Gene Hackman, his wife and the common dog were found lifeless in their home.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their property in Santa Fe Summit on Wednesday afternoon (February 26th). The actor was 95 years old, his partner died at the age of 63.
Santa Fe County’s sheriff confirmed the couple’s death today (February 27th). The dog was also found dead in the home. According to the authorities, there are no evidence of external influences.
The couple had withdrawn to a ranch in the US state of New Mexico in recent years, they could hardly be seen at public events. Gene Hackman’s partner was a classic pianist, Hackman is said to have devoted herself to painting and writing.
Gene Hackman’s life and career
Gene Hackman was born on January 30, 1930 in San Bernardino California. After his parents divorced, he grew up in Danville, Illinois. At the age of 16, after lying over his age, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served as a radio operator in China, Japan and Hawaii. After his military period, he studied journalism at the University of Illinois, but later opted for acting and visited the Pasadena Playhouse School of Theater in California.
Hackman gave his film debut in 1961 in “Mad Dog Coll” (in German: “The rabies”). He made his breakthrough in 1967 with “Bonnie and Clyde”, for which he received an Oscar nomination as the best supporting actor. In 1971 he won the Oscar as the best leading actor for his role as a detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in “French Connection – Brooklyn”. Another highlight of his career was the Oscar as the best supporting actor for “merciless” in 1992.
Hackman was married twice. Three children come from his first marriage to Faye Maltese (1956-1986). In 1991 he married Betsy Arakawa. The couple lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico since the 1980s. In 2004 Hackman withdrew from acting and devoted himself to writing. He published several novels, including “Wake of the Perdido Star” (1999) and “Escape from Andersonville” (2008).