Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead in their New Mexico home, authorities confirmed Thursday. While foul play is not suspected, officials have not disclosed the circumstances of their deaths, and an investigation is ongoing.
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 64, were discovered during a welfare check at their residence around 1:45 p.m., according to Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Avila. The Associated Press’ request for comment from Hackman’s publicist was not immediately returned.
Regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, Hackman was a five-time Academy Award nominee, winning Best Actor for The French Connection (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992). He starred in a range of roles spanning dramas, comedies, and action films, earning a reputation as a versatile and respected performer.
Hackman relocated to Santa Fe in the 1980s, becoming an active community member and serving on the board of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in the 1990s. Unlike many Hollywood icons, he largely avoided the industry’s social scene, officially retiring from acting in the early 2000s. His final major film role was in the 2004 comedy Welcome to Mooseport.
Born in San Bernardino, California, Hackman had a challenging childhood. His father abandoned the family when he was 13, and his mother later died in a fire. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines at 16, later pursuing journalism before shifting to acting. His breakthrough came with Bonnie and Clyde (1967), followed by standout performances in The Conversation, Mississippi Burning, Hoosiers, and The Royal Tenenbaums.
Hackman, known for his no-nonsense attitude toward Hollywood, reluctantly took on some of his most iconic roles, including Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven, after being persuaded by Clint Eastwood.
He was previously married to Fay Maltese, with whom he had three children, before marrying Arakawa in 1991. In his later years, Hackman turned to writing and painting while living on a secluded ranch with a view of the Rocky Mountains.
Source: Swifteradio.com
