Tributes have poured in for Gene Hackman, who passed away yesterday aged 95.
Gene Hackman was reportedly found dead with his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog on Wednesday afternoon (February 26) in their home in the New Mexico city of Santa Fe, Per the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Their deaths were confirmed by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza hours later at midnight. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that, in an interview, Mendoza stated there was no immediate indication of foul play. No cause of death was provided, along with a possible time of death.
Arakawa, a classical pianist, was 63. He is survived by his three children: Christopher, Elizabeth Jean and Leslie Anne, with whom he shared with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, who died in 2017.
One of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, Hackman worked as an actor for over four decades. He won Best Actor at the Academy Awards for the classic crime thriller The French Connection, and Best Supporting Actor for Clint Eastwood’s Western Unforgiven.
He also appeared in 1978’s Superman as villain Lex Luthor, and in Wes Anderson comedy The Royal Tenenbaums. He retired from acting in 2004, and would go on to write a number of crime novels.
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Francis Ford Coppola, his director on The Conversation, posted on Instagram with a picture of the pair on set. The caption read: “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution”.
The Prince Of Wales posted a tribute on X (formerly Twitter), saying he was “so sad” to hear the news, and calling Hackman a “true genius”. Clint Eastwood, Hackman’s director and co-star in Unforgiven and the thriller Absolute Power, shared on the platform “Extremely saddened by the passing of Gene Hackman, He will be deeply missed…
So sad to hear the news of the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy. Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality. W https://t.co/qcqmMsHs1f
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 27, 2025
Extremely saddened by the passing of Gene Hackman, He will be deeply missed… pic.twitter.com/7OlSijbB1H
— Clint Eastwood (@EastwoodMalpaso) February 27, 2025
Morgan Freeman, Hackman’s co-star in Unforgiven, reflected on their time making the drama Under Suspiction. Mel Brooks, who directed Hackman in a rare comedy performance in Young Frankenstein, reminisced about his casting in the film and called the actor “perfect”.
One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film Gardé a Vue (Under Suspicion) to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman. And of course… Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend. pic.twitter.com/Rw6DTwScZn
— Morgan Freeman (@morgan_freeman) February 27, 2025
I was privileged to know Gene Hackman because he played tennis with another Gene—Gene Wilder. And that Gene told him about a little role called The Blind Hermit in our movie YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. He said, “Do you think Mel would let me play it? I’ve always wanted to do a comedy.”… pic.twitter.com/hjDHROS6GA
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) February 28, 2025
DC Universe boss James Gunn paid tribute, posting: “Gene Hackman was truly one of the greatest screen actors of all time. He almost never hit a false note”. Oscar winner Ralph Fiennes shared a picture of the actor with the caption “Gene Hackman 1930 – 2025”.
Gene Hackman was truly one of the greatest screen actors of all time. He almost never hit a false note. Always mesmerizing. Rest in Peace, Gene. My favorite movies of his:
The Conversation
Unforgiven
Night Moves
Bonnie & Clyde
The French Connection
Superman
Mississippi Burning pic.twitter.com/jXVw0nbZ8z— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 27, 2025
Gene Hackman 1930 – 2025 pic.twitter.com/8N5Yt2fuO8
— Ralph Fiennes (@mrralphfiennes) February 27, 2025
On Instagram, Tom Hanks said “There has never been a ‘Gene Hackman Type’. There has only been Gene Hackman”. Viola Davis also shared on her account “You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you”.
Edgar Wright, who cited The French Connection as an inspiration for his 2017 film Baby Driver, shared a picture of the actor on and wrote “The greatest…”
Hollywood star Antonio Banderas also tweeted: “A very sad day for the cinema’s family. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away. My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers. RIP”
The greatest… https://t.co/8hUq4JpM1j
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) February 27, 2025
A very sad day for the cinema’s family. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away.
My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers.
RIP 🎬🖤 pic.twitter.com/PmuiLU4Jyb— Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) February 27, 2025
Star Trek legend George Takei posted: “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”.
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… pic.twitter.com/OfmXVCG0jt
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 27, 2025