Alec Baldwin smiles as he heads to restaurant after ‘rust’ charges were dropped

Alec Baldwin looked relieved Friday night as he stepped out for dinner after a New Mexico judge dropped involuntary manslaughter charges against him for the 2021 “Rust” shooting that left cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dead.

The “30 Rock” star, 66, smiled with his entourage – including his younger brother Stephen, 58 – outside Casa Chimayo restaurant in Santa Fe, photos show.

The actor had changed from the suit and tie he wore to court that day to a more casual black T-shirt and navy blazer.

Hours earlier, Baldwin had broken down in tears when the judge abruptly dismissed the manslaughter charges against him in connection with the Oct. 21, 2021, shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his western “Rust.”

The father-of-eight was spotted hugging his wife Hilaria Baldwin before the couple got into an SUV.

The couple, currently filming “The Baldwins,” a TLC reality series about life with their kids, have yet to release a statement on the sudden change of heart.

An attorney for Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, said the family respected the court’s decision but still hoped to hold Baldwin accountable for the on-set tragedy.

“We look forward to presenting all of the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins,” attorney Brian J. Panish told Deadline, referring to the civil litigation.

If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison for firing the gun that killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.

During Friday’s hearing, the judge lambasted prosecutors for “willfully” withholding evidence critical to the defense.

Defense attorney Alex Spiro testified during the hearing that a “good Samaritan” brought the sheriff’s department bullets believed to have killed Hutchins – after gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed had already been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Baldwin, who has repeatedly maintained his innocence, reached an out-of-court settlement with Matthew Hutchins for wrongful death in 2023.

Under the judge’s ruling Friday, charges against the “Saturday Night Live” host can no longer be brought.