Gene Hackman Dead at 95, Wife and Dog Also Found Dead in New Mexico

Beloved Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife—the musician Betsy Arakawa—have been found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico along with their dog. At this time, despite the strange nature of their deaths, local police have ruled out foul play, according to The Associated Press.

Hackman was 95 and Arakawa was 63. The couple had been living in New Mexica since 1989, where Hackman was largely retired, occasionally writing novels.

A celebrated actor, Hackman won Oscars for the films Unforgiven (1992) and The French Connection (1971). For several generations, he was also known as Superman’s nemesis, Lex Luthor, having played the role in the films Superman (1978), Superman II (1981), and Superman IV (1987). He later played the dominant, and titular patriarch in the 2001 Wes Anderson film The Royal Tenenbaums.

Hackman hasn’t participated in Hollywood events for nearly 20 years. He is survived by three children from a previous marriage, though Hackman and Arakawa had no children.

Sherffif Mendoza of Santa Fe has confirmed there is an “active investigation” into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa, according to the Guardian. No further information was offered at this time.

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