Gene Hackman’s Cause of Death Revealed

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It is currently thought that the renowned Oscar-winning actor, Gene Hackman, succumbed to heart disease about a week following his wife’s death from hantavirus. Due to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, it’s possible he may not have been aware of his wife’s passing.

As reported by the Associated Press, Dr. Heather Jarrell, Santa Fe’s chief medical examiner, determined that the deaths of actor Kirk Douglas (95) and his wife Betsy Arakawa (65) were due to natural causes. Their bodies were discovered approximately a week following Douglas’ passing in their New Mexico residence.

The report indicates that Arakawa’s passing appears to be connected to a severe and uncommon condition known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which can be deadly. This disease is typically reported during spring and summer, often arising from encounters with rodent droppings in households, sheds, or poorly ventilated spaces. Notably, Arakawa’s case marks the first instance of hantavirus detected in New Mexico for the year 2025.

As a long-time admirer and critic of movies, I can’t help but reflect on the illustrious career of two-time Academy Award winner Gene Hackman. Known for his exceptional performances in films like “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” he gracefully hung up his acting boots in 2003 and since then, he has chosen a more secluded lifestyle. Interestingly enough, during his retirement years, he also ventured into the realm of writing, penning several works of historical fiction.

Sadly, Hackman, who was battling heart disease and had a pacemaker, last showed signs of life on February 18, just over a week before it’s believed that his partner, Arakawa, passed away. Their bodies were discovered in their shared home on February 26.

Jarrell stated that Hackman was dealing with a substantial cardiac condition, and furthermore, he believed it led to his demise.

Gene Hackman Movies to Watch on Streaming

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

A year after Gene Hackman won his first Oscar for “The French Connection,” he starred in one of the seminal disaster films from the 1970s, “The Poseidon Adventure.” In this movie, an illustrious cast including Shelley Winters, Ernest Borgnine, Roddy McDowell, Leslie Nielsen, and Red Buttons struggle to escape a cruise ship that has been flipped by a colossal tidal wave. Hackman portrays Reverend Frank Scott, who guides a group of survivors towards the ship’s bottom (now closest to the surface), while confronting his faith throughout their perilous journey. With an impassioned performance, Hackman demonstrated his ability to hold the screen captivatingly amidst grand spectacle and visual effects. (Now streaming on Starz.)

The Conversation (1974)

Between the release of the first two “Godfather” movies, Francis Ford Coppola created one of his lesser-known masterpieces: “The Conversation.” This film featured Hackman as Harry Caul, a surveillance expert who becomes increasingly anxious when he uncovers what appears to be proof of a crime on a recording. A classic thriller from the 1970s, a lesson in cinematography and sound editing, and thanks to Hackman’s performance, an intriguing character study of a tormented solitary figure, “The Conversation” could very well be the best film on this list. (Currently available for streaming on Paramount+ and the Criterion Channel.)

Night Moves (1975)

Perhaps the standout film from this list is “Night Moves,” a less popular but equally grim neo-noir where Hackman plays a private investigator grappling with a mystery that constantly eludes him. Working again with director Arthur Penn, Hackman delivers another profoundly troubled and emotionally detached character in Harry Moseby, a former athlete turned skip tracer tasked with finding a missing actress’ daughter. “Night Moves” is one of my favorite detective movies because the central enigma isn’t about figuring out what happened to the missing girl or identifying the killer, but rather understanding why everything seems so bleak and hopeless. It’s a mystery that could keep you searching for answers throughout your life, and you might find yourself ending up just as lost as Harry, going in circles. (Now streaming on Watch TCM.)

Superman: The Movie (1978)

In the expensive movie version of DC’s Superman, it was crucial to have an impressive screen presence to portray the villainous Lex Luthor opposite Christopher Reeve’s Man of Steel, and Gene Hackman fit the bill perfectly. He appeared in three out of the four Superman films starring Reeve (he missed out on 1983’s Superman III), playing Luthor as a charmingly sinister adversary while donning a series of wigs. It is said that Hackman refused to shave his head for the role, as Luthor is known to be bald. However, he did make a brief appearance in a bald cap at the end of the movie. (You can watch it currently on Max.)

Unforgiven (1992)

Hackman earned his second Oscar, portraying the antagonist in Clint Eastwood’s contemplative Western film, “Unforgiven.” This movie delves into the long-lasting impact of violence that marked the American frontier. In the early 1990s, Hackman had matured into a highly intimidating and deeply human screen presence. Throughout the decade, he played one villain after another, each one terrifying yet profoundly human. Among his best performances during this time is undoubtedly Little Bill in “Unforgiven.” (This film is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.)

The Firm (1993)

In the ’90s, adaptations of John Grisham’s novels were extremely popular, and Gene Hackman starred in many of them. He played pivotal roles in “The Chamber”, “Runaway Jury”, and most memorably “The Firm”, Grisham’s iconic thriller about an ambitious young lawyer (Tom Cruise) who uncovers the horrifying reality beneath his dream job at a prestigious law firm. During this time, Cruise enjoyed acting alongside established movie stars, and Hackman was a perfect match for Cruise as his morally questionable mentor. Few actors could portray sympathetic yet morally compromised characters quite like Gene Hackman. (Now streaming on Paramount+.)

Get Shorty (1995)

During the 1990s, Hackman often portrayed corrupt villains; however, he also demonstrated his knack for light-hearted comedy in “Get Shorty,” a wittily amusing take on Elmore Leonard’s novel. This story revolves around John Travolta as a loan shark who unexpectedly enters the movie business. Hackman plays a minor film director with a significant gambling addiction, a character who, despite not being morally upstanding, manages to elicit empathy (and in this case, laughter) from the audience thanks to Hackman’s exceptional talent. (Currently available for streaming on Prime Video.)

The Quick and the Dead (1995)

Although Clint Eastwood’s role in the ’90s Western film “Unforgiven” gained him the most recognition, he also delivered a compelling performance in the less celebrated but undeniably exciting Sam Raimi Western titled “The Quick and the Dead.” In this film, Hackman once again took on the menacing antagonist role, providing an imposing counterpart to Sharon Stone and a group of rising stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. In the movie, Hackman plays the corrupt mayor of a Western town hosting a tournament to find the fastest gun in the West. Sam Raimi’s cinematography and editing provide the style, while Hackman’s gritty portrayal brings the substance to the story. (Currently available for streaming on Hulu.)

Twilight (1998)

Stepping back into the gritty underbelly of Southern California, I found myself immersed in the intriguing world of “Twilight.” In this gripping tale, I portray a fading movie star on his deathbed, enlisting the aid of a private detective to solve a case. Although “Twilight” may not be a cinematic tour de force, it certainly delivers a dense neo-noir ambiance that’s hard to resist. What makes this film exceptional is the chance to witness me sharing screen time with two legendary actors: Paul Newman and Susan Sarandon. If you haven’t already, don’t miss out on catching this captivating drama streaming on Pluto TV.

Welcome to Mooseport (2004)

In his swan song before retirement, Hackman appeared in an obscure political satire titled “Welcome to Mooseport.” He portrays the former U.S. President who relocates to a quaint Maine town and competes against a local plumber (Ray Romano) for the mayoral position. Despite not being a cinematic classic, this film holds significant historical importance as Hackman’s final Hollywood role. You can catch it streaming on Prime Video at present.

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2025-03-08 03:24