Gene Hackman’s residence in Santa Fe is currently the subject of a police search warrant request.
The just past midnight on Thursday. Authorities have indicated that while it remains an ongoing case, they suspect no foul play at this stage.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared with The Santa Fe New Mexican: “I want to assure the community and neighbourhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”
Hackman’s illustrious six-decade career included accolades such as two Oscars, a pair of BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globes and one SAG Award, not to mention the Silver Bear honour. Acknowledged for his commanding performances in classics like The French Connection, Unforgiven, I Never Sang for My Father, and Bonnie and Clyde.
Hackman won the Oscar for best actor in 1972 portraying Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection and another as best supporting actor in Clint Eastwoods 1992 Western, Unforgiven.
FILE – Actor Gene Hackman, winner of Best Supporting Actor at academy awards in March 1993. Hackman will turn 80 years on Jan. 30, 2010. (AP Photo, File) (Image: AP)
Gene played Lex Luthor in three Superman films (Image: AP)
From the officials at the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office in New Mexico comes a confirmation that “an active investigation” is in motion: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail. This is an active investigation however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”, reports .
In a tragic update, the Mirror’s live blog HERE details the saddening news of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s passing.
As the world learns of the devastating loss, tributes flood in, with Lorraine Kelly expressing her shock on Good Morning Britain: “That is a real shocker, I was just reading about what an amazing actor he is, when you think of the movies that he’s been in… French Connection, everybody remembers that! Wonderful, wonderful film! I had no idea he was 95! That’s really really sad,”.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found with their dog (Image: Getty Images)
George Takei, the iconic Star Trek actor, shared a heartfelt tribute, stating: “We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”
, famed journalist, commented on the sombre occasion, sharing: “What an incredibly sad end to a remarkable life. RIP.”
In a poignant gesture, Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright echoed the mourning with a retweeted announcement, adding: “The greatest..”
A passionate animal advocate, Gene shares his life in Santa Fe with his beloved German shepherds and his wife. His official author bio paints a picture of the retired actor’s love for his pets.
On January 30, Animal Rescue Inc, from where Gene and Betsy adopted one of their canines, penned a tribute on Facebook for his 94th birthday. They reminisced: “Happy 94th birthday to our most famous adopter Gene Hackman ! ! While filming The Replacements in Baltimore in 1999, two stray dogs wandered onto the movie set. Both dogs were transported to us via limousine and the Hackmans came up the following week and adopted one of them.#adoptdontshop”.