Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26, authorities have confirmed. The couple, who had been married for 34 years, lived a quiet life away from Hollywood after Hackman’s retirement.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that police are conducting a preliminary death investigation and awaiting approval for a search warrant. While no foul play is suspected, the cause and time of death have not been determined.
Hackman, 95, was last seen in public in March 2024, dining with Arakawa in Santa Fe. The French Connection and Unforgiven star had previously undergone heart surgery and had spoken about health concerns influencing his decision to step away from acting.
Hackman, who was married once before and had three children, had candidly discussed the challenges of balancing his Hollywood career with family life. His passing marks the end of an era for one of cinema’s most celebrated actors.
