• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Hollywood actor Gene Hackman has died aged 95, along with wife Betsy Arakawa aged 63

Home> Celebrity

Updated 20:07 7 Mar 2025 GMTPublished 08:23 27 Feb 2025 GMT

Hollywood actor Gene Hackman has died aged 95, along with wife Betsy Arakawa aged 63

Santa Fe police say no foul play is suspected

Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard Kaonga

Police have confirmed that Hollywood veteran actor Gene Hackman has been found dead in his Santa Fe home.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist, were both found dead at their home. However he did not give information regarding the cause of death.

He said that, at this point, foul play is not suspected and that the dog was found deceased alongside the pair.

Mendoza also did not comment on when the couple might have died when he was asked by reporters.

Advert

In a statement he said: "All I can say is that we're in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant."

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa in 1994 (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa in 1994 (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Hackman was known as a legend in Hollywood, most fondly remembered for his role as Lex Luthor in the Superman movie as well as Little Bill Daggett in the Unforgiven and Jimmy Doyle in the French Connection.

The actor was known as being a private individual as well and announced in 2004 that he was retiring from acting. He then proceeded to leave Los Angeles and moved to New Mexico.

Advert

At the time he told the press: "I haven't held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I'm not going to act any longer. I really don't want to do it any longer."

Hackman concluded his acting career with over 100 acting roles, however rumors circulated that this decision to retire was tied to stress.

Hackman and Betsy started dating in the mid 80s and got married in 1991, but clarified that he did not abandon his first wife Faye Maltese for her.

He said: "By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman. We just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love."

Advert

Police have said no foul play is suspected at this point (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Police have said no foul play is suspected at this point (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

While details are scarce about Hackman and Betsy Arakawa fans have begun tributing the actor and his wife on social media.

One user on Twitter wrote: “RIP Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa found dead, marking the end of an era in cinema.”

Another said: “Honoring the memory of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa. Their impact on cinema and music will not be forgotten.”

Advert

A third added: “That is awful news. Truly one of the best actors Hollywood ever gave us.”

With another commenting: "What a legend left behind a legacy of one of the best movies of our times."

Featured Image Credit: Evan Agostini/Getty Images

Topics: Celebrity, Hollywood, News, US News, Gene Hackman

Gerrard Kaonga
Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard is a Journalist at UNILAD and has dived headfirst into covering everything from breaking global stories to trending entertainment news. He has a bachelors in English Literature from Brunel University and has written across a number of different national and international publications. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

28 mins ago
13 hours ago
15 hours ago
16 hours ago
  • 28 mins ago

    Every celebrity reaction after Diddy's found guilty on 2 out of 5 charges in sex trafficking and prostitution case

    Celebrities have taken to social media to voice their opinions on the verdict

    Celebrity
  • 13 hours ago

    Stephen King explained why his wife threatened to divorce him over bizarre Mambo No. 5 habit

    King really got under his wife Tabitha's skin

    Celebrity
  • 15 hours ago

    Difference between Diddy charges of transportation for prostitution and sex trafficking as guilty verdict is split

    The jury returned a unanimous verdict on Wednesday (July 2)

    Celebrity
  • 16 hours ago

    How much prison time Diddy is facing after being found guilty on 2 out of 5 counts in sex trafficking and prostitution case

    The verdict in Sean Combs' case comes after weeks of testimony from witnesses

    Celebrity