Police: Hackman knew homeless man (From Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News)

Police: Hackman knew homeless man

6:07pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

A police report says Gene Hackman had given clothes, money and rides to a homeless man he slapped this week after the man became aggressive toward the Oscar-winning actor and his wife.

The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper reports Hackman and his wife told officers they had helped 63-year-old Bruce Becker for several years.

The police report says Hackman rebuffed Becker when he approached them on Tuesday and told him to get a job. Police say Hackman acted in self-defence, and no charges have been filed.

Hackman and his wife have a home in Santa Fe. The 82-year-old actor has won two Academy Awards and been nominated for three others over a career that has spanned five decades.