Source reveals how Gene’s death ‘sent shock waves around Hollywood’

DOUBLE Oscar-winner Gene Hackman will be celebrated at the Academy Awards ceremony tomorrow night.

He has been added to the evening’s In Memoriam segment, which will also pay tribute to Britain’s Dame Maggie Smith, as well as Louis Gossett Jr and Gena Rowlands.

Gene Hackman and his wife leaving a dermatology center.

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Gene Hackman, pictured with wife Betsy, will be celebrated at the Academy Awards ceremonyCredit: BackGrid
Gene Hackman holding an Academy Award.

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Actor Gene was a double-Oscar winner himselfCredit: Getty
Oscars red carpet setup at the Dolby Theatre.

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He has been added to the evening’s In Memoriam segmentCredit: Getty

A source said: “Gene’s death sent shock waves around Hollywood. The Oscars schedule is tight but bosses want him in the In Memoriam section, alongside other veterans who died in the last year.”

It comes after data from Hackman’s pacemaker revealed he died nine days before he was found at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

A caretaker who discovered his body — and that of his wife Betsy Arakawa — called 911 on Wednesday.

But experts who analysed 95-year-old Hackman’s pacemaker believe he died on February 17.

Police said full post-mortem test results would take several months but added there was no evidence of carbon monoxide poisoning.

In his emotional 911 call, the unnamed caretaker told emergency services: “I think we just found two or one deceased person inside a house. They’re not moving. Just send someone up here really quick.”

When asked by the operator if the people in the house were breathing, the caller replied: “I have no idea. I am not inside the house.

“It’s locked. But I can see she’s lying on the floor from the window.”

Hackman’s body was found in a wet room, while Betsy’s was discovered in a bathroom.

Initial post-mortem examinations found no sign of “external trauma” on the bodies — but detectives said the deaths were “suspicious enough” to require investigation.

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Scattered pills and an open prescription bottle were found near 63-year-old Betsy.

Police said last night they had taken items including medication, mobile phones, medical records and a 2025 calendar after searching the sprawling property.

A former marine known for his raspy voice, Hackman appeared in more than 80 films during a career that started in the early 1960s.

He won Best Actor at the 1972 Oscars for The French Connection and Best Supporting Actor in 1993 for his role in Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven.