Gene Hackman, the legendary Hollywood actor and two-time Academy Award winner, has been found dead at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, alongside his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, and their dog. He was 95 years old.
Authorities from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the tragic news on Thursday, stating that no foul play is suspected. The cause of death has not yet been announced.
Hackman, whose career spanned more than five decades, was widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. His powerful performances in films such as The French Connection, Bonnie and Clyde, Hoosiers, and The Royal Tenenbaums earned him widespread acclaim. He won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, and received the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2003.
Born Eugene Hackman on January 30, 1930, in California, Hackman’s early years were marked by frequent moves before his family settled in Danville, Illinois. His childhood was shaped by the departure of his father, an experience that deeply influenced his later work as an actor.
At 16, Hackman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving for more than four years in China, Japan, and Hawaii. After his service, he briefly studied journalism and television production at the University of Illinois but ultimately decided to pursue acting.
His journey to Hollywood stardom began at the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where he met a young Dustin Hoffman. The two, along with fellow actor Robert Duvall, forged a lifelong friendship as they worked to establish their careers in New York City.
Hackman’s versatility on screen made him a household name. He captivated audiences in gripping dramas and thrilling action films, playing iconic roles such as Detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection (1971), the resilient coach in Hoosiers (1986), and the scheming attorney in The Firm (1993).
Despite his fame, Hackman largely stepped away from the spotlight in the early 2000s, retiring from acting after Welcome to Mooseport (2004). He spent his later years in New Mexico, enjoying a quieter life with Arakawa, his wife of 34 years.
Hackman is survived by his three children, Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne, from his first marriage to Faye Maltese, who passed away in 2017.
The passing of Gene Hackman marks the end of an era in Hollywood. His legacy as a transformative and deeply talented performer will live on, leaving an indelible mark on American cinema.