On Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, Clint Eastwood, the renowned actor, released a heartfelt tribute to his co-star and friend, Gene Hackman, following Hackman’s death. Hackman, an Oscar-winning actor, was discovered dead in his Santa Fe, New Mexico, residence along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
Eastwood, in his statement to Variety, praised Hackman’s talent, referring to him as an “intense and instinctive” actor who never missed a beat. He expressed grief over the loss of his “dear friend.”
Eastwood and Hackman, two of Hollywood’s most iconic figures, teamed up in the 1992 Western film “Unforgiven.” Eastwood directed the film, which won Hackman his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the brutal Sheriff “Little Bill” Daggett. In his Oscar acceptance speech, Hackman thanked Eastwood for making the film possible.
Morgan Freeman, another star in “Unforgiven,” joined Eastwood in paying tribute to Hackman. He reminisced about working with Hackman on Instagram, referring to it as a “personal highlight” of his career. In his tribute, Freeman stated, “He was incredibly gifted.”
A maintenance worker discovered the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, on February 26, 2025. The worker alerted the authorities after finding Hackman in a side room near the kitchen and Arakawa in a bathroom. Investigative reports indicate Arakawa’s body showed signs of decomposition on her hands and feet, suggesting the couple had been dead for an extended period.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office noted several unusual circumstances at the scene, such as an unlocked front door, scattered prescription pills, and the couple being found in different rooms. One of the couple’s dogs was found dead, while two others were found alive and free-roaming in the house.
The sheriff’s office stated in court documents that “the circumstances are suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.” However, officials have not indicated that they suspect foul play. A tipped-over heater was also found at the scene.
Hackman’s daughter proposed carbon monoxide poisoning as a potential cause of death, and informed investigators that her father was in good health and that Arakawa took good care of him. Authorities suggested that Hackman might have fallen suddenly as his cane was found near him.
On February 28, the medical examiner ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning. It was announced that Hackman’s pacemaker ceased functioning on February 17, suggesting that was the day of his death.
Hackman, born in San Bernardino, California, in 1930, turned a troubled childhood into a successful acting career. After being abandoned by his alcoholic father at the age of 13, Hackman joined the Marine Corps before turning to acting. Despite initial setbacks, Hackman built an extraordinary career that spanned over five decades.
Hackman was lauded for his ability to portray a broad range of characters throughout his career. From corrupt cop Popeye Doyle in “The French Connection,” which earned him his first Oscar in 1971, to supervillain Lex Luthor in the “Superman” films and patriarch Royal Tenenbaum in “The Royal Tenenbaums,” Hackman was often praised for his ability to bring depth to morally ambiguous roles.
Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in “The Conversation,” described Hackman as “a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity,” in his tribute.
Though he had a regular-guy appearance, Hackman was known for his quick temper and high demands on set. He worked extensively throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Despite his fame, he sometimes accepted roles for monetary reasons to support what he admitted was a costly lifestyle.
In 2004, Hackman retired from acting after appearing in more than 80 films. In the years that followed, he focused on writing historical fiction novels, painting, stunt flying, and leading a quiet life in Santa Fe with Arakawa, whom he married in 1991 after his divorce from his first wife, Faye Maltese.
Since Hackman’s retirement, the couple led a private lifestyle, with their last public appearance together being reported in March 2024. Hackman’s children from Faye Maltese, Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth Hackman, released a statement expressing their devastation, stating that their father would be “missed by millions.”
PETA also recognized Hackman’s animal advocacy efforts, spotlighting his opposition to the use of chimpanzees in experiments and his rescue of stray dogs on film sets.
Throughout his illustrious career, Hackman accumulated an impressive list of awards, including two Oscars, two BAFTAs, four Golden Globes, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Critics have noted his unique ability to bring a sense of “normality” and compelling presence to his roles.
