Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa Found Dead at Their Home Alongside Their Dog

• Feb 27, 2025

Oscar-winning actor and star of The French Connection, Superman, and The Conversation passes away at 95, along with his classical pianist wife

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities confirmed their deaths, along with that of their pet dog, but have not yet determined the exact cause.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told the Santa Fe New Mexican: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday.” The Press Association reported that an active investigation is underway, though Mendoza stated that there were no immediate signs of foul play.

Authorities responded to a welfare check request from a neighbor around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday at the couple’s home in the gated Old Sunset Trail community northeast of Santa Fe. Deputies initially identified the deceased as a man in his 90s and a woman in her 60s, with formal identification taking place at 12:30 a.m. on Thursday. Sheriff Mendoza emphasized, “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”

Hollywood Pays Tribute to a Film Icon

Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola was among the first to honor Hackman’s legacy, sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the 1974 classic The Conversation and writing:

“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman, a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

Other tributes soon followed. Edgar Wright called Hackman “the greatest” on social media, while George Takei reflected on his remarkable range, saying:

“Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”

From Underdog to Hollywood Legend

Born in 1930, Hackman’s journey to stardom was far from conventional. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in the late 1940s, he turned to acting in the late 1950s. While studying at the Pasadena Playhouse, he and classmate Dustin Hoffman were famously voted “least likely to succeed.”

Hackman proved critics wrong, earning his first major film role in 1964’s Lilith opposite Warren Beatty. His breakthrough came in 1967 when he played Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde, securing his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

However, his real ascent to the Hollywood A-list came in 1971, when he starred as relentless detective "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Hackman’s diverse roles spanned across action, drama, and comedy. He appeared in blockbusters like The Poseidon Adventure, Superman (as Lex Luthor), and A Bridge Too Far, while also delivering critically acclaimed performances in Night Moves, Scarecrow, and The Conversation.

Despite turning down roles in Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hackman remained in high demand. In the 1980s, he earned another Oscar nomination for Mississippi Burning before winning his second Academy Award in 1992 for Best Supporting Actor in Unforgiven.

Other major roles included Hoosiers, The Firm, Crimson Tide, and The Birdcage. His final film, Welcome to Mooseport (2004), marked the end of a 40-year acting career.

A Quiet Retirement and Second Career

After retiring from Hollywood, Hackman transitioned into writing. He co-authored five historical fiction novels, with his last book, Pursuit, released in 2011.

Despite leaving the spotlight, he remained in the public eye through occasional interviews and rare public appearances. In a 2009 interview, Hackman reflected on his mortality, saying:

“I have the normal fear of passing away. I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age. I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of fears.”

He and Arakawa were last seen together in public during a lunch outing in Santa Fe last year, where they appeared in good spirits.

Unanswered Questions Remain

While authorities have ruled out immediate foul play, the cause of death remains undetermined. Investigators are awaiting a search warrant before conducting further inquiries.

Hackman’s death marks the end of a remarkable legacy—one filled with unforgettable performances and an indelible impact on cinema. His work, as George Takei noted, will indeed live on forever.