GENE HACKMAN slapped a homeless man who threatened him and cursed at his wife. 

It happened yesterday afternoon outside a restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as Gene and his wife were leaving.

The man reportedly approached them in a threatening manner, then unleashed the profanity.  Hackman slapped the guy across the face, and the guy called the cops. 

He's homeless but he's got a cell phone. This isn't really that uncommon, actually.  Puzzling, yes.  But not uncommon.

Police interviewed Gene and his wife, but they decided the smack was in self-defense, so no charges were filed.  

(E! Online)