Shocking news this morning as Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, alongside their pet dog.
County Sheriff Adan Mendoza says there are no immediate concerns about foul play, though he did not provide a cause of death.
A statement from the sheriff, as reported by the BBC, reads:
‘We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.
‘This is an active investigation – however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.’
‘All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant.’
‘No foul play’ is a surprise considering there are two people and a dog dead. It certainly wasn’t natural causes, so the only other thing it could really be is carbon monoxide poisoning? It’s probably not right to speculate any further but I’m sure we’ll have more information soon.
Gene Hackman was a true legend of the game with countless awards under his belt: two Oscars, two BAFTAs, four Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and the Silver Bear throughout his six-decade career. Six decades! Unbelievable.
He won his first Oscar playing Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection (1971) and the other for Best Supporting Actor for his role as ‘Little’ Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992).
His other Oscar-nominated roles were in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).
He played over 100 roles throughout his career, including Lex Luthor in Superman movies in the 1970s and 1980s. His final film appearance was in Welcome to Mooseport in 2004. He decided to quit acting later that year due to ‘heart troubles.’
RIP Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog, and thoughts with their friends and families. Never forget:
