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The very private Gene Hackman will be allowed to retain some of that privacy posthumously, at least for a few more weeks.

Almost three weeks after the two-time Oscar winner and spouse Betsy Arakawa were discovered dead at their Santa Fe home, a New Mexico judge Monday granted their estate’s request to seal medical records. As well, Judge Matthew Wilson has sealed all police photos and video footage of the couple’s bodies and one of their dogs when they were found February 26.

Suffering from Alzheimer’s and heart disease, the 95-year-old Hackman is assumed to have died on or about February 18, according to New Mexico authorities. That was almost a week after 63-year-old Arakawa is said to have died as a result in part of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a disease primarily spread by rodents’ feces, as state medical officials and Santa Fe County Sheriff Adam Mendoza revealed.

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Chicago – Oscar winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arawaka were found dead in their New Mexico home on February 26th. Arawaka died of a rare lung infection, the 95-year-old Hackman succumbed to natural causes. Photographer Joe Arce captured this Exclusive Portrait of Hackman in 2000.

The mystery and circumstances surrounding the couple’s death stayed in the headlines for weeks. They both had been deceased for several days before being discovered, and at first is was speculated that carbon monoxide poisoning might have been the culprit. But as the investigation continued, it was determined that Ms. Arawaka had died first on or around February 11th of a rare lung infection, and Hackman … suffering from Alzheimer’s disease … died one week later.

Actor Gene Hackman in 2000

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Gene Hackman was born in San Bernardino, California, but the family settled in Danville,...

Gene Hackman's death has been among the biggest tragedies that have hit Hollywood so far this year. When he was found dead on February 26, the actor was 95 years old. He had a decades-long career that began with an uncredited role as a cop in the 1961 movie Mad Dog Coll. Hackman then played a series of small roles in TV shows and films before having one of his first breakout roles, playing a supporting character in Bonnie and Clyde, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.

Four years after Bonnie and Clyde, Hackman's role as Jimmy Doyle in The French Connection would solidify his stardom. After being nominated for Oscars for his supporting roles in Bonnie and Clyde and I Never Sang for my Father, The French Connection earned him his first win. He would later be nominated for two more Academy Awards, winning again for his supporting role in Unforgiven.

One of the last movies of the late Gene Hackman has entered the Netflix Top 10 Global Movies chart 22 years after its initial release. Hackman was one of the most revered and successful actors in movie history, and enjoyed a strong filmography, which included a diverse mix of both blockbusters and character-driven dramas. He shot to prominence with early roles in movies like Bonnie and Clyde and I Never Sang For My Father before achieving global recognition and leading man status with the role of Popeye Doyle in William Friedkin's crime thriller The French Connection.

Hackman won an Oscar for his performance and reprised his role in the follow-up The French Connection II. He then went on to star in a number of successful and critically acclaimed box office hits, including Superman, Superman II, Mississippi Burning, and Unforgiven, for which he won his second Oscar. The '90s brought less critical acclaim,...

Gene Hackman, nothing less than a titan of the screen, has left us. He was announced dead at the age of 95, along with his wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their dogs, under strange circumstances that are still being investigated. Hackman left the world with a career full of iconic performances, including two Oscar-winning turns in The French Connection and Unforgiven, as well as nominations for Bonnie and Clyde, I Never Sang For My Father, and Mississippi Burning.

This is only scratching the surface of his legacy; mainstream audiences most likely recognize him as Lex Luthor in the 1978 Superman, as the mix of comedy and menace he brought to the role defined one of the most iconic versions of that character. Hackman actually retired from acting in 2004, citing how the intensity of being on set was having effects on his heart condition. Yet one of his final roles in The Royal Tenenbaums,...

Words cannot express the monumental loss of Gene Hackman, arguably the finest actor of any Hollywood generation. As investigators sift through the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Hackman, his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs, pointing fans toward one of Hackman's final TV appearances may help ease the pain.

In 2008, well into retirement, Hackman briefly appeared on The Food Network's culinary road show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Humble, humorous, down-to-earth, and as natural in front of non-famous locals as he was in front of a movie camera, Hackman's delightful cameo sheds insight into his small-town New Mexico life post-Hollywood.

Gene Hackman Was a One-of-a-Kind Performer

For younger crowds who may be unaware of Gene Hackman's unparalleled acting greatness, the two-time Oscar winner amassed 101 credits from 1961 to 2004. After breaking out in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, Hackman showcased tremendous range and natural onscreen charisma across all genres.

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died from heart disease and complications related to Alzheimer’s, while his wife, Betsy Arakawa, succumbed to a rare respiratory illness, according to findings released by New Mexico authorities. The couple, who had lived privately in Santa Fe for decades, died about a week apart in their home before being discovered on February 26.

A forensic report from the New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner’s office detailed that Hackman, 95, passed away due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor. His pacemaker reportedly stopped functioning on or around February 17, indicating the estimated time of his death. Autopsy results showed no signs of trauma, but evidence suggested Hackman had not eaten for several days prior to his death.

Arakawa, 65, died first, likely on February 11, after contracting Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (Hps), a severe respiratory illness linked to exposure to rodent droppings. According to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza,...

One legend of cinema paid tribute to another on Sunday night as Morgan Freeman took to the stage at the Oscars and paid tribute to Gene Hackman. Having starred together in Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, there could be no one better to deliver the kind of tribute that Hackman deserved. The speech was made ahead of the Academy's in memoriam section, which also featured tributes to James Earl Jones, Maggie Smith, David Lynch, and the many other stars that have been lost in the last year. In his speech, Freeman said:

“This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman. I had the pleasure of working alongside gene on two films, ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Under Suspicion.’ Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work. Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy.

The Oscars paid tribute to Gene Hackman during Sunday’s ceremony, with the actor’s “Unforgiven” co-star Morgan Freeman introducing an honor for the late star. The speech preceded the ceremony’s in memoriam, honoring the industry figures who have died in the previous year.

“This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,” Freeman began in his speech. “I had the pleasure of working alongside gene on two films, ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Under Suspicion.’ Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work.”

“Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,'” Freeman continued. “I think I speak for us all when I say, ‘Gene, you will be remembered for that, and so much more.

The news of Gene Hackman’s death saw tributes from all generations of Hollywood pouring over the last week, and one of the latest comes from the actor who had the impossible task of taking over one of Hackman’s best-known roles. Michael Rosenbaum starred as Superman villain Lex Luthor in the TV series Smallville, decades after Hackman made the part iconic with his performance in Christopher Reeves’ comic book movies. In a personal tribute, the actor shared an image of a poster signed by Hackman, citing him as “the second best Lex Luthor.”

Hackman and his wife were discovered at their home towards the end of last week, and while the investigation into their death is still being investigated, the tragic news hit many Hollywood stars, and fans of Hackman’s huge legacy of work, really hard. For Rosenbaum, there was a connection of a different kind to many,...

The death of Gene Hackman and his wife has continued to dominate headlines as new details come to light about the strange circumstances surrounding the Oscar-winning actor’s passing. While the latest reports have said it could be “months” before the results of toxicology reports reveal exactly what caused the double death, and that of one of the couple’s dogs, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has revealed a sad piece of information that suggests Hackman died much earlier than originally believed. As per Deadline, Mendoza said in a short press conference:

“An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr. Hackman's pacemaker. This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025, I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed.”

RelatedThe 15 Best Gene Hackman Movies, Ranked

Gene Hackman died today, Feb. 27, and we're remembering the great actor with his best films.

There are currently many factors about...

The late Gene Hackman will be honored at the 97th Oscars despite the timing of his shocking death, which came just days before the ceremony is scheduled to be held. A source "who works on the show and has knowledge of the plans" revealed to TheWrap that a tribute to Hackman will be included during the broadcast. However, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences "declined to comment" on the situation when the publication reached out to confirm the news.

Hackman will likely be recognized during the Oscars' yearly In Memoriam tribute. The prolific actor won two Academy Awards over the course of his illustrious career. Hackman was first recognized for his incomparable portrayal of Popeye Doyle in The French Connection with a Best Actor Oscar. 21 years later, he walked away with another golden statue, but this time for Best Supporting Actor in Clint Eastwood’s classic Western, Unforgiven.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday his department is still waiting for final autopsy and toxicology reports on the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, but has a fair idea of when the Oscar winner actually died.

An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr. Hackman pacemaker,” the Sheriff said at a short press conference today. “This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025, I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed.”

Noting that getting final autopsy and toxicology reports “could take months,” Mendoza added that initial results seem to rule out carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of the deaths of the 95-year-old Hackman, the 63-year-old Arakawa and one of their dogs. Amidst some conflicting information over the past 48 hours, the Sheriff said “there were no apparent signs of foul play” in the Hackmans’ deaths.

Married since 1991 and notoriously private, Hackman and...

Investigators into the deaths of Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa believe Hackman may have been dead for nine days by the time the couple were found in their New Mexico home on Wednesday.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told a press conference earlier on Friday that the “last event” of Hackman’s pacemaker was on February 17. “According to the pathologist that is a very good assumption that that was his last day of life,” said Mendoza.

The officer added that an autopsy found no external trauma to either person and no evidence of death by carbon monoxide.

The Oscars will pay tribute to Gene Hackman on Sunday’s show, which takes place only four days after the bodies of the actor and his wife were discovered in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

An individual who works on the show and has knowledge of the plans told TheWrap that the late actor, a five-time Oscar nominee and two-time winner, will receive a tribute on the show. It is believed that he will most likely be added to the In Memoriam segment of the ceremony, although typically that film would have been locked a week or two prior to the show.

The Academy never reveals in advance who will be included in the In Memoriam, and it declined to comment when TheWrap asked if Hackman would be a last-minute addition to the show.

The legendary actor, who died at the age of 95, was nominated for Best Actor...

Acting legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their Santa Fe home in New Mexico on Wednesday afternoon. The Oscar-winning actor was 95 and his wife was 63 at the time of their deaths. Their cause of death has yet to be determined, although the county sheriff’s office initially rejected any foul play suspicions.

Gene Hackman as Harry R. Caul in The Conversation | Credits: Paramount Pictures

However, the detectives in the case have filed an application for a search warrant of Hackman’s home and premises. They claimed that the circumstances surrounding the death were “suspicious enough” to warrant a thorough investigation.

What makes Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s death “suspicious”? Gene Hackman in his Oscar-winning role in Unforgiven | Credits: Warner Bros.

Detective Roy Arndt with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office asked for a search warrant from a judge, stating that actor Gene...

One of the first major film stars to break out in the 1970s, Gene Hackman was the epitome of New Hollywood. An actor with livewire intensity, he had a grit and brusqueness that few others could ever match, and he was perfectly suited for the types of anti-heroic, morally gray characters that would define the Hollywood revolution of the decade. In his Oscar-winning role as a violent, thuggish cop on a mission in “The French Connection,” he showcases unnerving levels of adrenaline and thirst for justice: The way he grits his teeth during the movie’s iconic car chase scene elevates it from very good to extraordinary. In the hands of another actor, the role could be one-note, but Hackman made it iconic.

What Hackman a great actor wasn’t just his talent for playing morally compromised, loathsome men — although his most famous roles over the course of his career fall into that broad archetype.

Gene Hackman, the legendary everyman actor who won two Oscars before stepping away from Hollywood in 2004, and Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M., home on Wednesday. Hackman was 95. Arakawa, whom he married in 1991, was 64.

While authorities did not suspect foul play, the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa have been ruled suspicious. A detective's affidavit stated that "an open prescription bottle scattered pills" were found on a bathroom counter near Arakawa's body. One of the couple’s dog, a German shepherd, was found dead in the bathroom closet, about 15 feet from Arakawa. Two other family dogs were found alive.

A maintenance worker discovered the bodies on Wednesday. Arakawa was found in the bathroom near a space heater. Her body showed signs of decomposition, per the detective report. Hackman's body, in a similar state, was found in the mud room appearing as if he had "suddenly fallen.

The news of Gene Hackman’s passing was an undeniable tragedy.

This was, after all, a man who had contributed so much to the world of cinema through performances that seemed both challenging and extremely comfortable. While he had not performed in a movie since 2004’s “Welcome to Mooseport,” an inglorious final role if there ever was one, there was always the idea that he could come back – would come back – if the character was too good to pass up.

These are 11 performances that immediately sprang to mind when we heard of Hackman’s death. We could make it twice as long – maybe three times as long – without breaking a sweat. The list of sterling performances from the master goes on and on. This is just a sample. Use it as a guide or maybe a starting point. The worlds of Hackman are infinite.

Warner Bros. “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967)

Gene...

Gene Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman, and his granddaughter Annie said they are “devastated” after the two-time Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday. He was 95 and she was 64.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” the family told TheWrap in a Thursday statement. “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

As TheWrap previously reported, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office insists Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths are not suspicious despite multiple media reports regarding search warrants suggesting the contrary. The department states no foul play is suspected in the case, though the investigation in ongoing.

Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, Nathan Lane, Viola Davis, Josh Brolin, and Superman actress Valerie Perrine are among the stars mourning Gene Hackman.

The 95-year-old legend and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead on Wednesday, alongside their dog, in their Santa Fe, N.M., home. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office initially said foul play is not suspected, and there's an "active and ongoing investigation" into their deaths. In a search warrant affidavit released Thursday, authorities said their deaths are "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation," and that there were "no obvious signs of a gas leak."

Tributes poured in for the beloved actor after the news broke early Thursday. Hackman won two Oscars -- Best Actor for 1971's The French Connection and Best Supporting Actor for 1992's Unforgiven -- and had three other nominations for Bonnie & Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father...

The news that actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe has shocked the industry and led to widespread tributes for one of the true greats of cinema.

Clint Eastwood, who directed and starred with Hackman in 1992’s Unforgiven, said in a statement to Deadline: “There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.”

Writer-director Mel Brooks reminisced about working with Hackman on his Academy Award-nominated 1974 comedy classic Young Frankenstein.

“I was privileged to know Gene Hackman because he played tennis with another Gene—Gene Wilder. And that Gene told him about a little role called The Blind Hermit in our movie Young Frankenstein,” wrote Brooks on X. “He said, ‘Do you think Mel would let me play it? I’ve always wanted to do a comedy.

Gene Hackman’s death has raised enough suspicion among the Santa Fe police that they have obtained a search warrant for the Oscar winner’s home after the nonagenarian, his wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their dogs were found dead last night.

“At this time; the manner and cause of death pertaining to Eugene ‘Gene’ Allen Hackman and Betsy Arakawa passing is unknown,” said Santa Fe Sheriff’s department Det. Roy Arndt late Wednesday night in an affidavit submitted to a state judge just hours after the bodies were discovered in the couple’s longtime New Mexico home.

“Affiant believes that the circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened, deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another...

Two-time Oscar winner, Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95. The iconic actor was found dead at their Santa Fe, N.M. home alongside his 63-year-old classical pianist wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog.

Whilst not deemed suspicious, their deaths are currently being investigated.

Former Marine turned actor Hackman, who won two Oscars for his roles in 1971’s ‘The French Connection’ and 1992’s ‘Unforgiven’ made his mark in Hollywood with his role as Clyde Barrow’s explosive older brother in the 1967 film ‘Bonnie and Clyde,’ which brought him his first Oscar nomination in supporting actor. He also found himself with Oscar nominations for this roles as FBI Special Agent Rupert Anderson in ‘Mississippi Burning,’ Gene Garrison in Gil Cates’ ‘I Never Sang for My Father,’

Also in news – ‘Pink Floyd at Pompeii – McMlxxii’ to return to cinemas this spring

Having appeared in over 80 films his career spanned from the...

Gene Hackman, the actor known for such roles as Lex Luthor and in The French Connection, has been found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Hackman, and one of their dogs at their home in Sante Fe, New Mexico.

The star, 95, was one of the industry’s most celebrated creatives with two Oscars under his belt. At the end of his life, Hackman was seldom seen out in public, and little was known about his health. He was last photographed with Betsy, 64, on March 28 as they held hands outside a restaurant in Santa Fe.

Hackman’s prolific career — including performances in Unforgiven (1992), Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and I Never Sang for My Father (1970) — ended in 2004 after he starred opposite Ray Romano in Welcome to Mooseport. He was 74 at the time.

He reflected on his quiet retirement while promoting a book in 2008, telling Reuters: “I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement,...

Francis Ford Coppola, Viola Davis, Antonio Banderas and Paul Feig were among those mourning two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman, who was found dead, alongside his wife and dog, at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday.

“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, who directed Hackman in 1974’s The Conversation, wrote on Instagram. “I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

Davis added, “Loved you in everything! The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven—tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”

And Banderas said this was a “very sad day for the cinema’s family,” sharing his condolences for “friends, family and cinema lovers.”

Feig called the news “so awful,” adding, “Gene was...

After Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, his celebrity peers began honoring the two-time Oscar-winning actor’s life with touching tributes early Thursday morning.

Viola Davis wrote, “Loved you in everything! ‘The Conversation,’ ‘The French Connection,’ ‘The Poseidon Adventure,’ ‘Unforgiven’ — tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”

Francis Ford Coppola wrote, “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. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

Edgar Wright wrote, “The greatest…”

Josh Brolin wrote, “I am crushed by the sudden deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (and their dog). Crushed. He was always one of my favorites. Not many who beat to...

The two-time Oscar winner retired in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of excellence. Hackman died this week at 95.

For over 50 years, Gene Hackman was one of the most successful and reliably excellent actors working in Hollywood. during his career, he earned five Academy Award nominations and eight Golden Globe noms. Hackman took home Oscars for his roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” and turned in iconic performances in “Superman,” “Hoosiers,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” and countless other films.

However, following the release of “Welcome to Mooseport” in 2004, Hackman retired from acting at the age of 73. Unfortunately, he never returned to the screen, as one of the most talented and prolific actors to ever grace the screen died this week at the age of 95. On Thursday morning, it was reported that Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Authorities said that there...

Update 4:54 Pm Et: Gene Hackman, whose authenticity and authority onscreen gave him the stature of a leading man in a career he built as a character actor, is dead at age 95. Hackman along with his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa (age 63), were found dead inside their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s office, as was a dog.

Officials did a safety check on the scene due to the “unusual circumstances” of Hackman and Arakawa’s death, but it was deemed safe and a search warrant was issued. The Sheriff’s office said there were “no apparent signs of foul play” and have yet to determine a cause of death. Autopsy and toxicology reports are pending, no external trauma was noticed initially on either individual. It remains an open investigation.

Any effort to count our greatest film actors...

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed. A cause of death for the Oscar-winning actor, 95, and his wife, 64, was not revealed but Mendoza said no foul play was suspected.

An investigation into their deaths is ongoing. According to Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Womack-Avila, the couple was found dead at around 1:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday after a neighbor called in a welfare check, per Albuquerque’s KOB4.

Hackman and Arakawa, a classical pianist, married in 1991. Their dog was also found deceased.

An acting giant, Hackman was born in San Bernadino, California, and enlisted in the military at age 16, lying about his age to get in. He served over four years as a field operator in the Marines before pursuing acting in 1956 at the San Bernadino...

According to reports, two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman passed away, along with his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa and dog, in their home.

A statement from Sante Fe, New Mexico’s sheriff’s office notes that the legendary actor, aged 95, and his wife, aged 64, died on Wednesday, February 26 at 1:45 p.m.

The sheriff’s office has ruled out foul play as a factor in these deaths at this time, but the exact cause of the deaths has yet to be determined.

The statement goes on to say that an ongoing and active investigation into this by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is still underway.

Gene Hackman’s Legacy

The actor was a former Marine and had a legendary career that spanned over six decades. He worked on over 80 movies, as well as television and stage productions. Hackman’s career began in the early ‘60s.

Gene scored his first...

Unfortunately, we have to get the day started with some sad news today, as it has been reported that we’ve lost one of the great legends of cinema, Gene Hackman, at the age of 95. Hackman, his retired pianist wife, 63-year-old Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were all found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday afternoon. Yahoo reports that New Mexico police have said that the causes of death are under investigation, “but they do not believe foul play is a factor at this time.” Of course, there’s a lot of speculation going around that the cause of death may be carbon monoxide poisoning, but nothing has been confirmed as of right now.

Born on January 30, 1930 in San Bernadino, California, Eugene Allen Hackman did a lot of moving around in his younger years, but had already decided that he wanted to be an actor...

Gene Hackman, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in films like The French Connection and Unforgiven, has died at the age of 95.

Hackman, his wife Betsy, and their dog were found dead at their home in New Mexico on Wednesday after deputies performed a welfare check, according to CNN. While there were no visible signs of foul play, investigators deemed their deaths “suspicious” after finding “no obvious signs of a gas leak” and the front door of their home “unsecured and opened.”

Hackman was born in San Bernardino, California on January 30th, 1930. Lying about his age, he enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was just 16, serving four years as a field radio operator before being stationed in China, Hawaii, and Japan. He was discharged in 1951.

As he began to pursue an acting career, Hackman joined the historic Pasadena Playhouse, where he met fellow aspiring actor Dustin Hoffman.

Legendary American actor and two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95, it has been confirmed. The screen veteran, star of such films as The French Connection, Unforgiven, The Royal Tenenbaums, and the original Superman, was found dead alongside his 63-year-old wife Betsy Arakawa and the couple's dog at the couple's Santa Fe home late on Wednesday afternoon, per The New York Post.

A character actor in the mould of Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum, and James Cagney, Hackman — over the course of an acting career spanning five decades, 85 movies, and dozens more plays and television shows — demonstrated remarkable range and an ineffable combination of grit and charisma that enabled him to play average Joes, comic book supervillains, no-nonsense cops, and estranged patriarchs that all felt real, all felt alive. Among his contemporaries, the Pacinos, Hoffmans, and De Niros of this world, Hackman measured up and stood tall,...

Legendary actor, two-time Oscar winner, U.S. Marine and author Gene Hackman has passed away at the age of 95.

While all would agree that Hackman had a good innings, the circumstances of his death were unusual, as he was found with his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa (63), and their dog on Wednesday afternoon in their home in the Santa Fe Summit community.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed just after midnight on Thursday that the couple had died. Mendoza said in an interview on Wednesday evening that there was no immediate indication of foul play, though he did not provide a cause of death or say when the couple might have passed.

Hackman leaves behind an incredible body of work over a career that spanned six decades. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his blistering performance as "Popeye" Doyle in William Friedkin’s The French Connection...

Gene Hackman, who was found dead at 95 alongside his wife at their Santa Fe, N.M. home on Feb. 26, was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation.

He won two Oscars over a career spanning over four decades, for playing Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in William Friedkin’s 1971 action thriller “The French Connection” and for his role as antagonistic sheriff in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Western “Unforgiven.” He was also Oscar-nominated for his performances in “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967), “I Never Sang for My Father” (1970) and “Mississippi Burning” (1988).

Hackman was also known for playing Lex Luthor in 1978’s “Superman” and the 1980 sequel “Superman II,” with other notable credits including “Scarecrow” (1973), “The Conversation” (1974), “Loose Cannons “(1990), “The Firm” (1993), “Enemy of the State” (1998) and “The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001).

Take a look at Hackman’s career in photos below.

Two time Oscar-winner Gene Hackman was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa at their home in Santa Fe, local police confirmed this morning.

The police have said they don’t believe “foul play was a factor in their deaths” but an investigation is ongoing.

Hackman turned 95 this year. The Hollywood legend was one of American cinema’s most trusted onscreen artists. He won Oscars for The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992) and was Oscar-nominated for roles in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).

Hackman was also celebrated for his portrayal of Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequel Superman II, with other credits including The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Scarecrow (1972), The Conversation (1974), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Under Fire (1983), Power (1986), Loose Cannons (1990), The Firm (1993), The Quick and the Dead (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Enemy of the State (1998), Behind Enemy Lines (2001), and Runaway Jury (2003).

He had not been in the...

Gene Hackman, the versatile leading man renowned for his smoldering performance as hard-nosed New York City narc Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection, has died. He was 95.

The much-admired two-time Oscar winner and his second wife, Betsy Hackman, 64, were found dead Wednesday at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They had lived in a gated community northeast of the city since the 1980s.

In a statement to the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said, “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.” One of their three dogs also died.

A search warrant ruled that the deaths were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”

His daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter Annie noted in a statement that Hackman was “loved and admired by millions around...

Following the tragic death of Michelle Trachtenberg on Wednesday, Hollywood was rocked again by the news that legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were both found dead at their home in Santa Fe with their dog. The terrible news shared by the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the news that the couple had been discovered just after midnight on Thursday morning, although they could not reveal a cause of death at the time.

In a statement shared by the Sheriff’s Office said, "We do not believe foul play was a factor in their deaths. However, exact cause of death has not been determined at this time."

RelatedGene Hackman's 10 Best Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

Gene Hackman has had an incredible career, having played some of the most iconic characters in Hollywood's history.

Hackman, who was 95, was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood,...

Gene Hackman, known for iconic roles like Wyatt Earp and Lex Luthor, has sadly passed away at 95 years old. According to The Santa Fe New Mexican, Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed their deaths, as well as the death of their dog. Their cause of death is not currently public, but Mendoza stated there was no immediate indication of foul play.

Hackman had a legendary acting career over the course of six decades after rising to fame in the '70s; he won the BAFTA, Best Actor Oscar, and Golden Globe for his role as NYPD Detective Jimmy "Popeye Doyle" in 1971's The French Connection. He later won those same accolades for his role as Sheriff Bill Daggett in Unforgiven, and was nominated again for Bonnie & Clyde,I Never Sang For My Father, and Mississippi Burning.

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead at their home in the US, according to local law enforcement.

Hackman was 95 and his wife was 63. No cause of death has been given but there was no indication of foul play.

A statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff in New Mexico said: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife 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.”

Santa Fe...

Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar-winning actor whose compelling gravitas and simple humanity made him an onscreen fixture for 40 years, has died at 95.

The actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 68, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Feb. 26, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza. No cause of death was given, however authorities confirmed there was no indication of foul play. Hackman and Arakawa had been married for 34 years.

After a career in which he played everyone from conflicted cops to inspirational basketball coaches to failed fathers to Lex Luthor,...

Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe, Nm.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed just after midnight Thursday local time that the couple had died, along with one of their dogs.

A statement from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office read: “On February 26, 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.

“Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time however exact cause of death has not been determined. This is an active and ongoing investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.”

Related: 2025 Deaths Photo Gallery: Hollywood & Media Obituaries

Deputies were responding to a welfare check at the home after a neighbor called authorities,...

Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner for “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead Wednesday afternoon in their Santa Fe, N.M. home. The office of Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed their deaths to Variety after midnight Thursday. There is no immediate indication of foul play, per authorities, though the Sheriff’s office did not immediately provide a cause of death. Hackman was 95. Arakawa was 63.

On Wednesday, Sheriff’s deputies visited the home of Hackman and Arakawa, who married in 1991. The couple was found dead, alongside their dog.

“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” the sheriff told the Santa Fe New Mexican. The statement came before authorities had positively identified the pair, per the publication. “I want to assure the community and neighborhood...

"Tombstone," from 1993, is the Wyatt Earp movie most people remember from the '90s, but it's hardly the only star-studded spectacle about the legendary marshal. A year later, "Wyatt Earp" came out, reuniting actor Kevin Costner with filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan, the director who first made him a charismatic cowboy in 1985's "Silverado." A love of the old west clearly stuck with Costner, who made his directorial debut with "Dances With Wolves," an epic about a Union Army Lieutenant (Costner) who goes native. If you haven't seen it, you've probably at least heard the plot of "Avatar" compared (unfavorably) to it. It won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and another for Costner as Best Director.

Covering more of Earp's life than just the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral, "Wyatt Earp" came loaded with actors both familiar and new, as one would expect of an old Hollywood epic biopic. It...

When it comes to critical adoration, the late actor Paul Newman holds at least two rare distinctions. First of all, he's one of just a handful of actors who has not one or two but three perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores under his belt, having appeared in three different movies that critics at the time (and today) unanimously agree are pretty dang good. Newman is also one of the few actors (at least that we've come across at /Film) whose best-reviewed movies include a couple of stone cold classics.

Most of the best movies ever made don't seem to end up with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, as the sheer number of professional eyes on them makes it likely that someone will eventually go against the grain. Thanks to this phenomenon, the best-reviewed movies of most actors' careers technically tend to end up being much lesser-known (and therefore less-reviewed) films, like "Dinosaurs: Giants...

The rise of Gene Hackman happened to coincide with a significant change in the cinematic landscape that resulted in one of the most creatively exciting moments in the history of the medium. Hackman got his breakout role in the highly influential crime film Bonnie & Clyde, which signified a sea change in which Hollywood studios began investing in more artistic mainstream projects. In the subsequent decade, Hackman starred in such acclaimed films as I Never Sang For My Father, The French Connection, The Conversation, and A Bridge Too Far. While he was arguably one of the most popular actors of his generation, Hackmans starring role in the road drama Scarecrow wasnt given the credit that it deserved.

It's odd to think of stars like Audrey Hepburn within a modern context. The Egot winner seems to belong so perfectly to a bygone era of Hollywood — one characterized by a kind of romanticism and graceful dignity that just doesn't map on to the age of streaming and ubiquitous "content." Of course, in reality the Hollywood of the mid-20th century was often anything but a halcyon dream, with the star system still very much in operation, shackling actors to their respective studios to be traded off and sold like commodities. Still, it's just plain weird to think about these titans of Hollywood in the context of, for instance, Rotten Tomatoes — the great arbiter of our contemporary collective taste in cinema.

Imagine, if you will, the career of this Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, fashion icon, and legendary starlet summed up in a list of cartoon splats and tomatoes. It doesn't feel quite right does it?...

What's Daniel Day Lewis' best film? "Gangs of New York," perhaps? What about his Oscar-winning performance as the 16th President of the United States in "Lincoln?" Surely his efforts there should put Steven Spielberg's historical drama in the running for Lewis' finest work. Well, it's neither of these. Daniel Day Lewis' best film is, in fact, 1985's "A Room With a View," — at least according to Rotten Tomatoes.

The website that determined there to be only two perfect horror movies can also be consulted for its rankings of individual actors' filmographies. This has resulted in the definitely correct revelation that Sean Connery's finest film is "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." Now, it's Gene Hackman's turn to have a lifetime of acting ability summed up by a series of cartoon splats and tomatoes. What could possibly be at the top of this list? Well, my money was...

David Anspaugh's 1986 sports drama "Hoosiers" has gone down in history as one of the most influential sports dramas ever made. Partly inspired by the real-life story of the 1954 Indiana state champions Milan High School, "Hoosiers" focuses on formerly-disgraced basketball coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman), who gets a rare second chance to prove his mettle at Indiana's Hickory High School. The rather tight-knit town of Hickory seems a little too unforgiving towards Norman due to his sketchy past, but redemption finds its way to him via a David vs. Goliath situation that soon transforms into a classic underdog tale about dreaming big and achieving the impossible.

Some of the more saccharine themes in "Hoosiers" might feel a tad corny at times, but it is a film that brandishes sincere authenticity when it comes to the magic of unexpected second chances and the highs and lows of small-town sports. Moreover, a...