Oscar-Winner Gene Hackman and Wife Found Dead in Home

According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, Gene Hackman, 95, was found in the mudroom of their home, while his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, was discovered in a bathroom near a space heater, with prescription pills scattered on a countertop nearby. Investigators noted there were no visible signs of foul play, and the New Mexico Gas Co. is assisting in the investigation to determine if a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning could have played a role. However, initial tests reportedly showed no signs of a gas-related issue.

The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, which oversees the state’s medical examiner operations, has declined to comment on any preliminary findings.

Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, was widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. He delivered unforgettable performances in classics like The French Connection (1971), Unforgiven (1992), The Conversation (1974), and Hoosiers (1986). Known for his gruff demeanor and powerful screen presence, he portrayed a range of characters, from villains like Lex Luthor in Superman to inspiring heroes and deeply complex antiheroes.

Despite his Hollywood stature, Gene Hackman led a private life in his later years. He and Arakawa, a classically trained pianist, met in the mid-1980s while she was working at a California gym. They later settled in Santa Fe, where they lived a quiet life away from the entertainment industry. Though he officially retired from acting in the early 2000s, Gene Hackman occasionally made public appearances and was known to be an avid reader and film enthusiast.

Their Santa Fe home, a modest 2,300-square-foot Southwestern-style ranch, sat within a gated community with sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains. The couple, known for their love of German shepherds, lived a peaceful life in New Mexico, far removed from Hollywood’s spotlight.

Gene Hackman’s passing comes just days before the Academy Awards, an event that honored him twice during his storied career. Tributes from fellow actors, directors, and fans have already begun pouring in. Director Francis Ford Coppola reflected on Gene Hackman’s legacy, calling him “a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.”

Gene Hackman leaves behind three children from a previous marriage. He and Arakawa had no children together but shared a deep bond, evident in the quiet life they built in Santa Fe.

As the investigation into their deaths continues, Hollywood mourns the loss of one of its most revered actors—a star who shined on screen but found solace in a life away from the cameras.