Gene Hackman and wifes last public photos revealed

This week, the world was rocked by the sudden passing of the legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead at their Santa Fe residence. The news of Hackman’s death has left fans and colleagues alike in shock, with tributes pouring in from all corners of the globe. People are reflecting on his extraordinary career and his decision to step away from the public eye in his later years, though he did make occasional appearances.

One of his last public appearances occurred just a year before his death, when Hackman, at 95 years old, was seen in public for the first time in more than two decades. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, was by his side when the couple was spotted leaving Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2024. Hackman, holding onto a cane in one hand, was seen leaning on his wife’s arm. Their dog, which had lived with them in their New Mexico home, also passed away on February 26, 2025, just days before their deaths.

Santa Fe County confirmed the couple’s passing on Wednesday afternoon. In an official statement, they said, “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased at their residence on Sunset Trail. We do not believe foul play was involved, but this remains under investigation.”

Hackman, married to Arakawa since 1991, had largely distanced himself from the spotlight in his later years, though the couple had been seen publicly on rare occasions. Hackman’s health had been a concern for years, and in 2004, he retired from acting due to medical issues. The actor, best known for his roles in The French Connection, Mississippi Burning, and Behind Enemy Lines, explained in a 2009 interview that a stress test had marked the end of his career. “The doctor told me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress,” Hackman recalled.

Hackman had a prolific career in Hollywood, starring in 79 films between 1961 and 2004. He was honored with two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, two BAFTAs, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. His legacy as a distinguished actor is cemented through his outstanding contributions to film.

Renowned director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Hackman on The Conversation (1974), expressed his admiration: “The loss of a great artist is always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman was a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I honor his life and contributions while grieving his passing.”

Hackman’s death marks the end of an era in Hollywood, but his remarkable legacy will live on through his iconic performances.