Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, along with their dog, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. Hackman was 95.
Authorities responded to a welfare check on Wednesday afternoon and discovered the couple deceased. While an official cause of death has not been determined, police have stated that no foul play is suspected. The investigation remains ongoing.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Hackman became one of Hollywood’s most respected and versatile actors, delivering performances that left a lasting impact on film history.
He won two Academy Awards, first for his portrayal of Detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection (1971), a role that cemented his reputation as a commanding on-screen presence. More than two decades later, he won his second Oscar for Unforgiven (1992), playing a ruthless sheriff in Clint Eastwood’s critically acclaimed Western.
Hackman’s ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters set him apart, whether portraying the menacing Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) or the morally conflicted FBI agent in Mississippi Burning (1988). His career included standout performances in Hoosiers (1986), The Firm (1993), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), and Enemy of the State (1998), among many others.
Born in San Bernardino, California, in 1930, Hackman’s early years were marked by hardship. After his father left the family when he was 13, he eventually joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 16, serving as a radio operator before pursuing his passion for acting.
His journey to Hollywood success was anything but immediate. Before breaking into the industry, he held various jobs, from truck driver to doorman, while studying acting at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he befriended fellow aspiring actors Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall.
His breakthrough came in 1967 with Bonnie and Clyde, earning his first Academy Award nomination and paving the way for a career that spanned more than four decades.
Hackman retired from acting in 2004 after starring in Welcome to Mooseport. He spent his later years in Santa Fe, where he focused on writing, painting, and enjoying a more private life away from Hollywood. Alongside Arakawa, a former classical pianist, he co-authored several historical novels and remained largely out of the public eye.
He is survived by his three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese, who passed away in 2017.
Hackman’s impact on cinema is undeniable. His performances remain a masterclass in storytelling, ensuring his legacy will endure for generations to come.