Santa Fe, New Mexico – Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home on Wednesday, along with their dog. Hackman was 95, and Arakawa was 63. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed their deaths on Thursday, stating that there were no immediate signs of foul play. The exact cause and time of death have not yet been disclosed, and an investigation is ongoing.
A Legendary Acting Career
Gene Hackman was widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, with a career spanning over six decades. He won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection (1971). His second Oscar came in 1992 for Best Supporting Actor for his role as “Little” Bill Daggett in Unforgiven.
Hackman’s range of roles included the iconic villain Lex Luthor in Superman (1978), a paranoid surveillance expert in The Conversation (1974), and a determined coach in Hoosiers (1986). He also earned critical acclaim for his performances in Mississippi Burning (1988) and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), the latter earning him a Golden Globe.
Early Life and Rise to Stardom
Born Eugene Allen Hackman on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, Hackman joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 16. After serving, he pursued journalism and radio before eventually turning to acting. His breakthrough came with Bonnie and Clyde (1967), in which he played Buck Barrow, earning his first Academy Award nomination. From there, he became a household name, delivering some of cinema’s most memorable performances.
A Life Beyond Hollywood
In 1991, Hackman married Betsy Arakawa, and the couple later relocated from Los Angeles to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they lived until their passing. Hackman retired from acting in 2004 after his final role in Welcome to Mooseport and shifted his focus to writing historical fiction novels.
Ongoing Investigation
Sheriff Mendoza assured the public that there is no threat to the community. However, authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths. Hackman is survived by his three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese: Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne.
