Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and wife found dead at home

Oscar-winning actor Yine Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, a classical pianist, have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Local reports say the couple died along with their dog.

Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office have stated that they do not believe foul play was a factor in the deaths – even if no cause of death has been released at the time of writing.  

“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” the sheriff told the Santa Fe New Mexican. The statement came before authorities had positively identified the pair, per the publication. “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”

Hackman won an Oscar for a Best Actor in William Friedkin’s 1971 action movie The French Connection, in which he played Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. He won a second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Western Unforgiven, for playing Little Bill Daggett. 

The legendary Hollywood actor and former Marine was also known for playing Lex Luthor in the Superman films, as well as starring in classics like The Conversation, Mississippi Burning, Crimson Tide, The Firm, Under Fire, The Birdcage and The Royal Tenenbaums.

His last big screen role was in 2004 in Welcome to Mooseport – and the same year, he announced that he was retiring from acting.

Hackman and Arakawa married in 1991 and lived outside in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Hackman is survived by his children, Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie.

This is a breaking news story and is being updated.