The youths don’t know, but Gene Hackman was one of the greatest actors ever and a true American classic. He came up around the same time as Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall (two of his closest friends) and he was beloved by colleagues and directors across the board. There never was one “Gene Hackman character” – he could do anything, from paranoid conspiracists to evil presidents to romantic leading men to cowboys, cops and military men. He was even a gifted comedian to boot. Hackman retired from acting two decades ago, and he lived quietly in New Mexico with his wife and dog. He has passed away at the age of 95. His wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, has passed away as well.
Gene Hackman, who never fit the mold of a Hollywood movie star, but who became one all the same, playing seemingly ordinary characters with deceptive subtlety, intensity and often charm in some of the most noted films of the 1970s and ’80s, has died, the authorities in New Mexico said on Thursday. He was 95.
Mr. Hackman and his wife were found dead on Wednesday afternoon at a home in Santa Fe., N.M., where they had been living, according to a statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff’s deputies found the bodies of Mr. Hackman; his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64; and a dog, according to the statement, which said that foul play was not suspected.
Mr. Hackman was nominated for five Academy Awards and won two during a 40-year career in which he appeared in films seen and remembered by millions, among them “Bonnie and Clyde,” “The French Connection,” “The Poseidon Adventure,” “Mississippi Burning,” “Unforgiven,” “Superman,” “Hoosiers” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.”
Sheriff Adan Mendoza also told the media that the family dog died in the house as well, but “there was no immediate indication of foul play in the deaths” and the sheriff also did not indicate anything about the cause of death. My God. Gene and Betsy had been married for 33 years, and Gene is survived by his three adult children from his first marriage. I might have to watch The Royal Tenenbaums tonight in his honor. Two of my favorite stories about Hackman: he said “no” to The Royal Tenenbaums several times because he didn’t like the character of Royal, so Wes Anderson rewrote it with Gene’s notes and Gene fleshed it out even more and basically bullied Anderson into letting him go buckwild in that role. Gene also said no to his old friend Clint Eastwood when Eastwood approached him about Unforgiven and Clint basically had to beg him to do it (Hackman won an Oscar for it).
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- THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS / The Royal Tenenbaums USA 2001 / Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson Royal Tenenbaum (GENE HACKMAN) verließ seine Frau Etheline schon, als ihre drei Kinder noch klein waren. Unter der Obhut der Mutter wuchsen die Drei zu erfolgreichen Jugendlichen heran. Chas war schon als Teenager ein erfolgreicher Immobilien-Händler, Margot gewann schon Literaturpreise bevor sie aufs Gymnasium kam und Richie gewann dreimal in Folge die amerikanischen Tennis-Meisterschaften. Doch in den Mitt-20ern haben alle persönliche Probleme und kehren nach Hause zurück. Mutter Etheline ist gerade dabei den Heiratsantrag ihres Steuerberaters in Erwägung zu ziehen, als plötzlich Royal wieder auftaucht. Er ist pleite und will sich wieder im Heim einnisten. Doch nicht nur Egoismus treibt ihn, er will die alten Bande wieder knüpfen und seine Frau und seine Kinder zurückgewinnen… Regie: Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson aka. The Royal Tenenbaums / THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS USA 2001,Image: 136739311, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Nur redaktionelle Nutzung im Zusammenhang mit dem Film. Editorial usage only and only related to the movie. Im Falle anderer Verwendungen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte. For other uses, please contact us., Model Release: no, Credit line: kpa Publicity/Avalon/Avalon
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- FRENCH CONNECTION- Der New Yorker Drogenfahnder Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (GENE HACKMAN) ist einem großen Drogendeal auf der Spur. Eine millionenschwere Ladung Heroin soll aus Marseille nach New York geschmuggelt werden. Bei der Übergabe des Stoffes kommt es zu einer wilden Schießerei, bei der Doyle aus Versehen einen Kollegen erschießt. Der Drogenboss Charnier aber kann entkommen… Regie: William Friedkin aka. French Connection / FRENCH CONNECTION USA 1971,Image: 136849878, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Nur redaktionelle Nutzung im Zusammenhang mit dem Film. Editorial usage only and only related to the movie. Im Falle anderer Verwendungen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte. For other uses, please contact us., Model Release: no, Credit line: kpa Publicity/Avalon/Avalon
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- Die Firma, Firm, The, Die Firma, Firm, The, Avery Tolar (Gene Hackman) *** Local Caption *** 1993,Image: 378682693, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Nur redaktionelle Nutzung im Zusammenhang mit dem Film. Editorial usage only and only related to the movie. Im Falle anderer Verwendungen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte. For other uses, please contact us., Model Release: no, Pictured: Sydney Pollack, Credit line: IFA Film/Avalon/Avalon
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- Erbarmungslos / Hackman, Gene,Image: 379570954, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Nur redaktionelle Nutzung im Zusammenhang mit dem Film. Editorial usage only and only related to the film., Model Release: no, Credit line: /Avalon/Avalon
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- French Connection II (1975) Directed by John Frankenheimer,Image: 420493389, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WENN does not claim any ownership including but not limited to Copyright, License in attached material. Fees charged by WENN are for WENN's services only, do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any ownership of Copyright, License in material. By publishing this material you expressly agree to indemnify, to hold WENN, its directors, shareholders, employees harmless from any loss, claims, damages, demands, expenses (including legal fees), any causes of action, allegation against WENN arising out of, connected in any way with publication of the material., Model Release: no, Pictured: Gene Hackman, Credit line: WENN.com/Wenn/Avalon
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- The French Connection (1971) Directed by William Friedkin,Image: 420493390, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WENN does not claim any ownership including but not limited to Copyright, License in attached material. Fees charged by WENN are for WENN's services only, do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any ownership of Copyright, License in material. By publishing this material you expressly agree to indemnify, to hold WENN, its directors, shareholders, employees harmless from any loss, claims, damages, demands, expenses (including legal fees), any causes of action, allegation against WENN arising out of, connected in any way with publication of the material., Model Release: no, Pictured: Gene Hackman, Credit line: WENN.com/Wenn/Avalon
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- New York, NY, New York, NY, 10/24/2007 – Gene Hackman leaving The Carlyle hotel in Manhattan. -PICTURED: Gene Hackman -PHOTO by: Jayme Oak/startraksphoto.com -BRS10798 #Event/#Photo= 2EB115E2189/2EB115E3004 Featuring: Gene Hackman Where: New York, New York, United States When: 24 Oct 2007 Credit: Jayme Oak/startraksphoto.com
RIP Gene. What an incredible talent!
He’s long been one of my favorite actors and the French Connection is one of my favorite movies. I agree that he has such range, he can do just about anything. He’s one of those that disappeared into a role – you never saw a Movie Stah – but yet had character actor charisma to burn. No mannered or Method acting, just showing us with each role what Everyman has inside of him. RIP.
The deaths sound sus, though? Gene was very old, but his wife was comparatively young…
It sounds like possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Killed the dog too. Terrible tragedy. Please check your furnaces!
When they said no foul play my immediate thought was carbon monoxide too.
I think it was carbon monoxide poisoning too.
Carbon monoxide poisoning came to mind, too. A neighbor’s whole family died from it over Christmas. Please ensure all your carbon monoxide detectors work! (After checking your furnace). And please consider buying a plug-in CO2 detector- we take one on vacation when we rent from VRBO , or a place like it. They are not very expensive.
He was 95 but his wife was only 64. Has to be CO poisoning. So sad.
Police now beginning an investigation as no evidence of gas leak
They are also now saying the wife was partially mummified which takes a lot of time and the dog was found in the bathroom closest. So terribly sad but weird
I’m oddly devastated by this. His beautiful wife and dog too?! I adored his work, and I’m sure his wife has her own dedicated fans, being a classical musician.
What a weird and sad day, I’m the same age as Michelle Trachtenberg so it was awful to hear that news earlier, but I haven’t actually seen any of her shows. I’m just totally shocked and unsettled by this one.
RIP gene, royal tenebaums is one of my favourite films. But also, so sad about Michelle trachtenberg, and how much this will overshadow her death. Sad day all around.
Hackman in the GREATEST imo.😞😞😞😞😞😞😞
Comedy, Drama, Thriller – He could do it all. With an ease, a finesse unmatched.
The French Connection, The Firm, Scarecrow, Superman, A Few Good Men, Unforgiven, The Birdcage, Mississippi Burning.
No other actor – male or female – has shown Hackman’s versatility and empathy in roles.
Incredible guy.
I also love that he retired, rather then spending his twilight years doing schlock!
* I meant No Way Out, not A Few Good Men*😉
Ahhh No Way Out, what a great movie! Forgot about that one!
Yes, wonderful actor. We will miss. You all above mentioned great movies….. however… THE CONVERSATION!!! Now that was an awesome movie. RIP Gene.
Carbon monoxide? What else could be lethal for all of them? Really sad.
Yes I think that’s likely, or some other similar hazard.
That was my first guess.
The dog is making me think carbon monoxide, that’s my first guess. My second guess is terminal diagnosis for one of them (probably Gene) and assisted suicide followed by suicide by the other because they can’t live without the other. I just don’t see that either of them would commit malicious violence against the other. But still the dog…it’s probably carbon monoxide or something similar, since it seemed to happen overnight when they wouldn’t have noticed symptoms.
Oh how very sad. RIP
How sad. What a legend. No Way Out and Runaway Jury are two of my favorites.
For me it’s The French Connection, Hoosiers and No Way Out. Amazing talent! RIP Gene and his wife.
I love his “prestige” movies like TFC and Hoosiers, but he’s wonderful in The Firm—gives it unexpected heart and steals the film. And given the talent there, that is no mean feat.
How sad! As much as I love Gene Hackman, my mother really, really adores him. He has been her celebrity crush for decades.
He’s my favorite actor of all time and has been my celebrity crush forever as well.
Back when The Replacements was filming in Baltimore, I saw Keanu Reeves in person waiting in line at a movie theater. Beyond the fact that Keanu is the single most beautiful human being I’ve ever seen in my life, I was sooooooooo disappointed that he wasn’t Gene Hackman. He’s in so many of my favorite movies. I knew it was going to happen at some point given his age, but I am crushed over his passing, especially given the likely circumstances.
Why rule out foul play so quickly when more than one person plus a pet died!?
It means that there is no evidence that they died due to the actions of another party, such as homicide.
Likely because if it was foul play it would be pretty obvious. Imagine they’ll do toxicology but odds are it was carbon monoxide, as the signs are usually clear, or worst case they had some sort of suicide pact.
I immediately assumed suicide pact but of course, it could have been accidental as well. So very sad. I hope they are all at peace.
My first thought was that Gene passed away from natural causes and wife was so distraught she took her own life and that of the dog so that it wouldn’t be left alone. From my observations, people who have been married that long (happily married) don’t like being left behind…. Hopefully, I am 100% incorrect. Though, a carbon monoxide accident would be equally as tragic.
There will be a difference in presentation between a poisoning/ drugging and a carbon monoxide death, for example, even if the people are found in the same position (in bed, for example).
The fact they made that comment before formal pathology was done, indicates it was probably very likely what had occurred and out of respect to the deceased’s family, they did not want any speculation that was completely unwarranted.
Bonnie and Clyde as Clyde’s brother, Buck. He was the best. I first saw it in the theater first run, 1967. I’m embarrassed to say how many times since I’ve seen it.
He and estelle Parsons were so great in that film.
One of my all-time favorites.
It was a fairly small part but I loved him in The Birdcage.
The dinner scene in the birdcage was a riot.
He was hysterical in The Birdcage!!
He’s brilliantly funny in The Birdcage. “Don’t leave me here! I don’t want to be the only girl not dancing!”
Oh he was hysterically funny in The Birdcage. RIP Gene. 💔
I loved him in that too! I’m so sad this happened. His wife was an accomplished classical musician and I’m sad their dog also died. I am so sorry for his children. To lose loved ones so suddenly is incomprehensible.
You were the great one Gene. 👍👍👍
I mean who else could carry off the heavy in A Few Good Men and then make us pi$$ with laughter in The Birdcage.
RIP.
Gene Hackman was not in A Few Good Men. You’re’ probably thinking of Jack Nicholson.
Thanks.👍 I meant No Way Out.
Gene Hackman was one of my favorite actors. If he was in a movie, more than likely I was going to go and see it. Such a talent.
When I first read the report, I wondered if it was carbon monoxide poisoning since everyone in the home was found dead. May they RIP.
Oh my God. He was so amazing and versatile and just so truthful in his acting. RIP to both of them. Between Michelle and now this good lord 💔💔💔💔
Runaway jury, the replacements, postcards from the edge. So many amazing performances. No matter the size of the role, or the overall quality of the film, he always gave his best.
Hackman was one of the great talents of his generation, yes, but he was also a genuinely gracious human being. I had the chance to spend 10 weeks with him on a movie set with maybe seven other really big names and he was, hands down, the most kind and normal person. I mean, just wonderful.
Such a lovely first-hand account of him, thanks for posting.
RIP to a legend!
I’ve heard similar accounts throughout his career. So nice for you to have that experience and lasting memory.
That’s amazing. Thanks for sharing.
I hope for the family’s sake that this was mechanical/chemical e.g. monoxide poisoning, as opposed to a more nefarious option.
So talented, both of them. He made it to 95, but his wife only 64. Had to be CO with dog too, and they were found in the afternoon by a neighbor.
“I was going to make espresso!”
OK, none of you have mentioned Heartbreakers and he is just hilarious in it as an aging tobacco executive targeted by golddiggers. I love GH as a slithery establishment villian in a conspiracy thriller, but when he’s funny, it’s a beautiful thing.
Got to admit. My favorite role of Mr. Hackman’s is that of the blind man in Young Frankenstein. I still laugh at that scene of him with Frankenstein with the soup and cigars no matter how many times I’ve seen it.
I will always have such a soft spot for him because he was great in one of my favorite movies ever, The Birdcage. So, so funny!
I loved him in Young Frankenstein. I don’t think he ever made a bad movie and had a stunning range. No other actor has bounced as effortlessly between villian/good guy and comedy/drama. Condolences to the family and rest in peace.
No reported signs of violence or a break in plus the dog also passing is giving me accidental carbon monoxide. But not ruling out suicide pact, perhaps because of a terminal diagnosis for one of them. I’m just not getting a vibe of malicious foul play.
I have always loved him (even when he went through a phase where he was doing a lot of movies—good and bad.) That one of his last films was the Royal Tenenbaums was a great finale.
It looks like their deaths are more complicated than carbon monoxide. Really strange aspects of the scene around both his and his wife’s bodies and their 1 dog who died (2 others didn’t)
https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/actor-gene-hackman-wife-found-dead-home-sheriff/story?id=119242578
The dead dog was in a bathroom closet. That seems weird.
Yes the specifics that have come out are really strange if accurate. I read he was found in the mud room, his wife and dog in the bathroom, and maybe a prescription bottle contents scattered? And a worker came to do maintenance at the house and the front door was either open or unlocked, I wasn’t clear. The details are more than a little strange.
Oh. This hurts.
A favorite actor. Such a talented man, and more importantly, a very decent person.
A sad loss, RIP.
One of my favorite actors of all time. Just for The Conversation and The Royal Tenenbaums he is immortal. RIP Gene and Betsy, so sad.
One of my favorites of all time. Unforgiven, Enemy of the State, too many to name. I knew he was well into his 90s, but with all going at once – this is just so, so sad. Between Michelle T. and Gene… and just ya know, this fucking country, 2025 can suck it.
Many of my favorite movies: The French Connection, The Conversation, Bonnie and Clyde, The Royal Tennenbaums, Heist, Enemy of the State, Get Shorty, Hoosiers, – etc
He was so talented and seems like he was a good man. I’m glad he and his wife retired to and were so happy in Santa Fe.
RIP
Mississippi burning was my fave Gene Hackman movie
RIP
Mississippi Burning was sooo good. I also loved Hoosiers, him as Lex Luther in Superman, enemy of the State etc etc. He’s absolutely brilliant. So sad. May he and his wife (and their dog) RIP