The entertainment world is in mourning following the devastating news that Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor whose career spanned four decades, and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their home.
Gene Hackman, aged 95, and Betsy Arakawa, aged 63, were discovered on Wednesday afternoon in their residence located in the Santa Fe Summit community in New Mexico state, USA.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff, Adan Mendoza, confirmed the couple’s passing. He indicated that while foul play is not suspected, the exact cause of death had not been determined at the time.
Meanwhile, the Press Association has reported that there is an ‘active investigation’ into the deaths.
The authorities arrived at the couple’s home in the gated community of Old Sunset Trail on Wednesday afternoon to investigate what the Santa Fe New Mexican described as ‘the deaths of two elderly people and a dog.’ The discovery of the bodies was made after deputies responded to a neighbour’s request for a welfare check around 1:45pm.
Initially, Sheriff Mendoza reported that deputies discovered the bodies of a man in his 90s and a woman in her 60s. The police were unable to confirm their identities until 12:30am on Thursday. It was also revealed that while one of the couple’s dogs had died, two others survived.
The authorities did not suspect foul play at first. However, the discovery of an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on a countertop near Arakawa has led to a shift in the investigation. The search warrant, as reported by AFP, indicated that the circumstances were ‘suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.’
The scene at the couple’s home was one of confusion and concern. Hackman was found in a mudroom, while Arakawa was located in a bathroom adjacent to a space heater. The details surrounding their deaths remain shrouded in mystery.
Gene Hackman’s illustrious career is one that many actors can only dream of. Born in 1930, Hackman served in the Marines in the late 1940s before deciding to study acting in the late 1950s. He befriended Dustin Hoffman at the Pasadena Playhouse, where they were both voted ‘the least likely to succeed.’ Despite this early prediction, Hackman went on to make a significant impact on the silver screen, debuting in the 1964 melodrama Lilith opposite Warren Beatty.
Hackman’s breakthrough came with his role as Buck Barrow in Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde, which earned him his first Oscar nomination. His portrayal of Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection won him an Oscar for Best Actor, cementing his status as a Hollywood A-lister.
Hackman’s versatility shone through in a variety of roles, from the comedic genius in Young Frankenstein to the villainous Lex Luthor in Superman.
After a career that included memorable performances in The Poseidon Adventure, A Bridge Too Far, Hoosiers, and The Royal Tenenbaums, Hackman retired from acting in 2004. His decision to retire was influenced by a stress test that revealed his heart wasn’t in the best condition for the demands of acting.
Beyond his acting career, Hackman was also an accomplished author, co-writing several historical fiction novels. His passion for storytelling extended to his later years, with his most recent crime thriller, Pursuit, published in 2011.
With the news of Gene and Betsy’s passing, tributes have poured in from their colleagues and admirers alike. Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in The Conversation, expressed his sorrow on social media, calling Hackman ‘a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.’
‘I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution,’ he wrote.
Edgar Wright and George Takei also paid homage to Hackman’s talent and legacy. Edgar remembered the actor as ‘the greatest,’ while George called him ‘a towering presence’ and a ‘powerful actor.’
Hackman’s approach to life was one of dedication and humility. In a 2009 interview with Empire magazine, he shared his philosophy, saying, I try to take care of myself. I don’t have a lot of fears.’
‘I have the normal fear of passing away. You know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age. I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of fears.’
When reflecting on how he would like to be remembered, he simply stated, ‘He tried.’ This sentiment captures the essence of a man who gave his all to his craft and his loved ones.
A very sad day for the cinema’s family. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away.
My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers.
RIP 🎬🖤 pic.twitter.com/PmuiLU4Jyb— Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) February 27, 2025
As the investigation into their deaths continues, the world pauses to honour their lives and the indelible mark they have left on the arts.
At YourLifeChoices, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.
We invite you to share your memories and favourite moments from Hackman and Arakawa’s storied careers in film and music in the comments below.
Also read: Farewell to Miss Yvonne: TV legend Lynne Marie Stewart dies at 78
My initial reaction was a suicide pact, but 2 factors seem to deny this:
– the much younger age of his wife
– the death of only one of the dogs makes little sense