The news of Gene Hackman‘s passing, along with his wife Betsy Arakawa, has left the public and celebrities graving and in mourning.

The 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor and the 63-year-old classical pianist were found deceased in their home in the Santa Fe Summit community northeast of the city.

The Discovery

On Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed that both Hackman and Arakawa had been found dead in their gated community home named Old Sunset Trail. The Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza reported, “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday.”

It was reported that police were responding to a neighbor’s request for a welfare check around 1:45 p.m. The deputies discovered the bodies of a man in his 90s and a woman in her 60s, and the exact cause of death has not been determined. Multiple dogs in the home were also affected, with one not surviving the incident.

A Life of Artistry and intellect

Hackman, born in 1930, had a storied career in film, which spanned over 40 years, including notable performances in The French Connection, Superman, and The Royal Tenenbaums. His journey to stardom was anything but conventional; he began his acting career in his 30s and went on to embody the antiheroic mien of 1970s Hollywood.

After joining the Marines in the late 1940s, Hackman decided to pursue acting in the late 1950s. He befriended Dustin Hoffman at the Pasadena Playhouse, and the two were voted “the least likely to succeed.” Despite the unpromising start, Hackman made his big screen debut opposite Warren Beatty in the melodrama Lilith in 1964.

Early Career and Breakthrough Roles

A breakthrough role for Hackman came three years later when he played Buck Barrow in Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde, earning his first Oscar nomination for best supporting actor. Although he lost to George Kennedy in Cool Hand Luke, this role led to his first leading part in I Never Sang for My Father with Melvyn Douglas. Despite initial struggles, Hackman found mentorship in Douglas, who pushed him to take his craft more seriously. This mentorship earned him his second Oscar nomination.

The following year, Hackman took the lead in William Friedkin’s action thriller The French Connection and ascended to the A-list thanks to the film’s box office success. Hackman won his first Oscar for best actor for his role as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. Reflecting on the film, Hackman once said,

“Film-making has always been risky — both physically and emotionally — but I do choose to consider that film a moment in a checkered career of hits and misses.”

– Hackman in a 2021 interview

A Decade of Success and Iconic Roles

The 1970s were a decade of immense success for Hackman. He starred in The Poseidon Adventure and A Bridge Too Far, and showcased his comedic talents in Young Frankenstein and Superman, playing the iconic role of Lex Luthor.

Some of Hackman’s best work during this period includes Night Moves, Scarecrow, and The Conversation. Despite his remarkable career, Hackman turned down roles in films like Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, preferring to focus on roles that he found deeply meaningful.

The 1990s and Beyond

The 1990s continued to be a prolific period for Hackman. He played Lex Luthor again in the Superman sequels, and starred in acclaimed films like Reds, Hoosiers, and No Way Out. He earned another Oscar nomination for Mississippi Burning and won his second Oscar for Unforgiven in 1992.

In addition to his acting career, Hackman began a second career as an author of historical fiction. His first book, Wake of the Perdido Star, was followed by four others, including his last published book in 2011.

The Later Years

In his later years, Hackman continued to take on roles that showcased his versatility. His final film was the 2004 comedy Welcome to Mooseport. In 2008, he confirmed his retirement from acting, citing health concerns. He went on to narrate documentaries like The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima and We, the Marines, and co-wrote three historical fiction novels with Daniel Lenihan before writing two solo efforts.

A Family Man and Comfort in Later Life

He and Arakawa were last seen in public on a lunch date in Santa Fe, appearing well and cheerful. Their deaths could not easily be determined were heartbreaking and shocked fans and loved ones.