Gene Hackman, one of Hollywood’s most formidable and versatile actors, has passed away at the age of 95. The celebrated star, his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog were found deceased at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Authorities confirmed there was no indication of foul play.
Though Hackman entered acting later in life, he quickly became one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. Over a five-decade career, he won two Academy Awards and was nominated for three more, seamlessly shifting between roles in action, drama, and comedy.
His rugged, everyman looks set him apart, making him equally suited for leading and character roles. Hackman’s breakout performance came in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), and from that point, he was rarely out of work, delivering powerhouse performances in The French Connection, Mississippi Burning, and Superman.
In 2004, he retired from acting on the advice of his cardiologist and withdrew from public life, settling into a quiet existence in New Mexico with his second wife, Betsy.
Eugene Allen Hackman was born in 1930 in San Bernardino, California, and endured a turbulent childhood. His parents’ divorce led to him being passed between relatives before finally settling with his maternal grandmother in Danville, Illinois.
His father abandoned the family when Hackman was just 13, a moment he later described as pivotal to his decision to become an actor. His mother tragically died in 1962 after accidentally setting fire to her mattress while intoxicated.
Seeking escape, Hackman lied about his age to join the Marines at 16, serving nearly five years as a radio operator in China. He later admitted that his rebellious nature made him a poor fit for military life.
After briefly studying journalism and TV production at the University of Illinois, Hackman enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse in the 1960s. There, he and classmate Dustin Hoffman were once voted “least likely to succeed.” Undeterred, both actors moved to New York, where they shared an apartment with Robert Duvall.
Hackman took on a series of odd jobs while chasing stage roles. He once worked as a doorman, where a former Marine drill sergeant recognized him and scoffed that he’d never amount to anything. He also did a stint as an overnight cleaner in the Chrysler Building, which he described as the worst job he ever had.
His breakthrough came in Bonnie and Clyde, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Another nomination followed for I Never Sang for My Father (1970), but it was The French Connection (1971) that cemented his place in Hollywood history. His gripping portrayal of narcotics detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle won him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
Hackman went on to star in critically acclaimed films such as The Conversation, Night Moves, and Mississippi Burning, earning another Oscar nomination for the latter. He also proved his comedic chops in Young Frankenstein and memorably played the cunning villain Lex Luthor in Superman and Superman II.
His career continued to flourish through the 1980s and 1990s. He won a second Oscar, this time for Best Supporting Actor, for his chilling portrayal of Sheriff Bill Daggett in Unforgiven (1992). Other notable films included The Firm, Enemy of the State, and The Royal Tenenbaums, a performance that earned him widespread acclaim.
Hackman retired from acting after Welcome to Mooseport (2004), explaining that he no longer wanted to endure the stress and compromises of filmmaking. Though he rarely appeared in public afterward, he briefly returned to narrate two documentaries about the U.S. Marine Corps.
He then transitioned to a successful writing career, co-authoring four novels with Daniel Lenihan before penning two solo works: Payback at Morning Peak (2011) and Pursuit (2013). Writing, he once said, provided him with solitude and creative control—something he found lacking in Hollywood.
Hackman married Faye Maltese in 1956, and they had three children before divorcing in 1986. He later married Betsy Arakawa, with whom he shared a quiet life in Santa Fe.
Beyond acting, Hackman was an accomplished golfer, painter, and race car driver, even competing in the 1983 Daytona Endurance Race.
Despite his fame, he shunned the Hollywood spotlight, once saying, “If you look at yourself as a star, you’ve already lost something in the portrayal of any human being.”
With over 80 films to his name, Gene Hackman leaves behind an enduring legacy—one of grit, depth, and remarkable versatility. He may have been Hollywood’s quintessential tough guy, but his talent and range ensured he was much more than that.
