Renowned Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Authorities confirmed there was no foul play suspected, but the official cause of death has not yet been determined. Their pet dog was also found with them.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, had a legendary career in Hollywood. He starred in hit films like “The French Connection,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Over the years, he earned three Golden Globes and the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2003.
Born Eugene Hackman in 1930, he moved around a lot as a child before settling in Danville, Illinois. One of his strongest childhood memories was watching his father leave the family when he was just 13 years old. That moment shaped him in ways he only realized later.
At 16, he joined the Marine Corps, serving in China, Japan, and Hawaii for over four years. After leaving the military, he studied journalism but soon realized acting was his true passion. He enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse at 27, where he met a young Dustin Hoffman.
His big break came when he landed a role in the 1964 film “Lilith,” acting alongside Warren Beatty. When Beatty later worked on “Bonnie and Clyde” in 1967, he personally picked Hackman for the role, leading to his first Academy Award nomination.
His career skyrocketed after “The French Connection” in 1971, where he played Detective Popeye Doyle. The film became famous for its high-speed car chase scenes, which were filmed illegally across Brooklyn streets.
Hackman went on to star in major films like “Young Frankenstein,” “Superman,” and “Unforgiven”, winning his second Oscar for the last one. Over time, he played a variety of roles, from a basketball coach in “Hoosiers” to an eccentric father in “The Royal Tenenbaums.”
He retired from acting in 2004, saying that stress from filmmaking was taking a toll on his health. After leaving Hollywood, he focused on painting and writing novels, co-authoring books with his longtime friend Daniel Lenihan.
Hackman is survived by his three children from his first marriage.