Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa Found Dead in Santa Fe Home

Gene Hackman, the iconic 95-year-old actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found deceased in their Santa Fe residence on Wednesday afternoon, alongside their beloved dog.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the heartbreaking discovery, revealing that deputies conducted a welfare check around 1:45 PM local time after a concerned neighbor reported the couple’s unusual absence from their daily routines.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza addressed the media, stating, “We are in the early stages of a death investigation. While there are no immediate signs of foul play, we are awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death.” Authorities also noted that the couple’s dog was found deceased, adding an element of mystery to the case.

A pending search warrant will allow investigators to thoroughly examine the property, though officials reassured the public that there is no immediate threat to the community.

Born Eugene Allen Hackman on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, he was the son of Eugene Ezra Hackman, a newspaper press operator, and Anna Lyda Elizabeth Gray, who was originally from Canada. Of Pennsylvania Dutch (German), English, and Scottish descent, Hackman had one sibling, a brother named Richard Hackman.

Hackman’s six-decade career left an indelible mark on Hollywood, earning him two Academy Awards—Best Actor for The French Connection (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992). His final film role came in Welcome to Mooseport (2004), after which he retired to Santa Fe to focus on writing and a quieter life away from the spotlight.

Betsy Arakawa, born in 1961 in Hawaii, was a classical pianist of Japanese and mixed heritage. She and Hackman married in 1991, forming a deep and enduring partnership. While they had no children together, Arakawa was a loving stepmother to Hackman’s three children from his first marriage. The couple lived in a breathtaking 12-acre hilltop estate in Santa Fe, featured in Architectural Digest in 1990, and were often seen together at local events.

Hackman was previously married to Faye Maltese from 1956 to 1986. Together, they had three children: Christopher Allen Hackman, 65, a Hollywood camera operator known for working on films like Hoosiers (1986); Elizabeth Jean Hackman, 62, who has maintained a private life; and Leslie Anne Hackman, 58, who has also stayed out of the public eye.

Hackman’s first wife, Faye Maltese, passed away in 2017. His children, of mixed Caucasian heritage reflecting his Pennsylvania Dutch, English, and Scottish ancestry, along with their mother’s Italian roots, have largely stayed away from the limelight.

In retirement, Hackman prioritized family, growing especially close to his grandchildren. A family friend shared, “He regretted not being around more when his kids were young, but in later years, he made up for lost time and cherished being a grandfather.”