Gene Hackman and His Wife Found Dead at Their Santa Fe Home

Santa Fe, New Mexico, Feb 27, 2025 – Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, alongside their dog. Hackman, 95, had a remarkable career spanning over six decades, with two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award to his name.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office confirmed the discovery, stating that both Hackman and his wife were found deceased on Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail. Sheriff Adan Mendoza assured the public that although an active investigation is underway, there is no indication of foul play at this stage.

Hackman won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in the 1971 thriller The French Connection and earned a second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven (1992). He was also nominated for the Oscar for his roles in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).

The actor, whose career spanned a wide variety of roles, was also famously known for playing Lex Luthor in the Superman films of the 1970s and 1980s. His extensive filmography includes other notable works such as The Poseidon Adventure (1972), The Conversation (1974), Runaway Jury (2003), and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). Hackman’s last on-screen appearance came in Welcome to Mooseport in 2004.

Born in California in 1930, Hackman served in the army at the age of 16 before pursuing a career in acting. He studied at the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where he formed a close friendship with a young Dustin Hoffman. Hackman’s career took off in the early 1970s, with The French Connection marking his breakthrough role as the gritty New York City detective, Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle.

Throughout his career, Hackman was married twice. He and his first wife, Faye Maltese, were together for 30 years and raised three children before their divorce in 1986. He later married Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist, with whom he spent his final years, largely staying out of the public eye. The couple made rare public appearances, including at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, where Hackman received the Cecil B. deMille Award.

In his later years, Hackman announced his retirement from acting, stating that he no longer wished to take on acting roles and instead focused on his passion for writing novels. He once described his transition from acting to writing by saying, "I was trained to be an actor, not a star... I think it costs me a lot emotionally to watch myself on-screen."

Hackman’s legacy as one of Hollywood's most respected and versatile actors remains undisputed, with an enduring impact on both the film industry and popular culture.