The legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Hackman, who was 95 years old, leaves an indelible legacy in the film world. For now, the causes of the deaths are unknown and the Santa Fe County Police have opened an investigation to clarify the fatalities.
Hackman was born on January 30, 1930, in California and had lived in near solitude since 2004. His youth was marked by parental abandonment and his service in the Marine Corps. Despite trying other disciplines, his passion for acting led him to enroll in the Pasadena Playhouse in 1956, where he formed a solid friendship with Dustin Hoffman.
In the 60s, his career began to take off with notable performances on Broadway and in films, such as "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Lilith." However, true stardom came to him in 1971 with "The French Connection," a role for which he won his first Academy Award.
Hackman was known for his versatility and masterful performances in films such as "The Conversation," "Superman" as Lex Luthor, "Mississippi Burning," and "Unforgiven," where he won his second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
During the 90s, he appeared in successful films like "The Firm," "Get Shorty," "Enemy of the State," and "The Royal Tenenbaums," the latter earning him a Golden Globe for Best Actor. After announcing his retirement in 2004 following "Welcome to Mooseport," Hackman chose a quieter life in New Mexico due to heart problems.
