Oscar-Winning Actor Gene Hackman and Wife Found Dead in Their Santa Fe Home

TDT | Manama

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Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed. Hackman was 95 years old.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office released a statement saying, "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."

A Legacy Spanning Over Six Decades

Hackman’s illustrious career in Hollywood spanned more than 60 years, earning him two Academy Awards for his iconic roles in The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992). His gripping portrayal of detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection won him the Best Actor Oscar, while his role as the ruthless sheriff Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven earned him the Best Supporting Actor award.

Hackman also received Oscar nominations for Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988). With more than 100 films to his credit, he was known for his versatility, playing characters ranging from the iconic supervillain Lex Luthor in the Superman films to a conservative senator in The Birdcage (1996).

Tributes Pour In

Following the news of Hackman’s passing, tributes poured in from Hollywood legends. Director Francis Ford Coppola remembered him as "a great artist, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity." Actor George Takei wrote, "Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He was a towering presence and an everyday Joe at the same time. His legacy will live on forever."

Throughout his career, Hackman won numerous accolades, including two BAFTAs, four Golden Globes, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. His final film appearance was in Welcome to Mooseport (2004), after which he stepped away from acting to live a quiet life in New Mexico.

From Military Service to Hollywood Stardom

Born in California in 1930, Hackman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 16, serving for four and a half years in China, Japan, and Hawaii. After his discharge in 1951, he pursued a career in journalism and television production before finding his passion for acting.

Hackman honed his craft at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he befriended a young Dustin Hoffman. Despite early struggles, he broke into Hollywood in the 1960s and quickly became a household name.

"I suppose I wanted to be an actor from the time I was about 10," he once said. "When I saw actors like James Cagney and Errol Flynn, I felt I could do that. But it took me years before I got my break."

A Quiet Retirement

Hackman and his first wife, Faye Maltese, were married for 30 years before divorcing in 1986. He later married Betsy Arakawa, and the couple lived a private life away from the limelight. In 2008, he officially retired from acting, choosing to focus on writing novels instead.

Reflecting on his career, he once said, "I was trained to be an actor, not a star. It really costs me emotionally to watch myself on screen."

Hollywood has lost one of its finest talents, but Gene Hackman’s unforgettable performances will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.