Gene Hackman at hometown book signing

DANVILLE, Ill., June 6 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman appeared at a book signing last week for his book "Justice for None" in his hometown of Danville, Ill.

Hackman and co-author Daniel Lenihan had been scheduled for a two-hour book signing, but the response was so large they stretched it to four hours, the Champaign, (Ill.) News-Gazette reported Sunday.

"I've been to book signings before," Hackman said. "I was worried no one would show up."

Hackman said he and his co-author write separately, then meet to discuss what they've written.

"We get together once or twice a week over coffee or drinks and critique each other," Hackman said. "I don't think we could write together. For one thing, Daniel uses a computer and I write long hand, but somehow we manage to thrash our way through it all."

Hackman said he hasn't worked as an actor for a year. "I'm getting to an age when acting is very tiring," he said. "I'm happy writing and painting."

Danville is also the hometown of Dick and Jerry Van Dyke, Bobby Short and Donald O'Connor.