Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday afternoon.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the couple and their dog were discovered with no signs of foul play. He did not share the cause of death or how long they may have been deceased.
Hackman and Arakawa had been married since 1991. The actor turned 95 in January, but recent public sightings had some fans concerned about his health.
Hackman had an incredible career in Hollywood, working for over 40 years and building a long list of accomplishments.
He quietly retired from acting in the late 2000s, after hinting in a 2004 interview with Larry King that he had no future projects planned.
Over his career, Hackman appeared in more than 70 films. He won two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for The French Connection and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven.
In 2009, he revealed that his retirement was due to health concerns.
“The final reason was a stress test I took in New York,” he told Empire. “The doctor warned me that my heart wasn’t in the best shape, and I needed to avoid stress.”
After leaving Hollywood, Hackman focused on hobbies that were less demanding, including painting, fishing, and writing.
He found writing especially enjoyable. “It’s very relaxing for me,” he said. “I don’t think of myself as a great writer, but I like the process.”
He explained that writing was more manageable than acting. “You’re sitting alone, rather than having 90 people waiting for you to perform.”
Hackman is survived by his three children, Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne, from his first marriage to Faye Maltese.