Before Gene Hackman was found deceased alongside his wife and dog in their New Mexico home, the Oscar-winning actor—best known for his portrayal of Lex Luthor opposite Christopher Reeve’s Superman—had shared a heartfelt detail about his love story with Betsy Arakawa, whom he married in 1991.
Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most esteemed actors, Gene Hackman. The two-time Academy Award winner was found dead on February 26, alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their pet dog in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home.
According to the Associated Press, police conducted a welfare check around 1:45 p.m. when deputies discovered the bodies of Hackman, 95, Arakawa, 63, and their dog in their large Southwestern-style ranch, located in a gated community.
Hackman and Arakawa’s relationship began in the mid-1980s when they met at a California gym where she worked part-time. Despite their 30-year age difference, they built a deep and lasting connection. After marrying in 1991, the couple moved to their home on Old Sunset Trail, a picturesque location overlooking the Rocky Mountains.
During his earlier years in Santa Fe, Hackman was frequently seen around town. However, as time went on, he became increasingly reclusive, with public sightings becoming rare. He and Arakawa embraced a quiet life away from the spotlight.
In a 2008 interview with Reuters, Hackman confirmed his retirement from acting, though he had never formally announced it. “I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer,” he admitted. Though he acknowledged missing the craft, he found the pressures of the industry too overwhelming.
“The business for me is very stressful. The compromises that you have to make in films are just part of the beast, and it had gotten to a point where I just didn’t feel like I wanted to do it anymore,” he explained.
A major factor in his decision to step away from Hollywood was a medical warning he received after a stress test. “The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York,” he told Empire in 2009. “The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”
Unlike many actors who announce retirement only to return to the screen, Hackman truly left Hollywood behind. His last film role was in 2004’s Welcome to Mooseport, starring alongside comedian Ray Romano.
Following his retirement, public sightings of Hackman became so rare that whenever he was seen, it made headlines. In 2023, The New York Post reported that he had been spotted grabbing a meal at a Wendy’s drive-thru before returning home to do yard work.
Though he left behind the glitz of Hollywood, Hackman found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. In a rare 2009 interview, he shared a glimpse into his quiet life with Arakawa.
On Friday nights, the couple would enjoy watching DVDs together, often selecting small, low-budget films with meaningful storytelling. One of their favorite comedians was Eddie Izzard, whom Hackman once praised for her quick wit and “amazing speed of thought.”
Authorities have confirmed that there was no immediate evidence of foul play, but the cause of death has not yet been released.
Hackman is survived by his three children from his previous marriage.
His legacy as a Hollywood legend is undeniable, but his most cherished role was in his personal life—as a devoted husband, a loving father, and a man who embraced a simple, peaceful existence.
