95-year-old US actor, wife, pet dog found dead
Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their Santa Fe home, The Independent reports on Thursday.
The couple’s dog was also found dead at the scene.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that no foul play is suspected.
Gene Hackman, aged 95, was renowned for his versatile acting career, with iconic roles in films such as “The French Connection,” “Unforgiven,” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.”
He had largely retreated from public life following his retirement from acting in 2004. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, was 63 years old. The cause of their deaths has not been disclosed.
The couple, according to The Mirror had been married since 1991, and were found dead on Wednesday afternoon at their home in the Santa Fe Summit community, New Mexico, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has confirmed.
“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” Mendoza said in a statement.
Fans have been paying tribute on social media, with one person posting on X, “RIP to an absolute f—— legend.”
Gene had just celebrated his 95th birthday in January. He had stepped back from the spotlight, having not starred in a film since 2004’s Welcome to Mooseport.
Announcing his retirement in 2008, Gene said, “I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer. I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer.”
In 2011, Gene was asked if he would ever come out of retirement to do one more film.
According to Mirror, last year, Gene and Betsy were seen out in public for the first time in years. The pair were pictured grabbing a bite at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe. They appeared to be in good spirits as they left the restaurant.
Prior to this, the couple hadn’t been seen together in public for 21 years, with the last time being at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards. Gene won the Cecil B. deMille award at the ceremony.
More details to follow
