RIP Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa

A powerful on screen presence. Loved his performance as an FBI agent in Mississippi Burning and as Superman villain Lex Luthor. Have never seen French Connection - watching that will now be on my to do list.

RIP a true film legend.

edit: apologies for not saying so before - RIP Betsy and their pet dog aswell.

From Military ('Crimsom Tides') to Cop (French Connection) & Westerns - Gene brought his characters to life.

The deaths are now being called 'suspicious'.
There wasn't a smell of gas in the premises.
Gene Hackman was found in one room and Betsy Arakawa & the dead dog in the bathroom

And an open bottle of tables were found open near Betsy.
There was also another two dogs loose on the grounds.

The authorities are not ruling out foul play. Test on the gas supply and post mortems will take place over the next couple of days.

(27-02-2025 14:58 )Skyline Wrote:  he could play both the good guy and the bad guy - absolutely brilliant actor.

He could also turn his hand to comedy - he was the blind man in Young Frankenstein.
Tragic loss of a huge talent.
RIP.

BBC News: Gene Hackman and wife both died of natural causes but several days apart

So sad though makes me angry why would family not check up on them esp knowing that he had dementia ? even if it was just calls

I find it hard to agree that Gene Hackman died from heart disease.

Said Alzheimers was a contributing factor so prob means she died and he didnt eat drink or have any medication which is what prob caused it. he had a pacemaker fitted so he would have prob been on some medication

(08-03-2025 09:31 )Charlemagne Wrote:  I find it hard to agree that Gene Hackman died from heart disease.

He was diagnosed years ago. It's one of the reasons he decided to retire.

(08-03-2025 09:31 )Charlemagne Wrote:  I find it hard to agree that Gene Hackman died from heart disease.

People with heart disease often die from heart disease.

His wife was also his carer, so without her he was unlikely to last very long.