Hollywood Legend Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa Found Dead in Santa Fe Home

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead on Wednesday afternoon at their residence in the Santa Fe Summit community.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed their passing, stating, “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday.”

Authorities are currently conducting an active investigation, but Mendoza noted that there were no immediate indications of foul play. The exact cause and time of their deaths remain undetermined.

Hackman, aged 95, had lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s and married Arakawa, 65, in 1991 after meeting her at a gym where she worked.

While Arakawa’s later musical career remains largely private, Hackman credited her for her insightful feedback on his western novels.

Law enforcement arrived at their gated community residence, responding to a neighbor’s request for a welfare check around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday. Local reports indicated the discovery of two elderly individuals and a deceased dog within the home.

Preliminary Investigation and Official Statements

Authorities initially identified the deceased as a man in his 90s and a woman in her 60s. The identification of Hackman and Arakawa was confirmed later at 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

While one of their dogs was found deceased, two others survived. Sheriff Mendoza assured the public, stating, “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”

The sheriff’s office reiterated that foul play was not suspected but emphasized that the exact cause of death remained unknown pending further investigation.

Tributes from the Film Industry

Renowned director Francis Ford Coppola was among the first to pay tribute to Hackman, sharing a photograph from the set of The Conversation (1974) and writing, “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman, a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.”

Edgar Wright called Hackman “the greatest,” while George Takei described him as “one of the true giants of the screen,” stating, “Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”

Gene Hackman’s Illustrious Career

Spanning over 40 years, Hackman’s film career included acclaimed roles in The French Connection, Superman, and The Royal Tenenbaums. He achieved success later in life, breaking through in his 30s and embodying the antihero archetype of 1970s Hollywood.

Born in 1930, Hackman served in the Marines before pursuing acting in the late 1950s.

He trained at the Pasadena Playhouse alongside Dustin Hoffman, where both were deemed “least likely to succeed.” Despite early struggles, Hackman made his big-screen debut in Lilith (1964) and gained recognition with Bonnie and Clyde (1967), earning his first Oscar nomination.

In 1971, Hackman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for The French Connection.

Reflecting on his career, he said in 2021, “Filmmaking has always been risky—both physically and emotionally—but I choose to consider that film a moment in a checkered career of hits and misses.”

Later Career and Retirement

During the 1970s and 80s, Hackman showcased his versatility with roles in The Poseidon Adventure, A Bridge Too Far, and Superman, where he played Lex Luthor.

He received another Oscar nomination for Mississippi Burning (1988) and won a second Oscar for Unforgiven (1992).

His later works included The Firm, Crimson Tide, The Birdcage, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Runaway Jury. His final film was Welcome to Mooseport (2004).

He officially retired in 2008, revealing that health concerns prompted his decision: “The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”

Hackman also pursued writing, co-authoring historical fiction novels, including Wake of the Perdido Star. His last book, Pursuit, a crime thriller, was published in 2011.

Final Years and Reflection on Life

In a 2009 interview with Empire magazine, Hackman shared his thoughts on aging: “I try to take care of myself. I don’t have a lot of fears. I have the normal fear of passing away. 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.”

Hackman and Arakawa were last seen publicly during a lunch outing in Santa Fe last year, appearing in good health and spirits. In a 2011 interview, when asked how he would sum up his life, he simply responded, “He tried.”