Despite spending over two decades away from the limelight, Gene Hackman’s ties to Hollywood were unquestionable. With two Academy Awards, a career spanning more than four decades, and numerous roles on both screen and stage, his impact will endure even after his passing.
In a statement to TopMob News, his daughters Elizabeth Hackman, Leslie Hackman, and granddaughter Annie Hackman expressed their profound affection for him, saying “The world knew him as a brilliant actor, but to us he was always Dad and Grandpa. We will deeply miss him and are heartbroken by the loss.”
On February 26, authorities confirmed that Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa (age 64), and one of their dogs were found deceased in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The exact cause of death is still undisclosed.
At a press conference on February 27, Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that there was no immediate indication of foul play, but the investigation remains ongoing as they have not ruled it out entirely.
Based on an affidavit for a search warrant obtained by NBC News, Detective Roy Arndt states his belief that the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two individuals are concerning enough to necessitate a comprehensive search and investigation.
According to the records, authorities received a call at approximately 1:43 p.m. on February 26th from a maintenance worker who reported finding two individuals deceased in the house. The affidavit indicates that the caller was one of two workers at the property who informed deputies they performed regular maintenance for the homeowners and had discovered the house’s door slightly open. It also mentions that no signs of forced entry into the home were observed by the deputies.
Upon entering the premises, the affidavit goes on to say, a deputy found a woman deceased on the bathroom floor with a space heater nearby, leading them to believe the heater may have fallen if the woman had suddenly collapsed. The documents also note an opened prescription bottle containing pills on the bathroom countertop.
Ten to 15 feet away in a bathroom closet, the documents continue, a deceased German Shepherd was discovered. There were two living dogs found on the property as well.
The affidavit states that a male deceased individual was found in what appeared to be the home’s mudroom—with the deputy suspecting he may have simply fallen.
The records state that there was no indication that the residence had been searched through or items were taken from inside, and there were no signs of a gas leak either.
Having been born in San Bernardino, California, Hackman spent many decades calling New Mexico his home instead. After working on several films in Santa Fe, the star of The French Connection expressed to Architectural Digest in 1990 that he found the city possessed a unique charm, which he affectionately referred to as “a kind of magic.” This enchanting locale held a special place for Hackman and his wife Arakawa. In another interview with Charlie Rose in 1999, he mentioned that they both enjoyed the city’s cultural offerings, as he is an artist and his wife is a classical pianist.
As reported by The New York Times, Hackman encountered Arakawa in the mid-80s at a fitness center in California. Prior to this, he was married to Faye Maltese and is the father of two daughters and one son named Christopher.
In 1982, Hackman and Maltese parted ways and divorced four years later. Contrary to his character in the 1985 film “Twice in a Lifetime,” he clarified to Florida’s Sun Sentinel that he did not leave his real-life wife for a younger woman, stating instead that they simply grew apart. The star of “Unforgiven” also acknowledged that maintaining a relationship while working in the spotlight was challenging, expressing that marriage requires a lot of effort and love to keep it going.
Over the course of his acting career, Hackman played diverse roles in films such as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle from The French Connection, Lex Luthor in the Superman series, and Coach Norman Dale in Hoosiers. He also graced several Broadway stages with performances in Children From Their Games, Any Wednesday, and Death and the Maiden. In 2009, Hackman shared with Empire that he relished being on set or stage, engaged in the process of creating characters, and that a sense of confidence and serene contentment washed over him during successful performances.
Yet, the actor, who played the patriarch in The Royal Tenenbaums and a president in Absolute Power, didn’t experience the same enthusiasm for other parts of the profession.
He noted that while the professional aspect of the entertainment industry can be harsh, ‘you go from absorbing as much knowledge as possible from fellow actors, directors, and all related influences, to a lunch meeting with an agent or producer about another project, or events on the current film. It’s like being tossed between a frying pan. At my age and with my health concerns, I chose not to continue that way of life.’
Indeed, Hackman’s health issues led him to retire from Hollywood following the completion of his last film, the 2004 political satirical comedy “Welcome to Mooseport”.
In an interview with Empire, the star of Mississippi Burning explained that a stress test he took in New York was the final straw that revealed his heart wasn’t in optimal condition to handle additional stress.
Despite his career in movies winding down, Hackman still found pleasure in this more tranquil phase of life. In his spare time, the actor from “The Conversation” would watch DVDs that his wife rented, appreciating the straightforward narratives some low-budget films offered. Additionally, he was a regular viewer of Comedy Central marathons every Friday night, with comedian Eddie Izzard among his favorites. Hackman also enjoyed painting and dining on fish.
Though he no longer acted, Hackman didn’t fully retire from his various pursuits. He collaborated with Daniel Lenihan on several books, such as “Justice for None” and “Escape from Andersonville,” and penned a few solo works like “Pursuit” and “Payback at Morning Peak.”
When asked about transitioning from acting to writing, Hackman commented that it felt natural. “As an actor, you ask yourself questions like ‘where am I coming from? Where am I going? What do I want?’ These three simple questions can take you far in acting. As a writer, you can start asking the same questions.
In the ’80s and ’90s, Hackman and Arakawa frequently appeared together at award ceremonies, film premieres, and sports events. However, they’ve maintained a more secluded lifestyle in recent years, with their last known joint appearance being in March 2024. Yet, he’s been openly content with his daily life in Santa Fe.
In 1999, he shared with Rose: “I consider my life as truly remarkable.” Reflecting on his experiences, he felt grateful for the chances he’d been given to achieve what he did. For a glimpse into Hackman’s life journey, continue scrolling.
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2025-02-28 00:47