Two-time Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman was found dead with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in their home in New Mexico Wednesday afternoon.
The actor was 95.
The cause of their deaths has not been determined and foul play is not suspected, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Womack-Avila told CNN.
A welfare check was carried out at about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday. That is when Hackman, Arakawa and a dog were found deceased, Womack-Avila said.
An investigation is underway.
Hackman is known for his roles in “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers,” “Unforgiven,” and “The Firm.”
Hackman won two Oscars in his storied career.
The first one came in 1971 for “The French Connection.” His second Oscar came in 1992 for “Unforgiven.”
Actor George Takei mourned Hackman’s loss with a post on X.
“We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe,” he wrote. “That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”
Hackman retired from acting at 74. He lived in Santa Fe with Arakawa, a former classical pianist.
Hackman had three children with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese. She died in 2017.
