Gene Hackman, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor known forhis legendary performances inThe French Connection,Superman, andThe Royal Tenenbaums, has been found dead alongside his wife,Betsy Arakawa, at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The couple’s dog was also discovered at the scene. Authorities confirmed that New Mexico police responded to the couple’s Sunset Trail residence on Wednesday afternoon, where they were pronounced dead. An updated message from authorities on Thursday morning said that a “thorough investigation” would be required, and that the deaths were being treated as “suspicious”.
Hackman was widely considered one of the finest actors of his generation, and over the course of his career which spanned multiple decades, he delivered iconic performances in some of Hollywood’s most revered films. He was born in San Bernadino, California, in January 1930 and he took an unlikely path towards becoming a star. He served in the US Marine Corps before turning his eye towards acting, and eventuallymade his breakthrough inBonnie and Clydein 1967,for which his performance as Buck Barrow earned him the first of many Oscar nominations.
What Films Did Gene Hackman Make?
He won his first Oscar for his role as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle inThe French Connectionin 1971, and his career simply skyrocketed. He later took on the role of one of cinema’s most iconic villains in the shape of Lex Luthor in 1978’sSuperman. In 1992, Hackman took home another Academy Award for his performance inUnforgivenfor his role as Little Bill Daggettin theClint EastwoodWestern. His quality was evident up until the end of his acting career, with his performance as the eccentric patriarch inThe Royal Tenenbaumsin 2001 a fine cherry for his legacy.
Hackman’s credits are too lengthy to list in full, but for those keen to get a flavor of the man, they may also want to check out films likeThe Poseidon Adventure, one of the first great disaster films;The Conversation,Hoosiers,Mississippi Burning, Get Shorty,Crimson Tide, Enemy of the StateandThe Replacements, a fun, heartwarming sports tale which pitted Hackman against a charmingKeanu Reeves.
Hackman retired from acting after his final film,Welcome to Mooseportin 2004, choosing to step away from the spotlight and focus on writing historical fiction novels. He authored several books, includingEscape from AndersonvilleandPayback at Morning Peak.
The thoughts of everyone at Collider are with the friends and family of Gene Hackman and Betsy Awakawa.
