Gene Hackman and his wife found dead at their home

Police investigating but 'do not believe foul play was a factor'

by Amber Wilkinson

Gene Hackman as Harry Caul in The Conversation
Gene Hackman as Harry Caul in The Conversation

Oscar-winner Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, police have confirmed.

The star, who retired after 2004 comedy Welcome To Mooseport, was 95. Classical pianist Arakawa, who wed the French Connection star in 1991, was 63.

A statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff in New Mexico said: "We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.

"This is an active investigation, however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor."

Hackman won the best actor Oscar as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in William Friedkin's 1971 thriller The French Connection, and went on to take the best supporting equivalent for playing Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood's Western Unforgiven in 1992.

He was also Oscar-nominated for Bonnie And Clyde, I Never Sang For My Father and Mississippi Burning.

Across a four decade film career, the star was also celebrated for roles including Harry Caul in The Conversation, Lex Luthor in the Superman films and Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenebaums.

Share this with others on...
News

Everything on the line Cara Holmes on the power of community, preserving history and Lesbian Lines

A taste of power Andrew Neel on ordinary life under totalitarianism and How To Feed A Dictator

Rock star spirit Shane Belcourt on Louis Cameron and Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising

Heir presumptive Rob Rice on the power of comedy, political disappointments and Ponderosa

Keeping the rhythm Hugo Ruíz on storytelling techniques, kinky cinema and Dante

From personal to universal Karla Murthy on The Gas Station Attendant and her relationship with her dad

More news and features

We're bringing you news, reviews and more from Docs Ireland.



We're looking forward to the Fantasia International Film Festival.



We've recently brought you coverage of Sheffield DocFest, ImagineNative, Tribeca, Cannes, Queer East, the San Francisco Independent Film Festival, Visions du Réel, Fantaspoa, Overlook, BFI Flare and SXSW, the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival and the NY Rendezvous with French Cinema.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


The Evia Project Event returns for a 5th year with focus on the forest


DocFest Winners announced


Tribeca Awards announced


Karlovy Vary 60th anniversary edition to feature Jesse Eisenberg and Maggie Gyllenhaal as guests


Fantasia Second wave of titles announced