Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, were discovered deceased at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26. The couple’s dog was also found dead.
A neighbour’s concern about the couple’s welfare prompted authorities to conduct a welfare check on their home.
While foul play is not suspected, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are considered suspicious, prompting a thorough investigation.
Preliminary autopsies revealed no external injuries. However, the exact cause of death remains undetermined. A search warrant noted suspicious findings, including an open pill bottle and a knocked-over heater, contributing to the ongoing inquiry.
Hackman, renowned for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven, was a celebrated figure in Hollywood. His wife, Betsy, was a classical pianist. The couple had been married since 1991 and lived a quiet life in Santa Fe after Hackman retired from acting in 2004.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the cause of the tragic deaths.
Hackman, born Eugene Allen Hackman on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, was a legendary American actor celebrated for his rugged charisma and emotionally authentic performances.
Over a career spanning six decades, Hackman became one of Hollywood’s most versatile and respected actors, earning two Academy Awards—Best Actor for The French Connection (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992).
His roles ranged from the morally complex detective Popeye Doyle to the cunning Lex Luthor in the Superman films.
Hackman’s journey to stardom was unconventional. After dropping out of high school at 16, he joined the Marines and pursued acting at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he was once deemed “least likely to succeed.”
He defied expectations and broke through with Bonnie and Clyde (1967), earning his first Oscar nomination.
