Hollywood has long been a breeding ground for rumors, and legendary actor Gene Hackman was no exception. Throughout his illustrious career, whispers of personal secrets followed him, but he always remained tight-lipped about his private life. However, in the wake of his passing, his ex-wife, Faye Maltese, has finally broken her silence—confirming the long-standing rumors that had intrigued fans for decades.
.jpg)
Gene Hackman, known for his powerful performances in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums, was one of the most respected actors of his generation. But outside of his cinematic triumphs, speculation surrounded his personal life, particularly regarding his marriage to Faye Maltese, whom he was married to for 30 years before their divorce in 1986.
For years, there had been persistent rumors about Hackman’s alleged struggles with fame, his intense personality, and the possible reasons behind the breakdown of his marriage. Now, with the actor’s passing, Maltese has finally addressed the truth about their life together.
A Difficult Marriage Behind the Spotlight
In a heartfelt and candid interview, Maltese opened up about the challenges of being married to one of Hollywood’s greatest actors. “Gene was brilliant, but he was also deeply complicated,” she admitted. “There was always this tension between the man I married and the man the world saw on the screen. He carried the weight of his work home with him, and that affected us in ways that most people wouldn’t understand.”
One of the most persistent rumors surrounding Hackman was that he struggled with his temper. For years, insiders had claimed that his intensity, which made him such a captivating actor, could sometimes spill over into his personal life. Maltese confirmed that while Hackman was never physically abusive, he was prone to emotional outbursts and could be difficult to live with. “He had a fire in him,” she said. “Sometimes that fire was passion, but sometimes it was frustration. He demanded perfection from himself and those around him.”
Did Gene Hackman Want to Leave Hollywood Sooner?
Another long-standing rumor was that Hackman had wanted to leave Hollywood much earlier than he actually did. Although he officially retired from acting in 2004, some believed he had been considering walking away from the industry as early as the late 1980s. Maltese confirmed that this was indeed true.
“Gene never truly loved Hollywood,” she revealed. “He loved the craft of acting, but he hated the industry—the politics, the fame, the constant pressure. He used to say that if he could just do the work without all the noise, he’d be a much happier man. That was part of the reason our marriage struggled. He wanted something simpler, but he couldn’t escape the career he had built.”