Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa’s last public outing before shock deaths at home
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead at their Santa Fe home on Wednesday.
Gene Hackman was last pictured holding onto his wife Betsy Arakawa for support in their final public outing before their deaths.
The Oscar-winning actor, 95, and his pianist wife, 61, were found dead alongside their pet dog at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday night. Police did not confirm a cause of death as the investigation is still active.
Hackman had become reclusive after retiring from his glittering Hollywood career, which included winning two Academy Awards and four Golden Globes, but he was seen in a rare appearance alongside Arakawa nearly a year before they died.
The couple were seen leaving the Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen restaurant in Santa Fe on March 28, 2024, after enjoying lunch together. Hackman at times looked frail using a walking stick and holding onto Arakawa’s arm for support, but he was also seen walking independently and carrying a coffee cup.
It was the first time Hackman had been pictured with his wife in public for 21 years having last appeared together at the 2003 Golden Globes when the actor was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille award.
Hackman officially retired from acting in 2004 with his last role in the comedy movie Welcome To Mooseport in which he starred alongside Ray Romano and Christine Baranski. However, he didn’t stop working entirely at that point and released his third novel in 2008, confirming to Reuters during the press tour: ‘I’m not going to act any longer.’
In March 2024, Hackman was pictured out with his wife Besty Arakawa in Santa Fe (Picture: Splash News) Needing to hold his balance, Hackman held onto Arakawa’s arm for support (Picture: Splash News)Hinting at his reclusive lifestyle, Hackman told GQ in 2011 when asked if he’d break his retirement for one more film: ‘If I could do it in my own house, maybe, without them disturbing anything and just one or two people.’
Hackman was best known for starring in films such as Bonnie and Clyde, The French Connection, the Superman film series, Behind Enemy Lines and Runaway Jury.
His years away from the spotlight meant being able to spend more time with his beloved wife Arakawa, who he married in 1991. They began dating in the 1980s after reportedly meeting in a California gym where she worked while pursuing her music career.
The Hollywood titan retired from acting in 2004 (Picture: Splash News) Hackman was seen holding onto a coffee cup as they left the Santa Fe restaurant (Picture: Splash News)Arakawa was Hackman’s second wife after previously being wed to Faye Maltese from 1956 to 1986.
He was forced to clarify that his relationship with Arakawa didn’t begin until after he was divorced from Maltese.
The actor said at the time: ‘By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman. 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.’
Police are continuing their investigation into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa, with a statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department saying: ‘We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.
Hackman was an Oscar-winning actor starring in many iconic films (Picture: AP)‘This is an active investigation – however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.’
Devastated Hollywood stars have begun paying tribute to the couple, with George Takei writing on X: ‘We have lost one of the true giants of the screen.
‘Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe.
‘That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.’
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