The legendary actor and his wife, a classical pianist, had been married since 1991 and were rarely seen in public.
Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe Summit home on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 26. Authorities have not suspected foul play, but an investigation is ongoing.
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman attend the 65th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, on March 29, 1993 | Source: Getty Images
Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Womack-Avila said that Sheriff deputies arrived at Hackman and Arakawa’s home on Old Sunset Trail to respond to a welfare check request at around 1:45 p.m.
A welfare check, or wellness check, is a service provided by law enforcement to check on someone’s well-being when there are concerns for their safety. Officers visit the individual to confirm they are safe and not in distress.
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman during The 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 19, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
The welfare check at Hackman and Arakawa’s home ended up with the police finding a couple and a dog dead. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed just after midnight on Thursday that the two-time Oscar winner Hackman, his wife, and their dog had died.
Mendoza stated that there were no immediate signs of foul play but did not disclose a cause of death or estimate when the couple had passed.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa attend the Mission Hills Celebrity Sports Invitational in Rancho Mirage, California, on November 30, 1991 | Source: Getty Images
The sheriff has also notified the public that he and his team are in the middle of preliminary investigations as they wait on the approval of the search warrant. He also assured the community of their safety, adding that they were in no imminent danger.
Hackman has lived an adventurous life, experiencing a winding path before his Hollywood breakthrough. He was 36 when he gained recognition in 1967’s “Bonnie and Clyde,” a role he landed after missing out on playing Mr. Robinson in “The Graduate.”
Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow and Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow in the film “Bonnie and Clyde” in 1967 | Source: Getty Images
Before that, he served in the Marines, struggled to make ends meet in California and New York. At times he shared an apartment with roommates, one who was “Graduate” star Dustin Hoffman. Hackman also took on various jobs, including working as a truck driver and doorman.
Gene Hackman in 1970 | Source: Getty Images
After his Hollywood debut, Hackman starred in films like “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers,” “Unforgiven,” and “The Firm,” where his performances put him into the leading-man territory.
The actor, who often portrayed conflicted authority figures or cunning white-collar villains, brought depth and intensity to his roles.
Gene Hackman runs down the street in a scene from the film “French Connection II,” in 1975 | Source: Getty Images
His portrayal of Lex Luthor in the “Superman” films of the 1970s and 1980s remains one of his most recognizable performances. In this role, he showcased a mix of intelligence and menace.
Gene Hackman and Christopher Reeve in a scene from the Warner Bros movie “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” circa 1987 | Source: Getty Images
Hackman’s talent earned him two Academy Awards. He won his first Oscar for playing relentless New York cop Popeye Doyle in 1971’s “The French Connection.” Doyle was a detective whose pursuit of justice came at a steep personal cost.
Gene Hackman at the 1993 Academy Awards | Source: Getty Images
In 1974’s “The Conversation,” he delivered a gripping performance as a surveillance expert whose obsession leads to paranoia. Hackman’s second Oscar came in 1992 for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven.” Daggett was a ruthless sheriff enforcing the law with brutal authority.
Gene Hackman and Clint Eastwood attend 65th Annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California, on March 29, 1993 | Source: Getty Images
Aside from these films, Hackman took on a wide range of roles, portraying villains, heroes, and antiheroes across dramas, comedies, and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.
In an interview with Empire, he shared his reasons for retiring at 74. “The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York. The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress,” he divulged.
Gene Hackman with Betsy Arakawa at the United Celebral Palsy of New York City’s 15th annual Champagne Stakes at Etoile restaurant in 2000 | Source: Getty Images
Unlike many in Hollywood, he largely stayed out of the social spotlight after retiring, making only occasional appearances at award shows. His retirement remained permanent.
As for his personal life, Hackman met Arakawa in the mid-1980s while she was working part-time at a gym in California. The 95-year-old author and his 63-year-old wife soon moved in together and later settled in Santa Fe.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa attend a premiere of “The Chamber” at the Academy Theater, Beverly Hills, California, on October 2, 1996.| Source: Getty Images
They purchased a large Southwestern-style ranch in a gated community with scenic views of the Rocky Mountains. Their home is located off Hyde Park Road just north of Ten Thousand Waves. Hackman was a familiar presence in town and served on the board of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum during the 1990s.
Gene Hackman signs a chair for a fan while also signing posters from his movie “The French Connection” at a Borders book store in Chicago, on April 28, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
In his later years, Hackman focused on writing novels. While he had three children from a previous marriage, he and Arakawa did not have children together. In 1999, they adopted three German shepherds. The couple enjoyed watching films together, particularly smaller, independent productions.
Gene Hackman presents his book “Wake of the Perdido” at Barnes & Noble in New York, on November 4, 1999 | Source: Getty Images
Celebrities and fans have taken to social media to honor the late Hollywood icon. Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola mourned the passing of the remarkable artist, noting that his death was both a moment of sorrow and a time to celebrate a legendary career.
“Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution,” he added.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Edgar Wright reacted to the news of Hackman’s death, writing, “The greatest.” George Takei has also spoken out, calling Hackman, “one of the true giants of the screen.”
He added, “Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was.”
Takei reflected on Hackman’s legacy and said that as much as his presence will be deeply missed, his impact on cinema will endure for generations to come.
