Hollywood icon Gene Hackman died at age 95 on February 26, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported. Per the outlet, the Academy Award-winning actor, celebrated for his roles in “Superman,” “The French Connection,” and “Unforgiven,” and was found dead in his Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, 2025, alongside his wife, musician Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog. Hackman leaves behind Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie, the three children he shared with his ex-wife, Filipa Maltese, to whom he was married from 1956 until 1986.
According to authorities, the couple was confirmed dead after midnight on Thursday, February 27. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that no foul play was suspected, though an official cause of death has yet to be determined.
Following Hackman’s death, those who adored his acting and were inspired by his career have been looking back both at what he overcame and what he accomplished during his life. Let’s do the same.
Gene Hackman learned what can carry you a long way
Gene Hackman — who was born in San Bernardino, California, on January 30, 1930 — lied his way into the U.S. Marine Corps at just 16 after his father “abandoned” the family a few years earlier. When Hackman was discharged, he pursued acting, which is when he met Dustin Hoffman. Together, they were deemed the “least likely to succeed.” Despite that, Hackman told the Independent, “I wasn’t going to let any f***ers get me down.” And he definitely didn’t.
The actor went on to appear in plenty of popular films throughout his long life while also taking home Oscars for his performances in both 1971’s “The French Connection” and 1992’s “Unforgiven.” On top of that, he earned Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as a long list of other honors.
In 2020, following Hackman’s retirement from the screen, he talked to Empire about his career. “When I’m actually on the set or on a stage, actually doing the work, I loved that process and I loved the creative process of trying to bring a character to life,” he explained. “One asks oneself questions as an actor like, ‘Where am I coming from? Where am I going? What do I want?’ Those three simple things can carry you a long way as an actor.” They can also carry you a long way in life.
