Gene Hackman, his wife and dog found dead; a peek into the Oscar-winning actor’s cinematic legacy

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in New Mexico's Santa Fe on Thursday. Hackman was 95-year-old.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the death and told BBC, "We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail… This is an active investigation - however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor."

Circumstances Surrounding the Deaths

Authorities discovered Gene Hackman (95) and Betsy Arakawa (63) dead at their Santa Fe residence alongside their dog on February 26, 2025. The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office confirmed no signs of foul play through initial investigations, though autopsy results remain pending.

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Betsy Arakawa's Background

Arakawa maintained a private profile despite her 1991 marriage to Hackman. As a classical pianist, she shared Hackman's passion for Southwestern architecture - their custom hilltop home featured panoramic mountain views and appeared in Architectural Digest. The couple frequently attended local cultural events together until their deaths.

Hackman's Santa Fe Retirement

After retiring from acting in 2004 following Welcome to Mooseport, Hackman focused on writing novels and architectural restoration projects. He designed ten homes throughout his life, including multiple properties in New Mexico where he cycled regularly until his eighties. The actor avoided public appearances but remained engaged with Santa Fe's arts community.

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Cinematic Legacy

Hackman's six-decade career earned two Oscars (The French Connection, Unforgiven) and iconic roles including Lex Luthor in Superman films. Colleagues praised his instinctive acting style - director Alan Parker noted his ability to deliver 'extraordinary economy' in performances. The American Film Institute ranks his basketball drama Hoosiers among history's top sports films.

Health History

Medical factors potentially contributing to Hackman's death remain unconfirmed. Historical records show he underwent angioplasty in 1990 and survived a 2012 cycling accident with minor injuries. During retirement interviews, Hackman cited heart health concerns as partial motivation for leaving acting.