- Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95; his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63; and their dog were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Feb. 26. Authorities confirmed no foul play is suspected.
- Hackman, a renowned actor with a five-decade career, starred in iconic films like “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven.” He won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes.
- The cause of death remains undetermined, pending autopsy results.
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Santa Fe authorities discovered legendary actor Gene Hackman, his wife and dog dead at their New Mexico home Wednesday, Feb. 26, during a welfare check. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the deaths and does not suspect foul play.
Deputies responded to a welfare check request at approximately 1:45 p.m. and discovered Hackman, 95; Betsy Arakawa, 63; and their dog deceased. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death.
Who was Gene Hackman?
Hackman was widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most accomplished actors. His career spanned five decades, with roles in critically acclaimed films such as “The French Connection,” “Unforgiven,” “Hoosiers” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.”
He won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes and the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement.
Hackman often portrayed complex authority figures and intelligent yet morally ambiguous characters. He gained recognition in 1967’s “Bonnie and Clyde” and later played the villain Lex Luthor in the “Superman” films of the 1970s and 1980s.
His performances in “The Conversation” and “Mississippi Burning” further solidified his status as a versatile and commanding actor.
What was his life like outside of Hollywood?
Born Eugene Alden Hackman on Jan. 30, 1931, in San Bernardino, California, Hackman grew up in Danville, Illinois. At 16, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a field radio operator and broadcast journalist from 1947 to 1952.
Hackman married his first wife, Fay Maltese, in 1956. They had three children before divorcing in the 1980s.
In 1991, he married Arakawa, a classical pianist. In retirement, he lived in Santa Fe, where he pursued painting, writing and outdoor hobbies.
How is Hollywood reacting?
Tributes have poured in from fellow actors, directors and fans.
Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in “The Conversation,” called him “a great artist” and “an inspiration.” Actor George Takei described him as “one of the true giants of the screen.”
Hackman’s passing comes just days before the Academy Awards, where many in the industry are expected to honor his legacy.
What happens next?
Authorities continue investigating the circumstances of Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths. Officials have not disclosed whether health-related issues or environmental factors played a role.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office stated that further details would be released pending autopsy results.
Fans and colleagues alike remember Hackman as an actor of rare depth and intensity, whose performances left a lasting impact on American cinema.
