Actor Clint Eastwood paid tribute to his friend and co-star Gene Hackman in an emotional statement to Variety on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, after the Oscar-winning actor was found dead at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa.
“There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note,” Eastwood said. He added that Hackman was a “dear friend” whom he would “miss very much.”
The two Hollywood legends collaborated on the 1992 Western “Unforgiven,” which was directed by Eastwood and earned Hackman his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the ruthless Sheriff “Little Bill” Daggett. In his Oscar acceptance speech, Hackman thanked Eastwood, who he said “made it all possible” for him and the rest of the cast.
Morgan Freeman, who also starred in “Unforgiven,” joined the chorus of tributes, sharing his memories of working with Hackman on Instagram and calling it one of the “personal highlights” of his career. “He was incredibly gifted,” Freeman wrote in his tribute.
The bodies of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were discovered on February 26, 2025, by a maintenance worker who contacted emergency services after making the grim discovery. Hackman was found in a side room near the kitchen, while Arakawa was located in a bathroom. According to investigative reports, Arakawa’s body showed signs of decomposition and “mummification” in the hands and feet, suggesting the couple had been deceased for some time.
Santa Fe County Sheriff’s officials noted several concerning elements at the scene that prompted a deeper investigation, including an unsecured front door left open, prescription pills scattered on the floor, and the couple being found in separate rooms. One of the couple’s dogs was also found dead, while another was found alive and running loose in the house.
“The circumstances are suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,” the sheriff’s office stated in court documents. However, authorities have not indicated they suspect foul play in the deaths. A knocked-over heater was also found at the scene.
Hackman’s daughter reportedly suggested carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause, though toxicology results are still pending. She told investigators that her father had been in good physical condition and that his wife Betsy had taken very good care of him. Authorities have requested carbon monoxide testing as part of their investigation, and the detective noted that Hackman may have suffered a sudden fall, as he was found near his cane.
Born in San Bernardino, California. in 1930, Hackman overcame a troubled childhood to become one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. After his alcoholic father abandoned the family when Hackman was 13, he eventually joined the Marine Corps before pursuing acting. Despite initial setbacks, including being voted “least likely to succeed” by classmates at the Pasadena Playhouse, Hackman went on to build an extraordinary career spanning over five decades.
Known for his versatility, Hackman portrayed a wide range of characters throughout his career, from the corrupt cop Popeye Doyle in “The French Connection” (which earned him his first Oscar in 1971) to the supervillain Lex Luthor in the “Superman” films and the patriarch Royal Tenenbaum in “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Critics often praised his ability to embody ordinary men under extreme pressure, bringing depth and complexity to morally ambiguous roles.
“He was a versatile performer who brought emotional depth to the most complex characters,” Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in “The Conversation,” said in his tribute.
Despite his regular-guy appearance, Hackman was known for his quick temper and demanding attitude on set, but his performances were widely acclaimed. He worked prolifically throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, sometimes taking roles for financial reasons to support what he acknowledged was an expensive lifestyle.
Hackman retired from acting in 2004 after a career comprising more than 80 films. In his later years, he devoted himself to writing historical fiction novels, painting, stunt flying, and enjoying a quieter life in Santa Fe with Arakawa, whom he married in 1991 after divorcing his first wife, Faye Maltese, with whom he had three children.
The couple had maintained a private lifestyle since Hackman’s retirement, with their last reported public appearance together in March 2024. Hackman’s children released a statement expressing their grief, saying they were “devastated” by the loss and that their father would be “missed by millions.”
PETA also acknowledged Hackman’s advocacy for animals, highlighting his efforts to oppose the use of chimpanzees in experiments and his rescue of stray dogs on film sets.
Throughout his illustrious career, Hackman accumulated an impressive collection of awards, including two Oscars, two BAFTAs, four Golden Globes, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. His impact on American cinema remains profound, with critics noting his unique ability to bring a sense of “normality” and powerful presence to his roles.
