The iconic Hollywood legend, Gene Hackman, has passed away peacefully in his Santa Fe, New Mexico residence, accompanied by his beloved wife, the esteemed classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, quoting law enforcement sources. On Wednesday afternoon, Santa Fe County police officers discovered the bodies of the two-time Academy Award winner, aged 95, his spouse of 34 years, 63-year-old Arakawa, and their loyal canine companion.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County officially confirmed the heartbreaking news on Thursday, reassuring the public that foul play is not suspected. As of now, the exact cause of their demise remains undisclosed.
Hackman, whose stellar performances in films such as "The French Connection," "Bonnie and Clyde," and "The Royal Tenenbaums" cemented his status as one of cinema's most accomplished actors, leaves behind a rich legacy. His impressive resume boasts not only two Oscars but also three Golden Globes and the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award, bestowed upon him in 2003.
Born Eugene Hackman on January 30, 1930, in California, Hackman's early years were marked by his parents' nomadic lifestyle, which eventually led them to settle in Danville, Illinois. He vividly recalled bidding farewell to his father, Eugene, with a mere wave of his hand when he was just 13. "I hadn't realized how much one small gesture can mean," Hackman once shared with GQ in 2011. "Maybe that's why I became an actor."
At the tender age of 16, Hackman enlisted in the Marines, serving four and a half years across China, Japan, and Hawaii before enrolling at the University of Illinois to pursue a degree in journalism and television production. However, fate had other plans for him. Abandoning his academic aspirations, he embarked on a serious acting journey at the age of 27, joining the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where he fatefully met the then-19-year-old Dustin Hoffman. "There was something about him—like he had a secret. You just knew he was going to do something extraordinary," Hackman reminisced to Vanity Fair in 2004.
They forged a close-knit circle alongside Robert Duvall, embarking on an ambitious journey to launch their careers amidst the bustling streets of New York City. Hackman recounted to Vanity Fair, "Back then, there was an aura reminiscent of Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road'—a spirit of youthful exuberance, a craving for exhilarating experiences, unburdened by the pursuit of success. It was purely about diving into the unknown and seeing where it took us."
In 1964, at the prime age of 34, Hackman secured his groundbreaking Broadway role in "Any Wednesday," a triumph that paved the way for his star-making moment alongside Warren Beatty in "Lilith" (1964). When Beatty was assembling his cast for the revolutionary 1967 film "Bonnie and Clyde," he handpicked Hackman to portray his older brother, a performance that garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor—one of five such honors throughout his storied career.
Four years later, Hackman ascended to Oscar glory as Best Actor for "The French Connection," a crime thriller that cemented his status as a Hollywood leading man. The film, renowned for its daring car chase—a breathtaking sequence spanning 26 blocks of Brooklyn, executed illegally—miraculously left everyone unscathed. Reflecting on the film's 50th anniversary in a rare interview with The Post in 2021, Hackman mused, "Filmmaking has always been a double-edged sword—risky both physically and emotionally. Yet, I choose to view 'The French Connection' as a pivotal chapter in a career marked by both triumphs and challenges. Undoubtedly, the film was a career booster, and I am deeply grateful."
Post-"The French Connection," which he admitted to watching only once, Hackman embarked on a diverse filmography, starring in comedic classics like "Young Frankenstein" (1974) and dramas such as "Night Moves" (1975) and "Bite the Bullet" (1975). He donned the cape of Superman in "Superman" (1978) and even earned another Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven" (1992).
Hackman's resume also boasts blockbusters where he spearheaded as a rebellious reverend in "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972), an underdog high school basketball coach in "Hoosiers" (1986), a cunning tax lawyer in "The Firm" (1993), and an eccentric patriarch in "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001). Michael Caine, while presenting him with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2003, paid homage to Hackman as "one of the greatest actors" he had ever encountered, a testament to his enduring legacy in cinema.
Robin Williams, who shared the honors of presenting the award, quipped, "In Hollywood, Gene Hackman is revered as an actor's actor, but in the confines of my home, he holds the distinction of being a comedian's comedian." He continued, "Be it comedy or drama, you stand unparalleled as the most talented actor in America. Moreover, you embody the essence of a true superhuman."
Hackman, who adorned over 100 film credits to his name, bowed out gracefully with his final appearance in 2004's "Welcome to Mooseport," choosing to retreat to the serene landscapes of New Mexico, bidding adieu to both the silver screen and its exhilarating stunts.
Reflecting on his decision in an interview with Empire in 2009, Hackman revealed, "The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back was a stress test I underwent in New York. The physician's advice was unequivocal—my heart wasn't in a condition to endure any more strain." Instead, he embraced the tranquil pleasures of life, indulging in low-budget film projects, painting, fishing, and penning novels.
Collaborating with his friend, underwater researcher Daniel Lenihan, Hackman co-authored adventurous tales like "Justice For None" and "Wake of the Perdido Star." Speaking of his writing endeavors, Hackman remarked, "It serves as a serene escape for me. While I don't fancy myself as a literary giant, I derive immense joy from the creative process." Acknowledging the inherent stress, he conceded, "It's a unique form of stress, one that you can wield with ease, for you sit alone, unbothered by the expectations of 90 people awaiting your amusement."
Hackman leaves behind a legacy cherished by his three children—Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne—from his late former marriage to Faye Maltese.
