novels at his ranch in the sole company of his wife Betsy Arakawa.

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Gene -- who won Oscars for his performances in  'The French Connection' and 'Unforgiven' respectively -- was spotted on March 5 during a rare public outing to grab Wendy's takeout. “Hungry Hackman chowed down on his chicken sandwich in the fast food franchise’s parking lot before pumping gas at a nearby station,” as reported by the New York Post.

Marriage to Betsy Arakawa

Insiders told Radar Online how the once-busy star, who notably played supervillain Lex Luthor in 1978’s 'Superman', now relies on his second wife Arakawa, 61, to look after their household and walk their three dogs. After divorcing his first wife Faye Maltese in 1986 after 30 years together, Gene met Betsy while she was working at a fitness center he often visited and they started dating in the late '80s. Their romance, however, sparked controversy owing to their sizeable age gap. She was reportedly only 19 while he was 50 when they first crossed paths, making them 31 years apart. Despite the backlash, the doting couple tied the knot in 1991 and have been going strong ever since.

Gene reportedly filed a trust at the time of their nuptials giving Betsy an equal share of his business interests. She is now set to inherit his $80 million estate, and in 2011 the actor also transferred the $750,000 ranch they share to her name. Sources have alleged in the past that Betsy has isolated Gene from his three kids Christopher, 58, Elizabeth, 56, and Leslie, 52. “The word is Betsy has him completely under her thumb,” an insider claimed to Radar Online, adding that his children said they "can't comment" on their father's life. “He is spending the sunset of his life seeing no one other than his wife, Betsy," another source added.

'Happily retired'

An avid cyclist, Gene reportedly purchased a $2,200 electric bike from the Broken Spoke bicycle store near his ranch a couple of years ago. “He drives a beat-up old pickup and is just like anyone else," Store manager Mike Chapman said of the star. "He doesn’t expect special treatment.” Meanwhile, the former actor's rep insisted he is "happily retired," significantly involved in his community, and loves traveling with his wife.

What's more? Gene has reportedly also been spotted having a few drinks at a sleepy watering hole in the quaint hamlet of Tesuque. “He goes to Tesuque Village Market from time to time to drink booze," a source with knowledge told Radar Online. "It’s the only bar in Tesuque. It’s hard not to notice how old he looks.” The iconic thespian was first propelled into the spotlight when he starred in 'Bonnie and Clyde' in 1967, and he went on to star in a slew of beloved movies and TV shows like 'Superman', 'The French Connection' and 'Get Shorty', to name a few.