Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife, and their dog were discovered deceased in their New Mexico residence, according to local authorities on Thursday. While foul play is not considered a factor, the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths have not been disclosed as the investigation remains ongoing.
Law enforcement officials from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Hackman, aged 95, alongside his 63-year-old wife Betsy Arakawa and their pet dog, were found lifeless when deputies conducted a welfare check at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Renowned for his versatility, Hackman leaves behind a legacy as one of the most distinguished actors of his era, having delivered compelling performances as villains, heroes, and antiheroes in numerous dramas, comedies, and action films from the 1960s through his retirement in the early 2000s. Over the course of his illustrious career, Hackman was nominated for five Oscars, triumphing with performances in “The French Connection” in 1972 and “Unforgiven” in the early 1990s. His passing comes just days ahead of this year’s Oscars ceremony.
Hackman’s relationship with Arakawa, a classically trained pianist hailing from Hawaii, began in the 1980s in California, where she worked part-time at a gym, as reported back in 1989. The couple soon moved in together and purchased their Santa Fe home by the end of the decade.
Located in a gated community just outside of New Mexico’s capital, their expansive Southwestern-style ranch offered picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains. Hackman was a familiar presence in the local community, serving on the board of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in the 1990s. However, he seldom appeared on the Hollywood social scene following his retirement approximately two decades ago, marking one of the few definitive retirements from the industry.
In his later years, Hackman channeled his storytelling prowess into writing novels. Although he and Arakawa did not have children together, Hackman had three children from a previous marriage. In 1999, the couple adopted three German shepherds, as reported by a newspaper.
In an interview with a film magazine in 2020, Hackman shared that he and Arakawa enjoyed watching DVDs, preferring the simple narratives often found in smaller low-budget films.
Attempts to reach Hackman’s publicist for further comment were not immediately successful as of early Thursday.
