31 March, 2025 Siobhan Marie Day 0 Comments 3 categories

In Memoriam: Gene Hackman

January 30, 1930 – February 18, 2025

LOS ANGELES, CA - 1996: Actor Gene Hackman poses for a portrait circa 1996 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images

An Unforgiven Santa Fe Connection…

In the early morning hours of February 26, 2025, while most of America was asleep, the bodies of actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their three dogs were discovered. The couple had not responded to maintenance workers’ attempts to contact them, prompting security personnel to investigate. Through a window, security staff spotted the bodies and alerted authorities. Although no immediate signs of foul play were found, the circumstances were deemed suspicious enough to warrant an investigation. Carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out on February 28, and the official causes of death were announced at a press conference on March 7.

In the early morning hours of February 26, 2025, while most of America was asleep, the bodies of actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their three dogs were discovered. The couple had not responded to maintenance workers’ attempts to contact them, prompting security personnel to investigate. Through a window, security staff spotted the bodies and alerted authorities. Although no immediate signs of foul play were found, the circumstances were deemed suspicious enough to warrant an investigation. Carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out on February 28, and the official causes of death were announced at a press conference on March 7.
In the early morning hours of February 26, 2025, while most of America was asleep, the bodies of actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their three dogs were discovered. The couple had not responded to maintenance workers’ attempts to contact them, prompting security personnel to investigate. Through a window, security staff spotted the bodies and alerted authorities. Although no immediate signs of foul play were found, the circumstances were deemed suspicious enough to warrant an investigation. Carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out on February 28, and the official causes of death were announced at a press conference on March 7.
In the early morning hours of February 26, 2025, while most of America was asleep, the bodies of actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their three dogs were discovered. The couple had not responded to maintenance workers’ attempts to contact them, prompting security personnel to investigate. Through a window, security staff spotted the bodies and alerted authorities. Although no immediate signs of foul play were found, the circumstances were deemed suspicious enough to warrant an investigation. Carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out on February 28, and the official causes of death were announced at a press conference on March 7.

In the months leading up to his death, Hackman’s neighbors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, observed a decline in his health. The couple had also withdrawn from contact with family and friends. Arakawa was last seen alive at a CVS Pharmacy on February 11, returning to their gated community at 5:15 p.m. The next day, she scheduled a visit with a private physician but never arrived. Authorities later determined that she died at home shortly after from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hackman, suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s, did not seek help, likely unable to comprehend her passing. He died around February 18, as indicated by an abnormal rhythm recorded by his pacemaker. His death was attributed to severe heart disease, complicated by Alzheimer’s and kidney disease.

The last public outing for Gene Hackman & Betsy Arakawa before thier deaths. Photo Credit: TMZ
In the early morning hours of February 26, 2025, while most of America was asleep, the bodies of actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their three dogs were discovered. The couple had not responded to maintenance workers’ attempts to contact them, prompting security personnel to investigate. Through a window, security staff spotted the bodies and alerted authorities. Although no immediate signs of foul play were found, the circumstances were deemed suspicious enough to warrant an investigation. Carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out on February 28, and the official causes of death were announced at a press conference on March 7.
LOS ANGELES - 1986: Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa pose for a portrait in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), also called hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), is a severe respiratory disease caused by hantaviruses. The main features of illness are microvascular leakage and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Symptoms occur anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure to the virus and come in three distinct phases. First, there is an early phase with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headache, and shortness of breath, as well as low platelet count. Second, there is cardiopulmonary phase during which people experience elevated or irregular heart rate, cardiogenic shock, and pulmonary capillary leakage, which can lead to respiratory failure, low blood pressure, and buildup of fluid in the lungs and chest cavity. The final phase is recovery, which typically takes months, but difficulties with breathing can persist for up to two years. The disease has a case fatality rate of 30 to 60 percent. Death usually occurs suddenly during the cardiopulmonary phase. HPS is caused mainly by infection with New World hantaviruses in the Americas. In North America, Sin Nombre virus is the most common cause of HPS and is transmitted by the Eastern deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). In South America, Andes virus is the most common cause of HPS and is transmitted mainly by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus). In their rodent hosts, these hantaviruses cause a persistent, asymptomatic infection. Transmission occurs mainly through inhalation of aerosols that contain rodent saliva, urine, or feces, but can also occur through contaminated food, bites, and scratches. Vascular endothelial cells and macrophages are the primary cells infected by hantaviruses, and infection causes abnormalities with blood clotting, all of which results in fluid leakage responsible for the more severe symptoms. Recovery from infection likely confers life-long protection. The main way to prevent infection is to avoid or minimize contact with rodents that carry hantaviruses. Removing sources of food for rodents, safely cleaning up after them, and preventing them from entering one's house are all important means of protection. People who are at a risk of interacting with infected rodents can wear masks to protect themselves. No vaccines exist that protect against HPS. Initial diagnosis of infection can be made based on epidemiological information and symptoms. Confirmation of infection can be done by testing for hantavirus nucleic acid, proteins, or hantavirus-specific antibodies. Supportive treatment is always performed for HPS and entails continual cardiac monitoring and respiratory support, including mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and hemofiltration. No specific antiviral drugs exist for hantavirus infection. In North America, dozens of HPS cases occur each year, while in South America more than 100 cases occur every year. Isolated cases and small outbreaks have occurred in Europe and Turkey. The distribution of viruses that cause HPS is directly tied to the distribution of their natural reservoir. Transmission is also greatly influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity, which affect the rodent population and virus transmissibility. The discovery of HPS came in 1993 during an outbreak in the Four Corners region of the United States, which was indirectly caused by the El Niño climate pattern. Sin Nombre virus was found to be responsible for the outbreak, and since then numerous other hantaviruses that cause HPS have been identified throughout the Americas.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), also called hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), is a severe respiratory disease caused by hantaviruses. The main features of illness are microvascular leakage and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Symptoms occur anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure to the virus and come in three distinct phases. First, there is an early phase with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headache, and shortness of breath, as well as low platelet count. Second, there is cardiopulmonary phase during which people experience elevated or irregular heart rate, cardiogenic shock, and pulmonary capillary leakage, which can lead to respiratory failure, low blood pressure, and buildup of fluid in the lungs and chest cavity. The final phase is recovery, which typically takes months, but difficulties with breathing can persist for up to two years. The disease has a case fatality rate of 30 to 60 percent. Death usually occurs suddenly during the cardiopulmonary phase. HPS is caused mainly by infection with New World hantaviruses in the Americas. In North America, Sin Nombre virus is the most common cause of HPS and is transmitted by the Eastern deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). In South America, Andes virus is the most common cause of HPS and is transmitted mainly by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus). In their rodent hosts, these hantaviruses cause a persistent, asymptomatic infection. Transmission occurs mainly through inhalation of aerosols that contain rodent saliva, urine, or feces, but can also occur through contaminated food, bites, and scratches. Vascular endothelial cells and macrophages are the primary cells infected by hantaviruses, and infection causes abnormalities with blood clotting, all of which results in fluid leakage responsible for the more severe symptoms. Recovery from infection likely confers life-long protection. The main way to prevent infection is to avoid or minimize contact with rodents that carry hantaviruses. Removing sources of food for rodents, safely cleaning up after them, and preventing them from entering one's house are all important means of protection. People who are at a risk of interacting with infected rodents can wear masks to protect themselves. No vaccines exist that protect against HPS. Initial diagnosis of infection can be made based on epidemiological information and symptoms. Confirmation of infection can be done by testing for hantavirus nucleic acid, proteins, or hantavirus-specific antibodies. Supportive treatment is always performed for HPS and entails continual cardiac monitoring and respiratory support, including mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and hemofiltration. No specific antiviral drugs exist for hantavirus infection. In North America, dozens of HPS cases occur each year, while in South America more than 100 cases occur every year. Isolated cases and small outbreaks have occurred in Europe and Turkey. The distribution of viruses that cause HPS is directly tied to the distribution of their natural reservoir. Transmission is also greatly influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity, which affect the rodent population and virus transmissibility. The discovery of HPS came in 1993 during an outbreak in the Four Corners region of the United States, which was indirectly caused by the El Niño climate pattern. Sin Nombre virus was found to be responsible for the outbreak, and since then numerous other hantaviruses that cause HPS have been identified throughout the Americas.
Portrait of Gene Hackman Photo by Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images

Two of the couple’s dogs were found alive in the home. Hackman’s estate has since petitioned the courts to block the release of investigative images and police body camera footage. His will, written in 1995, named Arakawa as his sole heir. However, Arakawa’s own will stipulated that if both passed within 90 days of each other, their estate would be donated to charity.

Two of the couple’s dogs were found alive in the home. Hackman’s estate has since petitioned the courts to block the release of investigative images and police body camera footage. His will, written in 1995, named Arakawa as his sole heir. However, Arakawa’s own will stipulated that if both passed within 90 days of each other, their estate would be donated to charity.
Two of the couple’s dogs were found alive in the home. Hackman’s estate has since petitioned the courts to block the release of investigative images and police body camera footage. His will, written in 1995, named Arakawa as his sole heir. However, Arakawa’s own will stipulated that if both passed within 90 days of each other, their estate would be donated to charity.

Early Life and Military Service

Eugene Allen Hackman was born on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, to Eugene Ezra Hackman and Anna Lyda Elizabeth (née Gray). Raised during the Great Depression, Hackman’s early years were marked by economic hardship and familial instability, leading to his parents’ divorce when he was a teenager. Seeking structure and adventure, Hackman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 16, having lied about his age to meet the enlistment requirements. During his service from 1946 to 1949, he worked as a radio operator, an experience that instilled in him a sense of discipline and introduced him to the world beyond his immediate circumstances.

Gene Hackman as a child in the 1930s. Eugene Allen Hackman was born on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, to Eugene Ezra Hackman and Anna Lyda Elizabeth (née Gray). Raised during the Great Depression, Hackman’s early years were marked by economic hardship and familial instability, leading to his parents’ divorce when he was a teenager. Seeking structure and adventure, Hackman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 16, having lied about his age to meet the enlistment requirements. During his service from 1946 to 1949, he worked as a radio operator, an experience that instilled in him a sense of discipline and introduced him to the world beyond his immediate circumstances.
Gene Hackman during Runaway Jury Press Conference with Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, John Cusack and Rachel Weisz at Wyndham Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Photo by Vera Anderson/WireImage
An 8 year-old Gene Hackman with his parents and family in Danville, taken April 20, 1938. Courtesy of the Danville Public Library
Gene Hackman as a teenager Eugene Allen Hackman was born on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, to Eugene Ezra Hackman and Anna Lyda Elizabeth (née Gray). Raised during the Great Depression, Hackman’s early years were marked by economic hardship and familial instability, leading to his parents’ divorce when he was a teenager. Seeking structure and adventure, Hackman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 16, having lied about his age to meet the enlistment requirements. During his service from 1946 to 1949, he worked as a radio operator, an experience that instilled in him a sense of discipline and introduced him to the world beyond his immediate circumstances.
Hackman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 16, having lied about his age to meet the enlistment requirements. During his service from 1946 to 1949, he worked as a radio operator, an experience that instilled in him a sense of discipline and introduced him to the world beyond his immediate circumstances.

Transition to Acting

After completing his military service, Hackman pursued journalism and television production studies at the University of Illinois under the G.I. Bill. However, his passion for storytelling led him to the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where he studied acting. It was here that he formed a lifelong friendship with fellow actor Dustin Hoffman. Both faced skepticism about their potential in the industry due to their unconventional looks, but Hackman’s determination remained unwavering. 

Actor Gene Hackman reacts during an interview on March 24, 1972. AP Photo/George Brich, File
University of Illinois logo
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC, U of I, Illinois, or University of Illinois)[12][13] is a public land-grant research university in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, Illinois, United States. Established in 1867, it is the founding campus and flagship institution of the University of Illinois System. With over 59,000 students, the University of Illinois is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States. The university contains 16 schools and colleges[14] and offers more than 150 undergraduate and over 100 graduate programs of study. The university holds 651 buildings on 6,370 acres (2,578 ha)[9] and its annual operating budget in 2016 was over $2 billion.[15] The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also operates a research park home to innovation centers for over 90 start-up companies and multinational corporations.[16] The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".[17] In fiscal year 2019, research expenditures at Illinois totaled $652 million.[18][16] The campus library system possesses the fourth-largest university library in the United States by holdings.[19] The university also hosts the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.[20] Illinois athletic teams compete in Division I of the NCAA and are collectively known as the Fighting Illini. They are members of the Big Ten Conference and have won the second-most conference titles. Illinois Fighting Illini football won the Rose Bowl Game in 1947, 1952, 1964 and a total of five national championships. Illinois athletes have won 29 medals in Olympic events. The alumni, faculty members, or researchers of the university include 24 Nobel laureates, 27 Pulitzer Prize winners, 2 Fields medalists, and 2 Turing Award winners.
Pasadena Playhouse is a Tony Award-winning historic performing arts venue located 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engagements each year. History Beginning around 1912, the period known as the Little Theatre Movement developed in cities and towns across the United States.[1] The artistic community that founded the Pasadena Playhouse was started in 1916 when actor-director Gilmor Brown began producing a series of plays at a renovated burlesque theatre with his troupe "The Gilmor Brown Players". Brown established the Community Playhouse Association of Pasadena in 1917 that would later become the Pasadena Playhouse Association, which necessitated a new venue for productions.[2] The community theatre organization quickly grew and in May 1924, the citizens of Pasadena raised funds to build a new theatre in the city center at 39 South El Molino Avenue. Completed in 1925, the theatre was designed in a Spanish Colonial Revival style by Pasadena artist and architect Elmer Grey, with a fire curtain painted by Pasadena artist Alson S. Clark. Its non-professional, community beginnings and the tremendous amount of local support for the project led George Bernard Shaw to dub Pasadena "the Athens of the West", likening the enterprise to the ancient Festival Dionysia.[3] The building that was designed by Grey and built by the Winter Construction Co. drew the attention of the nation, bringing Southern California world premieres by authors such as Eugene O'Neill, William Saroyan, Noël Coward, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Tennessee Williams, as well as many English language premieres of significant European dramas. The Playhouse was recognized by the Legislature as the State Theatre of California in 1937.[4] The Pasadena Playhouse School of Theatre Arts was established in 1927 initially offering course credit via the University of California. Later known as the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, it eventually became an accredited college in 1936, offering BFA and MFA degrees. The college trained notable talents such as Raymond Burr, Victor Mature, Ernest Borgnine, Eleanor Parker, Charles Bronson, Ray Vasquez, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Sally Struthers,[5] Jamie Farr,[6] Mako,[7] Robert Rockwell, and others.[8] During the school years, the Playhouse was very active, having as many as five independent stages in operation at any given time, giving 306–322 performances annually on the main stage alone.[4] In order to provide housing for the many students, older homes along El Molino Avenue were modified to become dormitories.[9] The varied staging capabilities offered by its five venues led the Playhouse to become one of the first companies in California to experiment with new theatrical forms such as theatre-in-the-round.[10] The Playhouse also built and operated one of the first television stations in Southern California. In addition to training the Air Force to use television and radio equipment, the Pasadena Playhouse supplied the majority of Southern California's early TV stations with the first trained technicians in the business.[10]
Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman at the 1968 Academy Awards, where Hoffman was nominated for Best Actor in The Graduate and Hackman was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Bonnie and Clyde. Neither won. Hoffman escorts Ellen McCarthy, whose father Eugene was running for the Democratic Presidential nomination at the time. April, 1968.
Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman. However, his passion for storytelling led him to the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where he studied acting. It was here that he formed a lifelong friendship with fellow actor Dustin Hoffman. Both faced skepticism about their potential in the industry due to their unconventional looks, but Hackman’s determination remained unwavering. 
Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman in "Runaway Jury" (2003) Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox

Breakthrough in Film

Hackman’s film career began with minor roles in the early 1960s, but his breakthrough came with the portrayal of Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (1967). His performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, signaling his arrival as a formidable talent in Hollywood. 

American actor, novelist and winner of two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, one Screen Actors Guild Awards and two BAFTAs, Gene Hackman poses for a portrait, circa 1965. Photo by Icon and Image/Getty Images
Directed by Arthur Penn, Written by David Newman, and Robert Benton, Produced by Warren Beatty, Starring Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons, with Cinematography by Burnett Guffey, and Edited by Dede Allen, with Music by Charles Strouse, Production company: Warner Bros. Pictures, and Distributed by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts (1967)
(L to R) Faye Dunaway, Wareen Beatty as Bonnie an Clyde in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
The cast of the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde posing with guns. From left to right: actor Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow, actress Estelle Parsons as Blanche Barrow, actor Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow, actress Faye Dunaway as Bonnie Parker, and actor Michael J. Pollard as C.W. Moss. Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Actor Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Actor Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Actor Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Gene Hackman and Warren Beatty in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
From left to right: actor Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow, actor Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow, and actress Faye Dunaway as Bonnie Parker. Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Actor Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Gene Hackman and Warren Beatty in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. During the gala, the AMPAS will present Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 23 categories, honoring films released in 2024. The ceremony will be televised in the United States by ABC and simultaneously live-streamed on Hulu, the first Academy Awards ceremony to be broadcast as such.[1][2][3] Comedian and podcaster Conan O'Brien is set to host the show for the first time, with Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan returning as executive producers.[4][5][6] Emilia Pérez received the most nominations with 13, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked with 10 each.

Notable Film Roles and Accolades

LOS ANGELES, CA - 1996: Actor Gene Hackman poses for a portrait circa 1996 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images
Directed by William Friedkin, with Screenplay by Ernest Tidyman, and Based on: "The French Connection" by Robin Moore, and Produced by Philip D'Antoni, Starring: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, with Cinematography by Owen Roizman, and Edited by Gerald B. Greenberg, with Music by Don Ellis, and Production companies: Philip D'Antoni Productions, and Schine-Moore Productions, and Distributed by 20th Century-Fox

1. The French Connection (1971): Hackman starred as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, a relentless New York cop determined to bust a narcotics ring. His intense portrayal earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, solidifying his status as a leading man. The film also won Best Picture, and Hackman’s performance remains iconic in the crime thriller genre. 

American actor Gene Hackman on the set of "The French Connection", based on the book by Robin Moore, and directed by William Friedkin. Photo by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
American actor Gene Hackman on the set of "The French Connection", based on the book by Robin Moore, and directed by William Friedkin. Photo by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
The 44th Academy Awards were presented April 10, 1972, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. The ceremonies were presided over by Helen Hayes, Alan King, Sammy Davis Jr., and Jack Lemmon. One of the highlights of the evening was the appearance of Betty Grable who made one of her last public appearances. She appeared along with one of her leading men from the 1940s, singer Dick Haymes, to present the musical scoring awards. Grable died the following year. This was the first time in the history of the awards that the nominees were shown in superimposed pictures while being announced. There were around seven million people who watched the ceremony.
Gene Hackman accepts the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his role as Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in "The French Connection" (1971) at the 44th Academy Awards in 1972. Photo Credit: AMPAS
American actors Gene Hackman (left) and Jane Fonda pictured holding their Academy Awards at the 44th Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on 10th April 1972. Gene Hackman collected the Academy Award for Best Actor with 'The French Connection' and Jane Fonda won the Best Actress award for 'Klute'. Photo by Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images
(Original Caption) Los Angeles, Calif,: Philip D' Antoni (left) and Gene Hackman, producer and star, respectively, of "best picture" The French Connection, hold Oscars they won-Hackman's for "best actor" at the 44th movie academy awards ceremony. Standing with them is Jane Fonda, who won "best actress" award for the movie Klute.
American actors Gene Hackman (2nd from left) and Jane Fonda (3rd from left) pictured with producer Philip D'Antoni (left) and director William Friedkin (right) holding their respective Academy Awards at the 44th Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on 10th April 1972. Philip D'Antoni collected the Academy Award for Best Picture with 'The French Connection', Gene Hackman won the Best Actor award, Jane Fonda won the Best Actress award for 'Klute' and William Friedkin won the Academy Award for Best Director with 'The French Connection'. Photo by Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images
American actor Gene Hackman on the set of "The French Connection", based on the book by Robin Moore, and directed by William Friedkin. Photo by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and Written by Francis Ford Coppola, and Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, Starring: Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Cindy Williams, Frederic Forrest, with Cinematography by Bill Butler, Haskell Wexler (uncredited), and Edited by Walter Murch, and Richard Chew, with Music by David Shire, and Production company: The Directors Company, and Distributed by Paramount Pictures

2. The Conversation (1974): In this psychological thriller directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Hackman played Harry Caul, a surveillance expert entangled in a moral dilemma. The film was nominated for Best Picture, and Hackman’s nuanced performance was widely acclaimed.

Gene Hackman as Harry Caul in "The Conversation", one of Francis Ford Coppola's early films. Caul is a surveillance expert. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
American actor Gene Hackman with director, screenwriter, and producer Francis Ford Coppola on the set of Coppola's movie "The Conversation". Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
Portrait of American actor Gene Hackman (left) and director Francis Ford Coppola on the set of their film, 'The Conversation,' 1978. Photo by Brian Hamill/Getty Images
Gene Hackman as Harry Caul in "The Conversation", one of Francis Ford Coppola's early films. Caul is a surveillance expert. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Gene Hackman as Harry Caul in "The Conversation", one of Francis Ford Coppola's early films. Caul is a surveillance expert. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. During the gala, the AMPAS will present Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 23 categories, honoring films released in 2024. The ceremony will be televised in the United States by ABC and simultaneously live-streamed on Hulu, the first Academy Awards ceremony to be broadcast as such.[1][2][3] Comedian and podcaster Conan O'Brien is set to host the show for the first time, with Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan returning as executive producers.[4][5][6] Emilia Pérez received the most nominations with 13, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked with 10 each.
Directed by Richard Donner, with Screenplay by Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton, with Story by Mario Puzo, and Based on: "Superman" by Jerry Siegel, and Joe Shuster, and Produced by Pierre Spengler, Starring: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Margot Kidder, Valerie Perrine, Maria Schell, Terence Stamp, Phyllis Thaxter, Susannah York, with Cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth, and Edited by Stuart Baird, with Music by John Williams, and Production companies: Dovemead Ltd., and International Film Production, and Distributed by Columbia–EMI–Warner Distributors (United Kingdom), and Warner Bros. (United States)

3. Superman: The Movie (1978): Hackman took on the role of Lex Luthor, the charismatic and cunning villain opposing Christopher Reeve’s Superman. His portrayal added depth and humor to the character, making Luthor a memorable antagonist in the superhero genre.

Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Gene Hackman and Christopher Reeve in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Valerie Perinne and Gene Hackman in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Ned Beatty and Gene Hackman in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures
Directed by David Anspaugh, and Written by Angelo Pizzo, and Produced by Carter De Haven, and Angelo Pizzo, Starring: Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper, with Cinematography by Fred Murphy, and Edited by Carroll Timothy O'Meara, with Music by Jerry Goldsmith, with Production companies: Hemdale Pictures, and De Haven Productions, and Distributed by Orion Pictures

4. Hoosiers (1986): Portraying Coach Norman Dale, Hackman delivered an inspiring performance in this sports drama about a small-town Indiana basketball team. The film received two Academy Award nominations and is often cited as one of the greatest sports movies ever made. 

Gene Hackman as Coach Norman Dale in "Hoosiers" (1986) Photo Credit: Orion Pictures
Steve Hollar, David Neidorf, Maris Valainis, and Brad Long "Hoosiers" (1986) © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Gene Hackman, Steve Hollar, David Neidorf, and Wade Schenck in "Hoosiers" (1986) Photo Credit: Orion Pictures
Dennis Hopper as Wilbur "Shooter" Flatch in "Hoosiers" (1986) Photo Credit: Orion Pictures
Gene Hackman as Coach Norman Dale in "Hoosiers" (1986) Photo Credit: Orion Pictures
Gene Hackman as Coach Norman Dale in "Hoosiers" (1986) Photo Credit: Orion Pictures
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. During the gala, the AMPAS will present Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 23 categories, honoring films released in 2024. The ceremony will be televised in the United States by ABC and simultaneously live-streamed on Hulu, the first Academy Awards ceremony to be broadcast as such.[1][2][3] Comedian and podcaster Conan O'Brien is set to host the show for the first time, with Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan returning as executive producers.[4][5][6] Emilia Pérez received the most nominations with 13, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked with 10 each.
Directed by Clint Eastwood Written by David Webb Peoples Produced by Clint Eastwood Starring Clint Eastwood Gene Hackman Morgan Freeman Richard Harris Cinematography Jack N. Green Edited by Joel Cox Music by Lennie Niehaus Production company Malpaso Productions Distributed by Warner Bros.

5. Unforgiven (1992): In Clint Eastwood’s revisionist Western, Hackman played Little Bill Daggett, a complex sheriff whose brutal methods blur the lines between hero and villain. This role earned Hackman his second Academy Award, this time for Best Supporting Actor, and the film won Best Picture. 

Clint Eastwood directing his revisionist Western, "Unforgiven" (1992) Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman in 'Unforgiven', directed by Clint Eastwood, 1992. Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
American actor Gene Hackman as Little Bill Daggett in 'Unforgiven', directed by Clint Eastwood, 1992. Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
American actor Gene Hackman as Little Bill Daggett in 'Unforgiven', directed by Clint Eastwood, 1992. Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
American actor Gene Hackman as Little Bill Daggett in 'Unforgiven', directed by Clint Eastwood, 1992. Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
The 65th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored films released in 1992 in the United States and took place on March 29, 1993, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles beginning at 6:00 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, AMPAS presented Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 23 categories. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Gil Cates and directed by Jeff Margolis.[2][3] Actor Billy Crystal hosted the show for the fourth consecutive year.[4] In related events, during a ceremony held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on March 6, the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement were presented by host Sharon Stone.[5] Unforgiven won four Oscars, including Best Picture.[6] Other winners included Bram Stoker's Dracula and Howards End with three awards, Aladdin with two, and The Crying Game, Death Becomes Her, Educating Peter, Indochine, The Last of the Mohicans, Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase, My Cousin Vinny, Omnibus, The Panama Deception, A River Runs Through It, and Scent of a Woman with one. The telecast garnered 45.7 million viewers in the United States.[7] As of the 96th Academy Awards, held in March 2024, this was the last to not feature an "In memoriam" section of the show.
Gene Hackman holds his Oscar at the 65th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. He won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Unforgiven. Photo by: Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
American actor Gene Hackman, wearing a tuxedo and black bow tie, with American actor and film director Clint Eastwood, who wears a tuxedo and red bow tie, in the 65th Academy Awards press room at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, 29th March 1993. Hackman holds his 'Best Supporting Actor' award and Eastwood has his 'Best Picture' and 'Best Director' awards, with all three awards received for 'Unforgiven'. Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
Marisa Tomei and Gene Hackman hold their Oscars at the 65th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Tomei won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1992 film My Cousin Vinny, and Hackman won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Unforgiven. Photo by: Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
Director Clint Eastwood holds award statuettes at the 65th annual Academy Awards March 29, 1993 in Los Angeles, CA. Eastwood received Best Picture and Best Director awards for "Unforgiven." (Photo by Barry King/Liaison)
Directed by Wes Anderson, and Written by Wes Anderson, and Owen Wilson, and Produced by Wes Anderson, Barry Mendel, and Scott Rudin, Starring: Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, and Narrated by Alec Baldwin, with Cinematography by Robert Yeoman, and Edited by Dylan Tichenor, with Music by Mark Mothersbaugh, and Production companies: Touchstone Pictures, and American Empirical Pictures, and Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

6. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001): As the patriarch Royal Tenenbaum in Wes Anderson’s ensemble dramedy, Hackman showcased his comedic timing and depth, earning a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. 

Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum in "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001) Photo Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, Jonah Meyerson, Kumar Pallana, and Grant Rosenmeyer in "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001) Photo Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum in "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001) Photo Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Owen Wilson Gwyneth Paltrow Wes Anderson The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum in "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001) Photo Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum in "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001) Photo Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Retirement and Later Years

Hackman retired from acting in 2004, with his final film role in Welcome to Mooseport as Monroe “Eagle” Cole. Post-retirement, he focused on writing, co-authoring several historical fiction novels. Despite stepping away from the limelight, Hackman’s legacy endured, with his films continuing to resonate with audiences and critics alike. 

SANTA FE, NM - JANUARY 07: Actor Gene Hackman is photographed for Vanity Fair Magazine on January 7, 2004 at home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photo by Jonathan Becker/Contour by Getty Images
Directed by Donald Petrie, with Screenplay by Tom Schulman, with Story by Doug Richardson, and Produced by Tom Schulman, Marc Frydman, and Basil Iwanyk, Starring: Ray Romano, Gene Hackman, Marcia Gay Harden, Maura Tierney, Christine Baranski, Rip Torn, with Cinematography by Victor Hammer, and Edited by Debra Neil-Fisher, with Music by John Debney, and Production company: Intermedia Films, and Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Gene Hackman and Ray Romano in "Welcome to Mooseport" (2004) Photo by Kerry Hayes - © 2004 Twentieth Century Fox. All rights reserved.
Gene Hackman, Fred Savage, and Marcia Gay Harden in "Welcome to Mooseport" (2004) Photo by Kerry Hayes - © 2004 Twentieth Century Fox. All rights reserved.
Gene Hackman as Monroe "Eagle" Cole in "Welcome to Mooseport" (2004) Photo by Kerry Hayes - © 2004 Twentieth Century Fox. All rights reserved.
Gene Hackman, Fred Savage, and Marcia Gay Harden in "Welcome to Mooseport" (2004) Photo by Kerry Hayes - © 2004 Twentieth Century Fox. All rights reserved.
Gene Hackman as Monroe "Eagle" Cole in "Welcome to Mooseport" (2004) Photo by Kerry Hayes - © 2004 Twentieth Century Fox. All rights reserved.
Gene Hackman signed a copy of his book 'Perdido Star' in Chicago in 2000. PHOTO BY TIM BOYLE/NEWSMAKERS
Gene Hackman and the cover of his novel 'Pursuit'. PHOTO: JEFFREY MAYER/WIREIMAGE; POCKET BOOKS
The covers of books written by Gene Hackman and Daniel Lenihan.
Clockwise from bottom left: The Royal Tenenbaums, The French Connection, The Conversation, and Unforgiven. Center: Gene Hackman Courtesy Everett Collection/Getty Images

Personal Life

Hackman was married to Faye Maltese from 1956 to 1986, with whom he had three children: Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. In 1991, he married classical pianist Betsy Arakawa. The couple resided in Santa Fe, New Mexico, leading a relatively private life away from Hollywood’s glare. 

Gene Hackman, circa 1980's Photo by Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty Images
(Eingeschränkte Rechte für bestimmte redaktionelle Kunden in Deutschland. Limited rights for specific editorial clients in Germany.) Hackman, Gene *30.01.1930-Schauspieler, USA- mit seiner Ehefrau Faye Maltese beim Erhalt desPreises der New Yorker Filmkritiker fuerseine Rolle in 'French Connection'- 1972 Photo by ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images
Gene Hackman and Faye Maltese, circa 1980's Photo by Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty Images
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Gene Hackman with his kids, Leslie, Christopher, and Elizabeth in 1978
Gene Hackman and his children, Leslie, Christopher and Elizabeth, at Sun Valley on January 1, 1974. TONY KORODY/SYGMA/SYGMA VIA GETTY IMAGES
American couple, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa and actor Gene Hackman, attend the PCC Celebrity Art Show benefit at Stringfellow's restaurant, Beverly Hills, California, September 11, 1991. Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Married American couple, actor Gene Hackman and Classical musician Betsy Arakawa, attend a Hollywood Foreign Press conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, California, November 11, 1992. Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman with their dad, Gene Hackman, and stepmother, Betsy Arakawa, in 1996.
Actor Gene Hackman with his wife Betsy Arakawa in New York in the last few years.Leslie Hackman
Gene Hackman & wife Betsy Arakawa during The 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Circumstances Surrounding Their Passing

On February 26, 2025, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their Santa Fe home, along with one of their dogs. Hackman, aged 95, reportedly died of significant heart disease with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor, while Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Investigations revealed that weeks before their deaths, a mystery man had been stalking the couple, adding a layer of intrigue to the tragic events.  

Gene Hackman & wife Betsy Arakawa during The 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Legacy

Gene Hackman’s career spanned over four decades, during which he delivered a plethora of memorable performances that showcased his versatility and depth as an actor. His ability to embody a wide range of characters, from flawed heroes to compelling villains, set him apart in the annals of cinema history. Hackman’s dedication to his craft and his unassuming presence made him a beloved figure both on and off the screen.

Eugene Allen Hackman (January 30, 1930 – c. February 18, 2025) was an American actor. Considered one of the greatest actors of his generation and a paragon of the New Hollywood movement, Hackman's acting career spanned over four decades. He received several accolades, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. Hackman made his credited film debut in the drama Lilith (1964). He later won two Academy Awards, his first for Best Actor for his role as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in William Friedkin's action thriller The French Connection (1971) and his second for Best Supporting Actor for playing a villainous sheriff in Clint Eastwood's Western Unforgiven (1992). He was Oscar-nominated for playing Buck Barrow in the crime drama Bonnie and Clyde (1967), a college professor in the drama I Never Sang for My Father (1970) and an FBI agent in the historical drama Mississippi Burning (1988). Hackman gained further fame for his portrayal of Lex Luthor in three of the Superman films from 1978 to 1987. He also acted in The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Scarecrow (1973), The Conversation (1974), Night Moves (1975), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Under Fire (1983), Hoosiers (1986), The Firm (1993), Wyatt Earp (1994), Crimson Tide (1995), The Quick and the Dead (1995), Get Shorty (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Absolute Power (1997), Enemy of the State (1998), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), and Runaway Jury (2003). He retired from acting after starring in Welcome to Mooseport (2004), venturing into writing novels and occasionally providing narration for television documentaries until 2017. Hackman was found dead along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at their home in Santa Fe on February 26, 2025. He is presumed to have died of heart disease complicated by advanced Alzheimer's disease around February 18, about a week after Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

In honoring Gene Hackman’s life and work, we celebrate an artist whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of film and storytelling.

An image of late US actor Gene Hackman is seen on a screen as US actor Morgan Freeman stands onstage during the 97th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 2, 2025. Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Rest in Peace Gene Hackman, and and may your memory be a blessing to your family and children.

LOS ANGELES, CA - 1996: Actor Gene Hackman poses for a portrait circa 1996 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images
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