Gene Hackman - the Hollywood legend who loved his Friday night dates with wife

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman's career was a stunning example of a true movie star. His versatility was second to none with roles in hit moves from supervillain Lex Luther in Superman through to a tough sheriff in Unforgiven.

From his breakout role in Bonnie and Clyde to his iconic turn as Popeye Doyle in The French Connection, he brought a raw intensity that made every character unforgettable. Whether playing a tormented surveillance expert in The Conversation or the ruthless sheriff in Unforgiven, Hackman thrived in roles that blurred the line between hero and villain.

But he was happiest away from the screen, shunning fame to live a simple life with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, spending their days at home watching Eddie Izzard shows. The legendary actor, two-time Oscar winner, and author was found dead alongside the classical pianist at their Santa Fe home.

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The couple, along with their dog, were discovered on Wednesday afternoon in their home in the Santa Fe Summit community northeast of the city. He was 95.

Local Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed just after midnight that the couple had died. He stated that there was no immediate indication of foul play but did not provide a cause of death or specify when they might have passed away.

The star was born Eugene Allen Hackman on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California. But ahead of his success the actor's early years were marked by struggles and a rebellious streak.

He dropped out of high school following a fight with his basketball coach. Not long afterwards he lied about his age to enlist in the US Marine Corps at just 16.

Serving as a field radio operator, Hackman was stationed in China until 1949, when the Communist Revolution occurred. He was then transferred to Hawaii and later Japan before being honourably discharged in 1951.

He once said of his days in the US Army: "I went in the Marines when I was 16. I spent four and a half years in the Marines and then came right to New York to be an actor. And then, seven years later, I got my first job.

"I have trouble with direction because I have trouble with authority. I was not a good Marine."

After his military service, Hackman drifted through a series of jobs. He worked as a dishwasher, a truck driver, and even a janitor - before deciding to pursue acting.

He once said: "The worst job I ever had was working nights in the Chrysler Building. I was part of a team of about five guys, and we polished the leather furniture."

His determination led him to train at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he famously befriended fellow struggling actor Dustin Hoffman.
The two were once voted "least likely to succeed" by their classmates.

Hackman's early career consisted of minor roles and television appearances, but his breakthrough came in 1967 when he played Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde. This earned him his first Academy Award nomination.

But it was his portrayal of Popeye Doyle, the relentless and morally ambiguous detective in The French Connection in 1971, that secured his place among Hollywood's elite. His performance earned him his first Oscar for Best Actor, with his portrayal of the gruff, obsessive cop becoming one of the most imitated in film history.

Hackman's career was defined by his ability to take on complex, multifaceted roles that blurred the lines between heroism and villainy. In The Conversation three years later, he delivered a subtle yet haunting performance as a paranoid surveillance expert.

Later, his role as the nefarious Lex Luthor in Superman in 1978 and its sequels revealed his remarkable talent for balancing intensity with charisma, offering a villainous yet oddly charming antagonist. His impressive body of work continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with standout performances in Mississippi Burning in 1988, where he played an uncompromising FBI agent, earning his second Academy Award nomination.

The western Unforgiven followed four years later, where his portrayal of the ruthless sheriff earned him his second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Hackman was a master at playing men who were both deeply flawed and utterly fascinating - his characters resonated with audiences and critics alike.

Beyond his on-screen persona, Hackman was known for his fiercely private nature. He once said: "I was trained to be an actor, not a star. I was trained to play roles, not to deal with fame and agents and lawyers and the press."

He was married to his first wife, Faye Maltese, for 30 years, and the couple had three children together. Following their divorce in 1986, he found love again with Arakawa, who he said was the love of his life.

The couple married in 1991 and remained together for over three decades. Arakawa and Hackman shared a deep bond, with friends noting that she brought a sense of calm and stability to his life, a grounding force after years of navigating Hollywood's relentless pace.

Together, they embraced a quieter life in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they could escape the glare of the spotlight. Hackman turned his attention to writing and publishing several historical fiction novels.

"I write in the morning from about eight till noon and sometimes again a bit in the afternoon," he said of his new career. "In the morning I start off by going over what I had done the previous day, which my wife has happily typed up for me."

He also indulged his passion for architecture and art, often spending hours refining the design of their home or visiting art galleries.
While his career may have kept him in the public eye, Hackman always valued his privacy.

He and Arakawa enjoyed a peaceful life together, far from the chaos of the entertainment industry. Friends recall Hackman as a deeply thoughtful man who took great pleasure in simple things, like cooking meals at home, cycling through the quiet streets of Santa Fe, and reading books in the company of his wife.

"My wife and I take what we call our Friday comedy day off," he said. "We watch standup comics on TV. The raunchier, the better. We love Eddie Izzard."

Hackman remained a subject of admiration and intrigue despite his retirement from acting. In a rare 2011 interview, he expressed no regrets about leaving Hollywood behind, stating, "The business didn't need me anymore, and I didn't really need the business."

His absence from the silver screen only added to his mystique. While many fans and directors hoped for his return, Hackman was content with his life outside the industry.

He was often spotted cycling through Santa Fe or working on his novels, finding peace in the quiet rhythms of everyday life. Hackman's decision to step away from the spotlight was emblematic of his personality.

Unlike many of his peers, he never sought fame or the trappings of celebrity. His focus was always on his craft, his family, and his own happiness.

The actor's refusal to give interviews or attend public events only heightened his allure, making him one of the most enigmatic figures in Hollywood history. His portrayals of flawed yet fascinating men resonated deeply with audiences, making him one of the most enduring talents of his generation.

Hackman's ability to make his characters feel real and human, no matter how extreme or villainous, set him apart from many of his contemporaries. He once said, "Dysfunctional families have sired a number of pretty good actors."

The statement reflected the depth he brought to his roles, often drawing from his tumultuous childhood and early struggles. Hackman's upbringing in a working-class family and his rebellious nature gave him a lot of emotional experiences to draw from, which he used to great effect in his performances.

Though his passing marks the end of an era, Hackman's legacy will continue through the films he left behind.