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Gene Hackman was acting in self defence when he slapped a homeless man who had become aggressive towards the Oscar-winning actor and his wife, police in New Mexico said.
The incident occurred in the centre of Santa Fe, the Albuquerque Journal reported. Police did not immediately provide any additional details.
Gene and his wife have a home in Santa Fe.
The 82-year-old has won two Academy Awards and been nominated for three others over a career that has spanned five decades.
He took the Best Actor trophy for his portrayal of Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection in 1971, and the Best Supporting Actor award for Unforgiven in 1992.
