Legendary Actor Gene Hackman, Wife, and Dog Discovered Deceased in Santa Fe Home
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Synopsis
Iconic US actor Gene Hackman has been found deceased at his Santa Fe home, alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog. Renowned for memorable roles in films like 'The French Connection' and 'Superman', Hackman's passing at age 95 marks a significant loss in the film industry.
Key Takeaways
- Gene Hackman was a celebrated actor known for iconic roles.
- He won an Academy Award for 'Unforgiven'.
- Hackman played Lex Luthor in the Superman films.
- His career spanned six decades.
- He was found dead with his wife and dog in Santa Fe.
Los Angeles, Feb 27 (NationPress) Legendary US actor Gene Hackman, celebrated for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of an American drug enforcement agent in the gripping thriller "The French Connection", as well as Superman's formidable foe Lex Luthor, and the FBI agent probing the murder of civil rights activists in the Southern US in "Mississippi Burning", was discovered dead at his residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 95.
Alongside him were found his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog, according to local authorities.
"We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail," stated the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office.
"This is an ongoing investigation - however, we do not suspect foul play at this time."
On February 26, 2025, at around 1:45 PM, Santa Fe County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call at an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead," the Sheriff's office reported.
Beyond his role as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in "The French Connection", Eugene 'Gene' Allen Hackman had a remarkable film career that spanned over six decades, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Clint Eastwood's Western "Unforgiven".
His other notable Oscar-nominated performances included roles in "Bonnie and Clyde" alongside Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, "I Never Sang for My Father", and "Mississippi Burning".
However, Hackman is perhaps most recognized for his portrayal of the supervillain Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeve-led Superman films during the 1970s and 1980s. His performance as the stoic Polish Major General Stanisław Sosabowski in Richard Attenborough's ensemble war film "The Bridge Too Far" was also remarkable in a film filled with iconic characters.
Reflecting on his entry into the film industry after serving in the US Marine Corps, Hackman once remarked: "I suppose I wanted to be an actor from the time I was about 10, maybe even younger than that. Memories of early movies I had watched and actors I admired like James Cagney and Errol Flynn inspired me. After eight years in New York without a job, selling ladies' shoes, polishing leather furniture, and driving a truck, I believe if you have the passion and desire, you can achieve your dreams."
He cited Marlon Brando's performance in "A Streetcar Named Desire" as a significant influence on his acting, praising the naturalness he embodied.
Director Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in "The Conversation", referred to him as "a great artist".
"Gene Hackman was a phenomenal actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and depth. I mourn his loss while celebrating his life and contributions," Coppola expressed in an Instagram post.
