Oscar-winning American actor, Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe in New Mexico.
A statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff in New Mexico confirmed that both Gene Hackman 95, and his wife 63, were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.
“This is an active investigation – however, at this time, we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office told the BBC, “On 26 February, 2025 at approximately 1:45 p.m., 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.”
Hackman’s illustrious career spanned over six decades, earning him numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, two Baftas, four Golden Globes, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
He was known for his iconic roles in films including ‘The French Connection,’ ‘Unforgiven,’ ‘Bonnie and Clyde,’ and ‘Mississippi Burning’.
Hackman played the role of Lex Luthor in Superman movies in the 1970s and 1980s. His most recent big-screen performance was in ‘Welcome to Mooseport’ (2004).
He won the best actor Oscar for his role as Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in William Friedkin’s 1971 thriller ‘The French Connection’. He also won another Oscar for best supporting actor for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s Western film ‘Unforgiven’ (1992).
Gene and classical pianist Betsy married in 1991. He was previously married to Faye Maltese, with whom he had one son and two daughters: Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Ann Hackman.
