Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies found Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and a dog dead when they preformed a welfare check at the home.
SANTA FE, N.M. — Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog were found dead in their New Mexico home Wednesday, authorities said.
Foul play was not suspected, but authorities did not release circumstances of their deaths and said an investigation was ongoing.
During a welfare check at their home at around 1:45 p.m., Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies made a grim discovery. They found Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and a dog all deceased, as confirmed by spokesperson Denise Avila.
Gene Hackman, aged 95, was a highly acclaimed actor with five Oscar nominations to his name. He was known for his roles in numerous films and was considered one of the most respected and revered performers in the industry. His Oscars for “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven” were won 21 years apart.
News of his death comes just four days before this year’s Academy Awards ceremony.
Their residence is situated in a gated community just on the outskirts of Santa Fe, the capital city of New Mexico. Hackman relocated to the area in the 1980s and was a familiar figure around town. Moreover, he also served as a board member of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in the 1990s, as reported by the local publication, The New Mexican.
Hackman played a variety of roles, appearing in action movies, thrillers and even had a comedic part in “Young Frankenstein.”
Aside from appearances at awards shows, he was rarely seen in the Hollywood social circuit and retired in his mid-70s.
An email sent to his publicist was not immediately returned early Thursday.
