Legendary Actor Gene Hackman and Wife Found Dead at Their New Mexico Home

February 26, 2025; Santa Fe, New Mexico. One of Hollywood’s most well-known performers, Gene Hackman, was discovered dead at home with his wife Betsy Arakawa. Together with their dog, they were discovered at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, residence on Wednesday afternoon.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the heartbreaking news in an official statement: “At approximately 1:45 p.m. on February 26, 2025, deputies responded to a welfare check at a residence on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park. Upon arrival, officers found Gene Hackman, 95, his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their pet deceased. Though the investigation is still ongoing, no foul play is suspected by the authorities at this time.

Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths are still being investigated, but early results point to a possible drug-related event. Hackman was found in the kitchen, and Arakawa was found in the bathroom. On the sink in the bathroom, an open prescription bottle with pills all over it was found. Even though there were no signs of blunt force injuries, both people seemed to have fallen down quickly.

Hackman was very old and had a known heart problem, so the police are thinking that natural reasons may have played a role. But test reports are still being awaited to see if drugs played a part in their deaths.

A Career Spanning Six Decades

Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, left a legacy that transformed American cinema. Hackman enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades and was lauded for his performances in The French Connection (1971) as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle and Unforgiven (1992) as the sadistic sheriff Little Bill Daggett. He received many awards for his work in movies, including two Oscars, two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globes, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Born in California in 1930, Hackman had a humble start. At just 16, he lied about his age to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving for four and a half years in China, Hawai’i, and Japan before being discharged in 1951. After his military service, he studied journalism and television production at the University of Illinois before setting his sights on acting.

He hadn’t had an easy time journeying to Hollywood. He went to school at the Pasadena Playhouse in California and became good friends with Dustin Hoffman, another actor who was having a hard time. In 1967, his big break came when he played Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde. For that role, he was nominated for his first Academy Award. This part launched his rise to fame, which led to major roles in classic movies like Mississippi Burning (1988), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), The Conversation (1974), and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001).

Hackman was also famous for playing the iconic villain Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequels, solidifying his position as one of Hollywood’s finest and most versatile actors.

Retirement and Life Outside Hollywood

Hackman retired from acting in 2004, following his final film, Welcome to Mooseport, despite having set many records.He made publicly that he wanted a simpler life and be able to enjoy the rest of his years without fame. Saying, “I haven’t had a press conference to declare retirement, but yes, I won’t act again,” he acknowledged to Reuters in 2008, therefore attesting to his retirement. Rather, he concentrated on writing and turned out several historical fantasy novels with novelist Daniel Lenihan’s assistance.

Hackman’s decision to retreat from Hollywood was also driven by his personal distaste for fame. “I was trained to be an actor, not a star. I was trained to play roles, not to deal with fame, agents, and lawyers,” he once said. “It really costs me a lot emotionally to watch myself on screen. I feel young inside, and then I see this old man staring back at me.”

A Private Life with Betsy Arakawa

Hackman married classical pianist Betsy Arakawa in 1991 after meeting her during his time at a health club in Los Angeles. The couple lived a quiet life in Santa Fe, away from the attention of Hollywood. Hackman married Arakawa after being married to Faye Maltese for 30 years. They had three children together.

Hackman lived alone most of his later years, but he did make a few public visits here and there. For example, he went to the 2003 Golden Globe Awards and got the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award for his lifetime achievements in film.

Hollywood Pays Tribute

As word of Hackman’s death spreads, honors from fans, fellow actors, and directors have started to come in. A lot of people have said nice things about his work and how it has affected the movie business