In a heartbreaking loss for Hollywood, legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Santa Fe County Sheriff, Adan Mendoza, confirmed their passing just after midnight on Thursday. The couple's dog was also found deceased. Authorities stated that foul play is not suspected, but the exact cause of death remains undetermined.
Hackman, 95, was one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors, boasting a career spanning over four decades. He won two Academy Awards for his roles in The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992) and received nominations for Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988). His ability to portray gritty, intense characters cemented his reputation as Hollywood's quintessential tough guy, though he was deeply averse to real-life violence. Despite that tough guy persona, Hackman had a comedic background, having started on Broadway in light comedies. He initially struggled with playing violent roles, especially his Oscar-winning turn as detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection. However, his ability to infuse depth into these characters is one of the things that made him such an iconic actor.
Hackman was also beloved for his role as the iconic villain Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequels. Other notable films included The Poseidon Adventure (1972), The Conversation (1974), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Hoosiers (1986), The Firm (1993), The Birdcage (1996), and Enemy of the State (1998). His last on-screen appearance was in Welcome to Mooseport (2004), after which he retired from acting.
Born in San Bernardino, California, in 1930, Hackman's early life was marked by instability. His father left the family when he was 13, an experience that deeply shaped him. At 16, he lied about his age to join the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a field radio operator in Japan and China before being discharged in 1951.
Hackman initially studied journalism but ultimately pursued acting. Encouraged by his first wife, Fay Maltese, he moved to California and trained at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, he befriended fellow struggling actors Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall. His big break came when Warren Beatty recommended him for Bonnie and Clyde, launching his career into the Hollywood stratosphere.
Hackman initially studied journalism but ultimately pursued acting. Encouraged by his first wife, Fay Maltese, he moved to California and trained at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, he befriended fellow struggling actors Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall. His big break came when Warren Beatty recommended him for Bonnie and Clyde, launching his career into the Hollywood stratosphere.
After retiring, Hackman embraced a quieter life in Santa Fe with Arakawa, whom he married in 1991. He took up painting, fishing, and writing, co-authoring several historical adventure novels.
Hackman is survived by his three children from his first marriage: Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne.
Tags: gene hackman, r.i.p., superman, unforgiven
