Gene Hackman found dead at 95 in his Santa Fe home during wellness check
Five-time Oscar nominee's career spanned decades.
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Hollywood icon Gene Hackman has died, his body, along with that of his wife Betsy Arakawa, found in their New Mexico home. Police say that no foul play is suspected, and that there was no suicide note. One of the coupleâs dogs was also found dead, with two others alive. The bodies were discovered by police after neighbours called for a wellness check.
A five time Oscar nominee, the 95-year-old had a career that spanned decades, playing heros, antiheroes, and villians in films like Superman, The French Connection, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Quick and the Dead. Hackman won Oscars for his roles in The French Connection and The Unforgiven. Nominations came for roles in Bonnie and Clyde and Mississippi Burning.
Hackman stepped back from Hollywood two decades ago after appearing in his final film, Welcome to Mooseport starring Ray Romano. Perhaps the best way to explain his decision to step away at 75 is his quote âI 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.â
After retiring he remained active in the Santa Fe area, where he was often seen around town.
Given that the bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were found in separate rooms, early speculation is that the couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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