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The legendary actor, and writer from Hollywood, Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025. According to official statements from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office, the bodies of Hackman, 95, Arakawa, 64, and their dog were found during a welfare check after a concerned neighbor alerted authorities.
"Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time however exact cause of death has not been determined," stated the Sheriff's office in their public release. The investigation remains "active and ongoing," with reports indicating the gas company is participating in the inquiry, suggesting possible carbon monoxide involvement.
Hackman's extraordinary career spanned decades, transforming him from a struggling actor to one of cinema's most respected performers. After being discharged from the Marines at 19, he studied at the Pasadena Playhouse where he befriended fellow aspiring actor Dustin Hoffman, though Hackman was ironically kicked out of the institution.
His breakthrough came in his mid-thirties, playing Warren Beatty's brother in 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde," earning his first of five Oscar nominations. Hackman's defining role arrived as Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in 1971's "The French Connection," securing him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
"I doubt I would've become so sensitive to human behavior if that hadn't happened to me as a child — if I hadn't realized how much one small gesture can mean," Hackman once told Vanity Fair in 2013, referring to his father's abandonment when he was 13, a pivotal moment that influenced his perceptive acting style.
The versatile performer portrayed memorable characters across varied genres – from Lex Luthor in "Superman" (1978) to the ruthless sheriff in Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven" (1993), which earned him his second Oscar. His filmography included standout performances in "Mississippi Burning," "Hoosiers," and "The Royal Tenenbaums."
Hackman officially retired in 2004, telling Larry King his career was "probably all over." He later explained to GQ in 2011: "I don't know. If I could do it in my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people," when asked about returning to acting.
In retirement, Hackman pursued writing, co-authoring several novels, and painting. When questioned about his legacy, he humbly responded, "As a decent actor. As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion."
He is survived by his three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese: Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Ann Hackman.
