Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, have sadly passed away. The couple was discovered in their Santa Fe Summit home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday afternoon.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County confirmed that Mr. Hackman, Mrs. Arakawa, and their beloved dog were found with no signs suggesting anything suspicious occurred. While the specific cause of their passing hasn’t been disclosed, it’s unclear when the couple passed away.
Gene and Betsy shared a loving marriage since 1991. Earlier this year, Gene marked his 95th birthday in January. Last year, when fans caught a glimpse of him, there were concerns about his frail appearance.
Gene Hackman enjoyed an illustrious four decades in Hollywood, crafting a remarkable legacy. He made the decision to retire quietly from acting in the late 2000s. He had signaled his intent to step away from filmmaking in a 2004 interview with Larry King, revealing he had no future projects on the horizon.
During his career, Hackman made appearances in over 70 films. His dedication and talent earned him numerous accolades, including Oscars for Best Actor in “The French Connection” and Best Supporting Actor for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven.” In 2009, Hackman shared that he withdrew from acting to safeguard his health, following a concerning stress test result that alarmed his doctors.
“The turning point for me was actually a stress test I had in New York,” he shared with Empire. “The doctor’s advice was clear—my heart wasn’t in the condition to endure stress.”
After retiring, Hackman immersed himself in more soothing pursuits: painting, fishing, and writing, which brought him peace.
Speaking about writing, he mentioned: “It’s a peaceful endeavor for me. I don’t see myself as a fantastic writer, but I genuinely enjoy writing.”
“Writing is something you can control, because it’s just you and the page, instead of a room full of people waiting for you to entertain them,” he said.
Hackman leaves behind three children: Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne, whom he shares with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese.
At this difficult time, our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with the family of the legendary Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.
