Hollywood in Shock: Gene Hackman has died aged 95, ALONG with wife Betsy Arakawa aged 63

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 63, have been found dead at their Santa Fe home, according to police. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that both Hackman and Arakawa, along with their dog, were discovered deceased. He noted that no foul play is suspected at this time and that authorities are currently conducting a preliminary investigation while awaiting a search warrant.

Hackman, renowned for his iconic roles such as Lex Luthor in Superman, Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven, and Jimmy Doyle in The French Connection, was known for his privacy. He retired from acting in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of over 100 film roles, and moved to New Mexico. Hackman once explained his decision to retire by saying, “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.” Rumors had linked his retirement to stress, though he maintained a dignified silence on the subject.

Hackman and Betsy Arakawa began dating in the mid-’80s and married in 1991, a union he clarified was not the result of leaving his first wife, Faye Maltese, but rather a gradual drifting apart that sometimes occurs in the demanding entertainment industry.

Fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to the actor and his wife. One Twitter user lamented, “RIP Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, marking the end of an era in cinema,” while others celebrated their immense contributions to film and music, calling Hackman “one of the best actors Hollywood ever gave us” and praising his unforgettable legacy.

As details remain scarce, the world mourns the loss of two cherished figures who left an indelible mark on the arts.