Select Language:
Santa Fe: An investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman, his wife, and their dog has revealed no evidence of foul play, gunshot wounds, or other injuries. Authorities have enlisted the help of a gas company, suggesting they may suspect carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause.
The couple and their dog were discovered deceased during a wellness check on Wednesday at their home in New Mexico, as reported by law enforcement officials on Thursday. While no indications of foul play have surfaced, the exact circumstances of their deaths remain undisclosed as the inquiry continues.
Gene Hackman, aged 95, along with his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog, were found lifeless when deputies entered their residence on Wednesday afternoon. Denise Avila, a spokesperson for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that there were no signs of shootings or other kinds of injuries.
Regarded as one of the finest actors of his era, Hackman was celebrated for his performances across various genres from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s. He frequently appeared on Hollywood’s lists of the greatest American actors of the 20th century, showcasing his versatility in roles from the iconic villain Lex Luthor in “Superman” to the redemptive coach in the beloved film “Hoosiers.”
A five-time Oscar nominee, Hackman won Academy Awards for his roles in “The French Connection” in 1972 and “Unforgiven” two decades later. His passing comes just days before this year’s Academy Awards ceremony, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues in Hollywood.
Director Francis Ford Coppola expressed his condolences on Instagram, remarking, “The loss of a great artist is always a moment for both sorrow and celebration: Gene Hackman was a magnificent actor, inspiring in his work and rich in complexity.”
Hackman met Arakawa, a pianist trained in classical music who hails from Hawaii, while she was working part-time at a gym in California during the mid-1980s. They soon began living together, relocating to Santa Fe by the end of the decade.
Their home, a Southwestern-style ranch located on Old Sunset Trail, is nestled in a gated community with picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains. Constructed in 2000, the 2,300-square-foot house sits on an acre of land and was valued at slightly over $1 million, according to local property tax records. This is relatively modest compared to the adjacent estate, valued at approximately $7.9 million.
In addition to his acting career, Hackman co-authored three novels, beginning with “Wake of the Perdido Star” in 1999, a collaboration with Daniel Lenihan. He later published two solo works, concluding with “Pursuit” in 2013, which centers around a female police officer chasing a predator.
Throughout his first few decades in New Mexico, Hackman was a familiar sight in the historic capital, a known artist haven and tourist hotspot. He served on the board of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum during the 1990s, as noted by local newspaper, The New Mexican.
In more recent years, his public appearances dwindled, although even his routine outings drew media attention. Reports indicated he attended a performance at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in 2018 and was seen engaging in regular activities like fueling his car, tending to his yard, and enjoying a meal at Wendy’s in 2023.
Despite limited participation in Hollywood’s social scene, Hackman’s retirement from acting around 20 years ago was one of the few in the industry that remained intact.
He had three children from a previous marriage, while he and Arakawa did not have children together but shared a love for German shepherds. In a 2020 interview with Empire magazine, Hackman shared that he and Arakawa enjoyed watching DVDs of low-budget films, appreciating their simple storytelling.
An email sent to his publicist for comment was not returned as of Thursday morning.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
