Los Angeles: Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead Wednesday at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, authorities said Thursday.
"We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail," said the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in a statement, adding that "This is an active investigation, however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor."
The bodies of Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, were each found lying on the floor in separate rooms of their Hyde Park-area home, and one of their three dogs was found dead in a closet, reported a local newspaper, the Santa Fe New Mexican, citing a search warrant affidavit submitted by Santa Fe County sheriff's deputies.
Investigators indicated both showed signs of having been dead for some time. Sheriff's deputies wrote there were no signs of either carbon monoxide poisoning or a gas leak at the home after testing by both firefighters and gas utility staff Wednesday, although the affidavit also suggests the possibility either happened, according to the report.
There are no immediate signs or indications of blunt force trauma, and the search warrant reportedly stated that "affiant believes that the circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation."
Hackman's career, which spanned over six decades, saw him deliver some of cinema's most memorable performances, earning him two Academy Awards, one for Best Actor in "The French Connection" (1971) and another for Best Supporting Actor in "Unforgiven" (1992).
His portrayal of 'Jimmy Popeye Doyle', a relentless detective in the "The French Connection", remains one of the most celebrated performances in film history. Equally unforgettable was his role as 'Little Bill Dagget', a ruthless sheriff in "Unforgiven", directed by Clint Eastwood, according to a report by BBC.
A prolific performer, he starred in over 100 films, including "Superman" (1978) as the iconic villain Lex Luthor, "The Conversation" (1974), "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001), "Runaway Jury" (2003) and "The Birdcage" (1996).
The news of Hackman's passing has sent ripples of grief through the entertainment industry, with tributes pouring in from colleagues and admirers alike.
Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in "The Conversation", mourned his loss, stating, "Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss and celebrate his existence and contribution."
Valerie Perrine, who featured alongside Hackman in Superman (1978) as his character's on-screen girlfriend Eve Teschmacher, described the late actor as "a genius" and one of the "greatest to grace the silver screen".
She posted on X: "His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex Till we meet again."
Star Trek actor George Takei posted that "we have lost one of the true giants of the screen".
"Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it," he wrote and continued, "He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That's how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever."
Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor also called Hackman a "genius" performer. "A true legend whose legacy will live on," he wrote.