The pair were found dead alongside their pet dog, but 16 years ago the veteran actor shared a glimpse into their life
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman shared one thing he and wife of almost 34 years, Betsy Arakawa, enjoyed doing together before tragically being found dead together.
The tranquil Santa Fe Summit community was shaken last night (February 26) by the discovery of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his partner, a 63-year-old classical pianist, found lifeless in their home. Their pet dog was also discovered deceased alongside them.
Authorities have stated there are no signs of foul play, but the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain under investigation. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the tragic news in a statement, saying, “All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant.”
Sheriff Mendoza sought to reassure the public, stating, “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.” However, he refrained from commenting on the cause of death or estimating when the couple may have passed.
Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner with over 100 acting credits to his name, retired from Hollywood in 2004. Shortly after, he and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, left Los Angeles behind for a quieter life in New Mexico.
Known for his deeply private nature, Hackman rarely gave interviews, a sentiment reflected in his decision to officially announce his retirement four years later. The couple maintained a low profile, choosing to live away from the spotlight in their peaceful Santa Fe home.
In a candid 2004 conversation with Reuters, Hackman openly confirmed his retirement, stating, “I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer. I really don’t want to do it any longer.” He admitted that he had been advised not to make such definitive statements in case an irresistible role came along, but remained firm in his decision: “I really don’t want to do it any longer.”
By 2009, the legendary actor had fully embraced his quiet life with Betsy. In an interview with Empire, he shared a rare glimpse into their world, describing the simple joys they found together. “We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce,” he said, revealing that their evenings were often spent watching DVDs that Betsy would rent for them.
In the same Empire interview, Hackman shared that Friday nights were reserved for laughter, as he and Betsy indulged in Comedy Channel marathons. Their favorite act? Eddie Izzard, whom Hackman praised for her “amazing speed of thought.”
The couple’s love story began in the mid-1980s, eventually leading to their marriage in 1991. However, Hackman was quick to dispel any misconceptions about their relationship, making it clear that his first marriage to Faye Maltese had ended long before.
“By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman,” he clarified. “We just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love.”
