Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their residence in the Santa Fe Summit community on Wednesday afternoon. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed their deaths early Thursday morning, revealing that their pet dog was also found deceased.
During a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Sheriff Mendoza stated that authorities had not discovered any immediate indications of foul play. However, details regarding the cause or time of death remain undisclosed. The investigation is ongoing.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor and accomplished author, was widely celebrated for his contributions to the entertainment industry. He was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2003 for his outstanding career achievements.
A statement issued by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office read: “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 foul play was involved.”
Hackman earned an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection (1971) and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven (1992). He was also nominated for his performances in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).
Over his illustrious career, Hackman appeared in more than 100 films, including his iconic portrayal of Lex Luthor in the Superman films of the 1970s and 1980s. His filmography includes acclaimed titles such as The Conversation, Runaway Jury, and The Royal Tenenbaums. His final major film role was as Monroe Cole in Welcome to Mooseport (2004), after which he retired from acting.
Born in California in 1930, Hackman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 16 by falsifying his birthdate and served for four and a half years. Following his military service, he briefly resided in New York before pursuing a career in acting. He later joined the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where he formed a close friendship with fellow aspiring actor Dustin Hoffman.
