LEGENDARY actor Gene Hackman has been found dead in his New Mexico home, cops have said.
Police in Santa Fe revealed the star, 95, was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog in their plush $3.8 million home on Wednesday.
Cops have said there are no signs of foul play, per the Santa Fe New Mexican.
“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” Adan Mendoza, the Santa Fe County sheriff said.
Police have not revealed a cause of death but shared extra details about the tragic discovery.
“On February 26 2025 at approximately 1.45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased,” a police statement said.
Hackman was last seen publicly with Betsy in March 2024 at a restaurant in Santa Fe.
The Oscar winner appeared frail as he used a cane and grabbed onto his wife’s arm for support when walking.
He previously revealed that one of his only fears in life was death.
“I try to take care of myself. I don’t have a lot of fears. I have the normal fear of passing away,” he told Empire in a 2009 interview.
Lorraine Kelly pays tribute to Gene Hackman as ‘absolute icon’ on Good Morning Britain
“You know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age. I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of fears.”
Hackman was married twice, tying the knot with Faye Maltese in 1956.
The couple had three children – one son and two daughters.
They were married for three decades, divorcing in 1986.
He and classical pianist Betsy had been married since 1991.
Hackman, born in California in 1930, revealed his dad left the family home when he was 13.
He added his dad waved at him when he was playing outside.
“It was a real adios,” he told Vanity Fair in 2004.
“It was so precise.
“Maybe that’s why I became an actor.
Hackman’s last appearance
Gene Hackman’s last public appearance came when he was seen leaving a New Mexico restaurant.
Hackman was spotted holding onto Betsy’s arm while he used a cane on March 28, 2024, during a rare public appearance.
The couple were on a dinner date in Santa Fe, New Mexico, heading into Pappadeaux’s restaurant.
The Hollywood legend had celebrated his 94th birthday just weeks before these pictures were taken.
Earlier in the day, the couple were also seen visiting a local Speedway store, where Gene bought a cup of coffee and an apple pie.
“I doubt I would have 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 served in the US Marine Corps for four years from the age of 16.
He was discharged in 1951 but a year later, his mother died in a house fire.
HEARTFELT TRIBUTES
Floods of messages from fellow Hollywood stars have poured in to remember the acting legend and his special career.
American actor George Takei said Gene’s work “will live on forever”.
“We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,” Takei said.
“He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was.”
The great filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation, remembered him as a “great actor”.
“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity,” Coppola said.
“I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Piers Morgan also paid a touching tribute to the star.
“What an incredibly sad end to a remarkable life. RIP,” he said.
HACKMAN’S AWARDS
Hackman’s breakout moment was in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, where he played Buck Barrow.
But, he was known for starring in Superman movies, and hit films like Mississippi Burning and Unforgiven.
He played the supervillain Lex Luthor in Superman, Superman II, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Hackman also starred in the hit movies Runaway Jury, The French Connection, The Royal Tenenbaums, Unforgiven, and The Conversation.
In 1972, he scooped the Best Actor gong for his role as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection.
He appeared in the movie’s sequel in 1975.
In 1993, Hackman won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the western flick Unforgiven.
Hackman played Little Bill Daggett in the film that also starred Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Anna Thomson.
Unforgiven scooped four Oscars, including Best Picture.
Hackman appeared in four westerns during the 1990s. The others were: Geronimo: An American Legend, Wyatt Earp, and The Quick and the Dead.
Tributes for the Hollywood legend
TOUCHING tributes have poured in from fellow actors and stars following Gene Hackman’s tragic death.
Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation, remembered him as a “great actor”.
“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity,” Coppola said.
“I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
George Takei said Gene’s work “will live on forever”.
“We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,” Takei said.
His last film appearance was in Welcome to Mooseport in 2004, where he played Monroe Cole.
Hackman starred alongside Ray Romano in the movie that revolved around a former US president running to be mayor in his local town.
His glittering Hollywood career included more than 100 acting roles.
He received five Academy Award nominations, winning two Oscars.
He won two BAFTA nominations and three Golden Globes.
Hackman was nominated for eight Golden Globe awards during his career.
A STELLAR CAREER
But, he also appeared on stage. Hackman’s last Broadway appearance came in 1992 when he played Roberto Miranda in the play Death and the Maiden.
When he quit acting, it was feared that the decision was linked to stress.
He admitted he struggled to balance family life with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
Hackman wasn’t just a film star; he starred in TV series such as Brenner and The F.B.I.
But after his final role, he left the bright lights of Hollywood and moved to New Mexico.
He was rarely spotted and liked to enjoy Wendy’s drive-thru meals.
In his later years, he suffered from minor health problems.
In 2012, Hackman was struck by a car when riding his bike.
He was rushed to a Miami hospital with serious injuries.
“Gene’s fine,” his agent Susan Madore said at the time as she downplayed any fears.
“Just a few bumps and bruises.”
The incident happened eight years after his final movie role.
And, it was just weeks before he turned 82.
FINAL SIGHTINGS
The film legend wasn’t often seen in public during his final years, but was snapped at a New Mexico fuel station in 2023.
He was sporting a casual look, wearing a baseball cap and blue jeans.
A year later, Hackman and Betsy were seen grabbing some food at the restaurant Pappadeaux’s in Santa Fe.
The appearance came after he had marked his 94th birthday.
Hackman also spent his final years writing novels – and two of his own were published in 2011 and 2013.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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