Reclusive Gene Hackman out with his wife Betsy in Santa Fe, New Mexico - over a year before their shock death(Image: Backgrid)

Gene Hackman seen with wife Betsy Arakawa in one of last public outings before he died

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman was last seen with his wife Betsy, 63, grabbing coffee in New Mexico before the couple's shocking deaths that have been announced today

by · The Mirror

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman has died aged 95 alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog in their Santa Fe Summit home, after last being publicly spotted in New Mexico last year.

The couple were found dead in their home alongside their dog, however no foul play is thought to happened in relation to their passing, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Sheriff Mendoza confirmed that there was no indication of foul play in an interview with the local publication, but they are yet to provide a cause or confirmation of their deaths.

The actor, who was best known for his roles in films The French Connection, Unforgiven and Bonnie and Clyde, became reclusive after retiring from acting in 2004 and was last spotted in March last year. The frail Hollywood legend was seen holding onto his wife Betsy as they grabbed a bite to eat at Pappadeaux's in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Read updates on the tragic death of Gene Hackman and wife Besty Arakwa in the Mirror's live blog HERE.

Gene Hackman was last seen on a rare outing in March 2024( Image: Backgrid)
Gene was spotted out in public with his wife Betsy for the first time in decades as he grabbed a coffee and apple pie( Image: Backgrid)

It marked the first time that Gene had been seen in public with his wife in two decades. He was seen leaving a 7-Eleven in a pair of cargo pants, a plait shirt and a grey zip-up vest with black trainers on his feet. He carried an apple pie in one hand and a coffee in the other. Earlier in the month, Gene had been spotted on a solo outing near his home in Santa Fe as he worked in his garden.

Before retiring from acting in 2004, Gene had a highly-acclaimed career spanning over six decades. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1972 for his role in The French Connection, and later won another for his performance in Unforgiven. He also picked up two BAFTA Film Awards for the same roles.

He began his film career in 1956, joining the Pasadena Playhouse alongside fellow Hollywood legend Dustin Hoffman. He broke into the TV industry just seven years later after landing small roles on TV and eventually winning an Oscar nomination for his performance in I Never Sang For My Father in 1970.

Gene Hackman out with his wife Betsy in Santa Fe, New Mexico - over a year before their shock death( Image: Backgrid)

Gene's last film role was in 2004 political satire Welcome to Mooseport alongside Ray Romano, having won a Golden Globes Award for his role as Royal O'Reilly Tenenbaum in 2001 Wes Anderson film The Royal Tenenbaums.

While Gene was last seen in front of the camera 20 years ago, he continued as a narrator on a number of television programmes, including 2016's The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima and 2017's We, the Marines. He also appeared as himself in 2008 food reality show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network.

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