Legendary Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95, alongside his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, according to authorities in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In a statement to the Santa Fe New Mexican, County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that the couple was found deceased in their home in the Santa Fe Summit community on Wednesday afternoon.
“We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday,” officials stated. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has launched an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths, though Sheriff Mendoza noted that no immediate signs of foul play were present. The exact cause of death remains undetermined, pending further investigation.
Discovery at the Santa Fe Residence
Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the couple’s gated community home on Old Sunset Trail to investigate the deaths of two elderly individuals and a dog. It remains unclear whether deputies were responding to a welfare check or a report of the deaths.
Initially, Mendoza stated that authorities had discovered the bodies of a man in his 90s and a woman in her 60s, later identified as Hackman and Arakawa.
“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” Mendoza said on Wednesday evening. “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”
Hollywood Mourns a Cinematic Icon
Tributes poured in from the entertainment world as news of Hackman’s passing spread.
Renowned director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Hackman on the 1974 classic The Conversation, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram.
“The loss of a great artist is 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.”
Filmmaker Edgar Wright called Hackman “the greatest” in a tribute on X (formerly Twitter), while actor George Takei honored him as “one of the true giants of the screen.”
“Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,” Takei wrote. “He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”
A Storied Career in Film
Hackman’s career spanned over four decades, cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. He was best known for roles in The French Connection (1971), Superman (1978), Unforgiven (1992), and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). His performance as Detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor, while his role in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven won him a second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Born in 1930, Hackman joined the U.S. Marines in the late 1940s before pursuing acting in the 1950s. While studying at the Pasadena Playhouse, he befriended fellow aspiring actor Dustin Hoffman—both were famously voted “least likely to succeed.” However, Hackman defied the odds, making his film debut in 1964’s Lilith and steadily rising to prominence.
He continued to dominate the industry well into the early 2000s before retiring from acting in 2004, later transitioning to a successful career as a novelist.
A Lasting Legacy
Gene Hackman spent his later years in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he lived a private life with Betsy Arakawa, whom he married in 1991. Though Arakawa maintained a low profile in recent years, Hackman had previously credited her for supporting his transition from acting to writing.
As fans and Hollywood colleagues mourn his passing, Hackman leaves behind a legacy of cinematic excellence, unforgettable performances, and a reputation as one of the most versatile and revered actors of his time.
