The Oscar-winning actor and his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, were discovered at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Gene Hackman, the celebrated actor known for his commanding screen presence and two Academy Award wins, has been found dead alongside his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, and their dog at their home on Thursday.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies discovered the 95-year-old actor and his 64-year-old wife at around 1:45 PM local time. Authorities stated that no foul play is suspected at this stage, though the exact cause of death remains under investigation.

Hackman, a former Marine with a distinctive raspy voice, built a prolific career spanning over six decades. Starring in more than 80 films, as well as television and theatre productions, he first gained widespread recognition in 1967 with Bonnie and Clyde, earning his first Oscar nomination. He later secured a Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of tough detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection (1971) and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as a ruthless sheriff in Unforgiven (1992).

Renowned for his versatility, Hackman delivered compelling performances across various genres. He portrayed an FBI agent in Mississippi Burning (1988), a dedicated high school basketball coach in Hoosiers (1986), and the iconic villain Lex Luthor in the Superman films. A method actor, he channelled personal experiences to bring depth and authenticity to his roles.

Retiring from acting in his 70s, Hackman cited a lack of appealing roles. His final significant performance came in the 2004 comedy Welcome to Mooseport.

Residing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he was married twice and had three children—Christopher, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne—from his first marriage to Faye Maltese, who passed away in 2017. Hackman married Arakawa in 1991, and they remained together until their passing.