EBN- Two-time Oscar- winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The circumstances of their deaths have not yet been announced.
Goodbye Gene Hackman and his wife
In a statement issued by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico, it was said: “We can confirm that Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their home. The investigation is ongoing, but at this time we do not believe foul play is suspected.”
Director Francis Coppola mourned his friend Gene, calling him a “great artist.” He wrote on Instagram: “Gene Hackman was a great actor, inspiring and brilliant at his work. I am saddened by his loss, and his presence and contribution will be missed.”
Valerie Perrin, who appeared with him in Superman (1978), also paid tribute to him, calling the late actor a “genius” and one of the “greatest to grace the silver screen.”
She posted on X: “His performance was legendary. His talent will be missed. Farewell dear Lex until we meet again.”
Actor George Takei also posted an obituary, saying: “We have lost a giant of the screen. Gene Hackman could play any character, and you felt like he was a real person, not just acting. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.
Gene Hackman’s rich artistic career
In a career spanning more than six decades, Hackman has won two Academy Awards for his work on The French Connection and Unforgiven.
He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Jimmy Doyle in William Friedkin’s 1971 thriller “The French Connection,” and another for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 film “Unforgiven.”
He was also nominated for an Oscar for other leading roles. In addition to his Oscar win, he has also won two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
The famous actor Hackman played more than 100 roles during his artistic career, the most famous of which was the role of the super villain Lex Luthor in the Superman films, starring Christopher Reeve in the seventies and eighties.
Hackman acted opposite many Hollywood stars, including Al Pacino in 1973’s Scarecrow, Gene Wilder in 1974’s Young Frankenstein, and Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton in 1981’s Reds.
He also starred in the hit films Runaway Jury, Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums, and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation.
