Update: April 11, 2024
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, 2025, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. He was 95.
Area authorities responded to a welfare check at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, where they discovered Hackman, Arakawa, 64, and their dog deceased in separate rooms of the home. Hackman was found in a mudroom, while Arakawa was in a bathroom next to a space heater. Pills were found scattered on a nearby countertop next to an open prescription bottle. A deceased German shepherd was also found in a dog crate, though two other dogs on the property were unharmed.
There were no signs of foul play or visible injuries. The New Mexico Gas Co. assisted investigators in checking the property for gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning, but no issues were initially detected.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has ruled out significant foul play but continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Preliminary autopsy reports found no external trauma, and while toxicology results are pending, initial findings suggest natural causes.
Read on for causes of death, funeral arrangements and more about Hackman’s legacy…
Causes of Death:
Here is what authorities believe are the causes of death for the couple.
- Betsy Arakawa: Autopsy reports indicate that Hackman’s wife died of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and often fatal respiratory disease transmitted through contact with infected rodent excrement. She is believed to have passed away on February 11, 2025.
- Gene Hackman: Hackman succumbed to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor. Evidence suggests he may have been unaware of his wife’s death due to his cognitive condition and remained in the home with her body for approximately a week before his own passing around February 18, 2025.
Authorities are examined environmental factors, including a minor gas leak detected in the home, though it was deemed unlikely to have contributed to their deaths.
Early Life and Career
Eugene Allen Hackman was born on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California. At 16, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a radio operator. After his military service, he studied journalism before transitioning to acting, training at the Pasadena Playhouse. He later moved to New York City, where he trained at the Actors Studio alongside Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall.
Breakthrough in Film
Hackman’s film career took off with Bonnie and Clyde (1967), earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He won his first Oscar for Best Actor in The French Connection (1971) for his role as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. His versatility was evident in films like The Conversation (1974), Superman (1978), Hoosiers (1986), and Mississippi Burning (1988).
See more about Hackman’s career at IMDB.
Later Career and Retirement
Hackman won his second Academy Award in 1992 for Best Supporting Actor in Unforgiven. He continued to star in acclaimed films such as The Firm (1993), Crimson Tide (1995), The Birdcage (1996), and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). His final film role was in Welcome to Mooseport (2004). Following his retirement, Hackman turned to writing, co-authoring historical fiction novels before publishing Pursuit (2013), his final book.
Personal Life and Marriages
Hackman was married twice. His first marriage to Faye Maltese lasted from 1956 to 1986. The couple had three children—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. The demands of his acting career often kept him away from home, leading to several trial separations before their eventual divorce.
In 1991, Hackman married Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist and former fitness trainer. The couple met in the mid-1980s at a California gym. They moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they lived a private life, away from Hollywood. Though they had no children together, they were known for their love of German shepherds.
Health and Retirement
Hackman faced health concerns in the early 2000s. That included severe angina, which led to a medical procedure. A stress test in 2004 revealed heart issues. This prompted Hackman him to retire from acting. He later said, “The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York.”
In recent years, Hackman lived a fairly reclusive lifestyle. That said he did make occasional public appearances, he largely stayed out of the spotlight, enjoying a quiet life with his wife in Santa Fe.
Legacy
Over a four-decade career, Hackman earned five Academy Award nominations, winning two. His ability to portray complex, believable characters made him one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. His influence on cinema remains profound, and his performances continue to be studied and admired.
At the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, Morgan Freeman paid tribute to his friend and longtime collaborator, Gene Hackman, saying, “Gene always used to say, ‘I don’t think about my legacy; I just hope to be remembered as someone who wanted to do a good job.’ Well, I think I speak for everyone when I say: Gene, we will remember you for that—and so much more. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Funeral Arrangements
Gene Hackman was buried at Santa Fe Memorial Gardens in Santa Fe, New Mexico. As of late March 2025, Betsy Arakawa’s burial or cremation arrangements had not been finalized, and her body remained unclaimed. Legal complexities arose due to the unexpected nature of their deaths and the absence of immediate next of kin to make decisions regarding her remains
Gene Hackman: Frequently Asked Questions about his Death Funeral and Legacy
Gene Hackman died around February 18, 2025. His body, along with those of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs, was discovered on February 26 in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home.
Hackman died from severe heart disease, with complications from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and kidney disease. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-borne illness, approximately a week earlier.
Authorities found the couple’s bodies after neighbours reported a lack of communication. Investigations revealed that Hackman may not have comprehended his wife’s death due to his Alzheimer’s condition. Additionally, one of their dogs was found dead, while two others survived.
Gene Hackman was buried. He was laid to rest at Santa Fe Memorial Gardens in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Hackman’s will, drafted in 1995, named Arakawa as the sole inheritor. Her will stipulated that if both died within 90 days of each other, the estate would be donated to charity. Notably, Hackman’s children were not mentioned in his will.
Hackman is celebrated for his verstile performances in films like The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums. His portrayal of complex characters left a lasting impact on cinema.
Several industry figures paid homage to Hackman. Actor/director lint Eastwood described him as “intense and instinctive,” while Francis Ford Coppola lauded his “inspiring and magnificent” work. Morgan Freeman honoured him during the 2025 Oscars, emphasizing Hackman’s generosity as a performer.
Hackman’s dedication to authentic storytelling and his ability to take on diverse and eclectic roles have inspired generations of actors and filmmakers. His contributions continue to be studied and admired in the cinematic community and by fans of his considerable body of work.