Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog have been found dead at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the discovery, stating, “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail. This is an active investigation—however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”
Hackman, aged 95, was a towering figure in Hollywood, earning two Academy Awards over his six-decade career.
His first Oscar came for Best Actor in The French Connection (1971), where he played detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. His second win was in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992).
Born in California in 1930, Hackman’s early life was marked by frequent relocations. At just 16, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving for four-and-a-half years in China, Hawai’i, and Japan before being discharged in 1951.
He later studied journalism and television production at the University of Illinois but ultimately followed his childhood dream of acting.
Hackman’s breakthrough came in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), where he played Buck Barrow, earning his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
He received another nomination in the same category for I Never Sang for My Father (1970) and later a Best Actor nod for Mississippi Burning (1988).
His versatility shone through in over 100 film roles, including playing the villainous Lex Luthor in the Superman films of the late 1970s and 1980s. He also starred in The Conversation, Scarecrow, Young Frankenstein, Reds, Runaway Jury, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Birdcage.
Despite his success, Hackman retired from acting after Welcome to Mooseport (2004) to lead a quieter life in New Mexico.
“I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer,” he told Reuters in 2008.
Hollywood figures paid tribute to the late star. Director Francis Ford Coppola praised Hackman as “a great artist,” saying, “Gene Hackman, a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Valerie Perrine, who starred alongside him in Superman, called him “a genius” and wrote, “His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex Till we meet again.”
Star Trek actor George Takei honored Hackman’s remarkable range, writing, “Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”
Indian actor Anil Kapoor echoed the sentiment, calling Hackman “a true legend whose legacy will live on.”
After divorcing his first wife, Faye Maltese, in 1986 following 30 years of marriage and three children, Hackman found love again with classical pianist Betsy Arakawa.
The couple largely stayed out of the public eye but made a rare joint appearance at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, where Hackman received the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
Though he stepped away from Hollywood, Hackman pursued his passion for writing, channeling his creativity into novels.
Reflecting on his career, he once said, “I was trained to be an actor, not a star. I was trained to play roles, not to deal with fame and agents and lawyers and the press.”
Despite his aversion to the limelight, Hackman’s impact on cinema remains indelible. His legacy as one of Hollywood’s greatest actors will continue to inspire generations.
