Gene Hackman, the renowned character actor with two Oscars from a career spanning over 60 years, has passed away at the age of 95, alongside his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog, at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies discovered their bodies on Thursday afternoon around 1:45 p.m.
The sheriff’s office stated, ‘Foul play is not suspected at this time, but the exact cause of death is yet to be determined. This is an active investigation.’
Hackman, a former Marine with a distinctive raspy voice, starred in more than 80 films, as well as television and stage productions, beginning in the early 1960s. He received his first Oscar nomination for his role in 1967’s ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ and was later nominated for ‘I Never Sang for My Father’ in 1971. His iconic role as Popeye Doyle in ‘The French Connection’ earned him a Best Actor Oscar. He also won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘Unforgiven’ in 1993 and was nominated for ‘Mississippi Burning’ in 1988.
Hackman’s on-screen presence ranged from menacing to friendly, and he was known for his method acting. His characters were often intense, from a basketball coach in ‘Hoosiers’ to the villain Lex Luthor in ‘Superman.’
He retired in his 70s, feeling the roles offered were too limited. His final major role was in 2004’s ‘Welcome to Mooseport.’
Hackman lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was married twice. He had three children, Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne, with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, who died in 2017. He married Betsy Arakawa in 1991.”
