Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in New Mexico. Hackman was 95.
Their cause of death has not been confirmed but it is not believed to be foul play. Deputies responded to a welfare check request at the home around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday and found Hackman, Arakawa and a dog deceased. An investigation is ongoing.
Hackman’s performances in such films as “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers,” “Unforgiven,” and “The Firm” elevated character roles to leading-man levels.
He won an Oscar for his portrayal of New York cop Popeye Doyle in 1971’s “The French Connection”. He won his second Oscar for his performance as Little Bill Daggett, the violent sheriff in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 film, “Unforgiven.”
Gene Hackman’s death comes just days before the Academy Awards on Sunday.
Hackman had three children, whom he shared with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, who died in 2017.