Actor Gene Hackman, the legendary two-time Academy Award winner known for his powerful performances in films like The French Connection and Unforgiven, was found dead at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. He was 95 years old. Alongside him, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, aged 64, and their pet dog were also found deceased. Local authorities have stated that there are no immediate signs of foul play, though investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact cause of death.
Hackman, a towering figure in Hollywood, built a career spanning over four decades and left an indelible mark on the industry. He won his first Oscar for Best Actor in The French Connection (1971), where he played the relentless detective Popeye Doyle, and later secured another Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992). He was also widely known for his portrayal of the iconic villain Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequel Superman II (1980). His other acclaimed films include Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Mississippi Burning (1988), Hoosiers (1986), and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), among many others. Throughout his career, he also earned four Golden Globe Awards, two BAFTA Awards, and multiple other accolades, solidifying his place as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Despite his immense success in Hollywood, Hackman chose to step away from acting after starring in Welcome to Mooseport (2004). In 2008, he officially confirmed his retirement, citing health concerns and a desire to pursue other passions. In the years that followed, he focused on writing and went on to publish several historical and Western-themed novels.
Born on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, Hackman had a difficult childhood, marked by his parents’ divorce when he was a teenager. At the age of 16, he left home and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served for four and a half years before pursuing acting. He trained at the Pasadena Playhouse alongside his lifelong friend Dustin Hoffman and later moved to New York to establish himself in the industry.
Hackman was married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was to Faye Maltese, with whom he had three children—Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne Hackman. After their divorce in 1986, he married classical pianist Betsy Arakawa in 1991. The couple lived a quiet life in New Mexico, largely away from the public eye, until their tragic passing.
News of his death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond, with tributes pouring in from fellow actors, filmmakers, and fans who have long admired his incredible body of work. Many consider Hackman one of the finest actors of his generation, known for his versatility, intensity, and the ability to completely immerse himself in his characters. His legacy in cinema will undoubtedly live on, as his performances continue to inspire future generations of actors.
