Gene Hackman, the two-time Oscar-winning actor known for his intense performances and legendary film career, was found dead alongside his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, and their dog at their New Mexico home on Wednesday, February 26.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the 95-year-old actor and his 64-year-old wife were found in separate rooms of their residence at approximately 1:45 p.m. While authorities have stated that foul play is not currently suspected, they also described the case as “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”
A maintenance worker discovered the bodies after noticing the front door ajar, though no signs of forced entry were found, according to a search warrant affidavit. Sheriff’s deputies did not observe any obvious gas or carbon monoxide leaks, though further tests are ongoing.
Hackman was found in the kitchen, while Arakawa and the dog were discovered in a bathroom, where authorities noted scattered pills from an open prescription bottle on the counter. Both individuals appeared to have collapsed suddenly, though no signs of blunt force trauma were reported.
Hackman, a former Marine, starred in over 80 films across a six-decade career, earning two Academy Awards—Best Actor for The French Connection (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992). He was also widely recognized for his roles in Mississippi Burning, The Conversation, Hoosiers, and as the iconic villain Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequels.
In 2004, Hackman retired from acting, citing the stress of the industry, and lived a quiet life in Santa Fe with his wife, whom he married in 1991.
The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office is expected to release more details as the investigation continues. Authorities have yet to determine a cause of death and are awaiting further forensic analysis.
Hackman’s passing marks the loss of one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a mystery that investigators are still working to unravel.