Two-time Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, reportedly exhibited “no external trauma”, based on initial findings from a medical investigation.
The 95-year-old actor and 65-year-old Ms. Arakawa were discovered deceased alongside their dog at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Authorities have indicated that there were no evident signs of foul play.
Their remains were located in different rooms at approximately 1:45 PM local time yesterday, as stated by the Santa Fe County sheriff’s office.
In a revised statement, the sheriff’s office mentioned that post-mortem examinations were performed, and preliminary results “revealed no external trauma to either individual”.
The New Mexico Gas Company inspected the gas lines surrounding the home after the bodies were found, according to a search warrant. While no issues were detected, a detective noted that individuals exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide may not exhibit signs of poisoning.
The sheriff’s office sought a search warrant yesterday evening, informing the judge that the deaths were “suspicious enough in nature to necessitate a comprehensive search and investigation.”
The warrant request indicated that a maintenance worker who found the bodies had discovered the front door of the home ajar, though there were no signs of forced entry, and there were no clear indications of a gas leak.
Sheriff’s deputies located Mr. Hackman in the kitchen, while Ms. Arakawa and the dog, who was contained in a crate, were found in a bathroom.
Both Mr. Hackman and Ms. Arakawa appeared to have collapsed suddenly, with neither indicating signs of blunt force trauma, as detailed in the affidavit.
Two other dogs were found alive outside of their crates, maneuvering freely in and out of the house via a pet door.
Mr. Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, along with his granddaughter Annie, expressed that they will miss the actor “deeply” and are “heartbroken by the loss.”
A statement to the PA news agency conveyed: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy.”
“He was loved and cherished by millions worldwide for his remarkable acting career, but to us, he was always simply Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him deeply and are devastated by this loss.”
Gene Hackman 1930-2025: A Life in Pictures
Mr. Hackman, a former Marine recognized for his distinctive raspy voice, featured in over 80 films, as well as on television and stage throughout a prolific career that commenced in the early 1960s.
Hackman celebrated his 95th birthday in January. The double Oscar recipient, regarded as one of the greatest actors in cinematic history, stepped away from acting in 2004.
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He won the Best Actor Oscar in 1972 for his unforgettable performance as detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in William Friedkin’s The French Connection.
Hackman received the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1993 for his portrayal of the menacing sheriff ‘Little’ Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s western, Unforgiven.
Born in San Bernardino, California in 1930, Eugene Alder Hackman enlisted in the US Marines, even falsifying his age to join.
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He served from 1947 to 1952 as a field radio operator before transitioning to a career in broadcast journalism. Later, he studied journalism and television production at the University of Illinois but shifted gears to pursue acting at the age of 30.
He was friends and classmates with future co-star Dustin Hoffman at the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where they were humorously deemed ‘The Least Likely to Succeed’ by their peers.
Hackman and Hoffman relocated to New York to advance their careers, sharing living quarters with another future Oscar winner, Robert Duvall, as they sought their big break.
Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow and Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde
After taking on minor roles and Off-Broadway appearances, Hackman made his Broadway debut in Children from Their Games in 1963. He found Broadway success the following year in Any Wednesday, while his significant break in film came with Lillith in the same year.
He received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde, a film that propelled him to international recognition. Another Best Supporting Actor nomination followed for his role in 1970’s I Never Sang for My Father.
Gene Hackman as Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection
Then came the pivotal role in 1971 that established him as a leading man – Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection.
Ironically, director Friedkin initially believed Hackman was unsuitable for the role of Doyle, and several other actors were considered before Hackman ultimately secured the part.
Gene Hackman as Harry Caul in the classic conspiracy thriller The Conversation
His extensive filmography includes notable works like The Conversation, The Poseidon Adventure, French Connection II, Superman and its sequels, Mississippi Burning, The Firm, and The Royal Tenenbaums.
Among Hackman’s numerous accolades are BAFTA awards for Best Actor for The French Connection/The Poseidon Adventure and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven; Golden Globes for The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums; and the Silver Bear award from the Berlin International Film Festival for Mississippi Burning.
In a 1986 interview with Terry Wogan on BBC One’s Wogan, Hackman reflected on his career, stating: “I never had any lofty aspirations as an actor. All I wanted was to work. I loved it immensely…”
Residing outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, Hackman was married twice and had three children – Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne – with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, who passed away in 2017. He married Ms. Arakawa in 1991.
