Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman has passed away at the age of 95. Reports state that the legendary Hollywood actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their pet dog were found deceased at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday. Betsy was 63.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed their deaths and stated that the case is under investigation.
According to a report in BBC, he said, “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.
However, he did not provide clarity on the cause or time of death.
“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant. This is an active investigation – however, at this time, we do not believe that foul play was a factor,” Mendoza reportedly added.
Gene Hackman had been retired from acting for 20 years and resided in New Mexico with his wife, Betsy, who was a classical pianist.
Gene Hackman, born on January 30, 1930, was an acclaimed American actor and novelist known for his powerful performances and versatility. Over a career spanning decades, he established himself as one of Hollywood’s finest actors, earning multiple awards, including two Oscars, four Golden Globes, and two BAFTAs.
After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he pursued acting and struggled for years before landing breakthrough roles in the late 1960s. His portrayal of Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (1967) earned him his first Oscar nomination. However, it was his role as the tough and relentless detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection (1971) that won him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
In 2004, after starring in Welcome to Mooseport, Hackman quietly retired from acting. Since then, he focused on writing, publishing several historical and thriller novels. However, he largely stayed out of the public eye.
