Santa Fe, NM – Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home, authorities confirmed. The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office stated that there were no signs of foul play, though the exact cause of death has yet to be determined.
Hackman, 94, was widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s greatest actors. He was known for his roles in The French Connection (1971), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, and Unforgiven (1992), which earned him another Oscar. He retired from acting in the early 2000s, stepping away from the public eye to focus on writing and his personal life in New Mexico.
Local reports indicate that the couple’s dog was also found dead at the scene. Authorities have not released further details pending an autopsy and toxicology report.
Hackman and Arakawa, a 63-year-old former classical pianist, had been married since 1991. The couple maintained a quiet life away from Hollywood, choosing the peaceful surroundings of Santa Fe as their home in their later years.
Tributes have begun pouring in from Hollywood and the entertainment industry, with actors and filmmakers praising Hackman’s extraordinary career and legacy. Fans worldwide are mourning the loss of the legendary actor, who left an indelible mark on cinema history.
More details are expected to emerge as the investigation continues.