95-year-old actor Gene Hackman, wife, dog found dead at home

Gene Hackman, the renowned Oscar-winning US actor, and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Hackman, 95, and his wife, 63, were discovered deceased on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, the Santa Fe County Sheriff in New Mexico said it had launched an investigation into the deaths, but “foul play is not suspected at this time”.

“We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail,” the statement reads.

“This is an active investigation – however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza also confirmed on Thursday that the couple died along with their dog.

Hackman’s illustrious career spanned over six decades, earning him numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, two Baftas, four Golden Globes, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

He was known for his iconic roles in films including ‘The French Connection,’ ‘Unforgiven,’ ‘Bonnie and Clyde,’ and ‘Mississippi Burning’.

Hackman played the role of Lex Luthor in Superman movies in the 1970s and 1980s. His most recent big-screen performance was in ‘Welcome to Mooseport’ (2004).

He won the best actor Oscar for his role as Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in William Friedkin’s 1971 thriller ‘The French Connection’. He also won another Oscar for best supporting actor for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s Western film ‘Unforgiven’ (1992).

Gene and classical pianist Betsy married in 1991. He was previously married to Faye Maltese, with whom he had one son and two daughters: Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Ann Hackman.