Gene Hackman

18 Stories

Dead Rodents, Nests Found on Hackman's Property

Presence of live traps suggest an ongoing infestation linked to hantavirus

(Newser) - Dead rodents and rodent nests were discovered on the property where the actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died in February. Hackman, 95, died from heart disease and complications from Alzheimer's up to a week after his wife and caretaker, Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome,...

Rare Virus That Killed Hackman's Wife Kills 3 in Calif.

3 hantavirus deaths have been reported since February in Mammoth Lakes

(Newser) - Hantavirus, the rare virus that killed Gene Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa in February, is now being blamed for three deaths two states away from Hackman and Arakawa's New Mexico home. In Mammoth Lakes, California, a town in the Sierra Nevada mountains known for its ski resort, three people...

On Possible Last Day, Hackman's Wife Called Doctor

Betsy Arakawa never made it to the appointment she scheduled

(Newser) - Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa, reached out for medical assistance on what might have been the last day of her life. Initially believed to have died on the evening of Feb. 11 after returning home from running errands, Arakawa was alive on the morning of Feb. 12, as her...

Animal Control Report Settles Question on Hackman's Dog

Crated animal appeared to have died from starvation and dehydration

(Newser) - An examination of the dog found dead along with actor Gene Hackman and his wife in their Santa Fe home shows dehydration and starvation were likely what led to the animal's demise. A report obtained by the AP from the Santa Fe County animal control agency detailed partial mummification...

Hackman's Estate Doesn't Want Investigation Records Released

Estate especially seeks to shield sensitive images and videos from public

(Newser) - Highlighting the "exemplary private life" they lived for more than three decades in Santa Fe, known as a haven for celebrities, a representative for the estate of actor Gene Hackman is seeking to prevent the public release of autopsy and investigation records related to his and his wife Betsy...

The Last Days of Gene Hackman
The Last Days
of Gene Hackman
the rundown
Mar 9, 2025 9:02 AM CDT

The Last Days of Gene Hackman

Actor may not have been aware his wife had died in the same house

(Newser) - The investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa raise the troubling likelihood that the 95-year-old actor lived for a week in their Santa Fe home after Arakawa, 65, died suddenly. Because an autopsy revealed he had advanced Alzheimer's, authorities say it's possible he was...

Officials: Hackman, Wife Died of Natural Causes a Week Apart

(Newser) - Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died of natural causes a week apart, New Mexico authorities announced Friday. The two were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26. The state medical examiner's office said Arakawa died first, probably around Feb. 11, USA Today reports. The...

The Oscars' In Memoriam Had Some Notable Snubs

Michelle Trachtenberg, Shannen Doherty were among the exclusions

(Newser) - The Academy Awards were held just days after iconic actor Gene Hackman was found dead alongside his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, and Hackman was mourned on the red carpet as well as onstage. Morgan Freeman led a tribute to Hackman, saying, "He received two Oscars and more importantly...

Hackman Was Likely Dead a Week Before Being Found

The actor's pacemaker has helped investigators piece together a broad timeline

(Newser) - Authorities say they believe actor Gene Hackman and his wife probably died nine days before their bodies were found in their home near Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, reports the New York Times . Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza revealed in a news conference Friday that a pathologist determined...

Tests Show Carbon Monoxide Didn't Kill Hackman, Wife

Sheriff says he's 'pretty confident' no foul play was involved, but isn't ruling it out

(Newser) - New Mexico authorities investigating the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa said Friday afternoon that the couple's remains tested negative for carbon monoxide. The cause of death in the case is still unknown, said Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, the AP reports. The sheriff said he's...

Emotional 911 Call Revealed in Deaths of Gene Hackman, Wife

Maintenance worker can be heard repeating 'damn,' sniffling

(Newser) - Outlets including TMZ and Fox News have obtained audio of the emotional 911 call made by the unnamed maintenance worker who discovered the bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife , Betsy Arakawa, Wednesday at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The man tells the dispatcher that he can see...

Affidavit Describes Hackman Death Circumstances as 'Suspicious'

Actor, wife had been dead for 'quite a while' before maintenance workers found bodies

(Newser) - Gene Hackman and his wife had apparently been dead in their Santa Fe home for some time when their bodies were found by maintenance workers on Wednesday, according to a search warrant affidavit submitted by Santa Fe County sheriff's deputies. The affidavit obtained by the Santa Fe New Mexican...

Hackman, Wife Found in Separate Rooms
Hackman's Daughter
Has a Theory
Feb 27, 2025 11:16 AM CST

Hackman's Daughter Has a Theory

Family reportedly suspects carbon monoxide in death of actor, wife, dog

(Newser) - A daughter of actor Gene Hackman, who was found dead in his Santa Fe home on Wednesday alongside his pianist wife, suspects they were exposed to toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide, reports TMZ . The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office said there were no signs of foul play or...

What We Know About Death of Gene Hackman, Wife
What We Know About Death
of Gene Hackman, Wife
the rundown
Feb 27, 2025 6:36 AM CST

What We Know About Death of Gene Hackman, Wife

No cause of death yet, but police don't suspect foul play in Sante Fe, New Mexico

(Newser) - The investigation is underway into the death of acting great Gene Hackman , who was found in his home near Sante Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday at the age of 95. The bodies of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog also were found inside. Coverage:
  • Police say they do
...

Gene Hackman, Wife Found Dead at Home
Actor Gene Hackman, Wife
Found Dead at Home
OBITUARY
Feb 27, 2025 5:12 AM CST

Actor Gene Hackman, Wife Found Dead at Home

Oscar winner was 95 years old

(Newser) - Gene Hackman, the prolific Oscar-winning actor whose studied portraits ranged from reluctant heroes to conniving villains and made him one of the industry's most respected and honored performers, was found dead Wednesday afternoon along with his wife Betsy Arakawa at their home outside Santa Fe. Hackman was 95, Arakawa...

Gene Hackman Slaps Homeless Guy

But police determined it was self-defense

(Newser) - It’s not often you see Gene Hackman’s name in the headlines these days, but this incident definitely got it there: Police say the 82-year-old actor slapped a homeless man in downtown Santa Fe yesterday, the AP reports, citing the Albuquerque Journal. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the man,...

The Greatest Sports Movies Ever Made

(Newser) - After a "bloody battle royale," the sports staff of the New York Daily News has anointed the best sports films of all time. Among the contenders:
  • Raging Bull: Robert De Niro's knockout performance as boxer Jake LaMotta makes this one of the greatest movies of any kind ever
...

Best Sports Movie Pep Talks
 Best Sports Movie Pep Talks 
Jul 18, 2009 5:22 AM CDT

Best Sports Movie Pep Talks

When you're down, these clips can get you going

(Newser) - World got you down? Let one of these coaches buck you up: AskMen picks the best sports movie inspirational talks. The top five:
  1. Kurt Russell, Miracle: “If we played ‘em 10 times, they might win nine. But not this game.”
  2. Al Pacino, Any Given Sunday: “You
...

18 Stories
Most Read on Newser