Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Reuters reported on Thursday that police discovered Hackman, his wife—who was a classical pianist—and their pet dog deceased at the scene.
The exact cause of death remains under investigation, but authorities have confirmed there are no signs of foul play or forced entry.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza commented, “At this time, there are no indications of criminal activity, and the cause of death is still being investigated.”
Born in 1930, Hackman served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1940s before deciding to pursue a career in acting in his thirties. He made his acting debut in 1964.
Over the next six decades, Hackman appeared in over 80 Hollywood films across various genres, including action, crime, thriller, and comedy. He first gained widespread recognition in 1967 for his role in Bonnie and Clyde, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Known for playing strong, distinctive male characters, Hackman captured the hearts of both audiences and critics.
Oscar-Winning Actor and Retired in Mid-70s
Hackman’s remarkable talent was recognized with two Academy Awards: Best Actor for The French Connection (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992). His filmography includes iconic films such as the Superman series, No Way Out, Mississippi Burning, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, and The Royal Tenenbaums.
Hackman had lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s and married Arakawa in 1991. He retired from acting in 2004 at 74, citing that he was only offered roles for older characters.
After retiring, Hackman devoted himself to writing and publishing four historical novels, mainly withdrawing from public life. His post-Hollywood years were characterized by peaceful seclusion.
Hackman remained committed to his craft even after stepping away from the silver screen. His historical novels garnered positive reviews, and he also became an advocate for environmental conservation, supporting several local ecological initiatives.
Fans worldwide have expressed shock and sadness at Hackman’s sudden passing, paying tribute to his enduring legacy and the lasting impact he left on the world of cinema.
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