The two-time Oscar winner and author Gene Hackman, 95 years old, and his wife, the 63-year-old classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead on Wednesday afternoon local time. They were discovered at home in the community of Santa Fe Summit, northeast of the city of Santa Fe, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.
The local police confirmed shortly after midnight that the couple had died, along with their dog.
"Problem with direction"
Gene Hackman often played tough roles. BBC describes him as the actor "who had a truck driver's face, but became one of Hollywood's most profitable stars". As a young man, he was a soldier in the Marine Corps – but dismissed his military career with the words:
I have a problem with direction, because I have a problem with authorities. I wasn't a good Marine Corps soldier.
Hackman made his first film role in "Lilith", where Warren Beatty also participated. Beatty saw to it that he got the role as Buck Barrow in "Bonnie and Clyde" in 1967, a role Hackman was Oscar-nominated for.
The Swedish film critic Gunnar Rehlin remembers him for a couple of iconic roles:
The first and foremost thing you think of when Gene Hackman is mentioned is "French Connection" from 1971 and "The Unforgiven" from 1992. They are real classics that still hold, largely thanks to him, he says.
Wrote adventure novels
Gene Hackman, despite his tough-guy image, had no problem taking on more humorous roles in films like "Young Frankenstein" and the "Superman" films, where he played the supervillain Lex Luthor.
In 2004, he retired from Hollywood. In an interview, Hackman said it was on the advice of doctors, who meant that his heart shouldn't be subjected to stress. Instead, he devoted himself to fishing, painting, and writing adventure novels, including "Justice for None" and "Wake of the Perdido Star".
Gunnar Rehlin met Gene Hackman a couple of times at the Cannes Film Festival and remembers him as fun to talk to.
Unclear circumstances
He will be remembered as a great actor, perhaps primarily for the tougher roles. His exciting and charismatic appearance suited them very well.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths are unclear. The police came to the residence to investigate a suspected death, but it is not known whether the patrol had been alerted or went there for a routine check, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.
The police do not currently believe it is a crime, but say that "the investigation is active".
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were married for over 30 years.
Born in 1930 in San Bernardino, California.
As a young man, Hackman joined the Marine Corps before graduating in journalism and TV production at the University of Illinois.
He got his breakthrough in "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967).
Was known for roles in films like "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001), "Mississippi Burning" (1988), and "The Unforgiven" (1992).
For the latter, he was awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He had already won an Oscar, for Best Actor for "French Connection" from 1971.
