Two-time Oscar winner Jean Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were found dead at their Santa Fe home on February 26th.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed his death in an interview shortly after midnight Wednesday, saying there were no immediate signs of a foul play. Local news Outlet Santa Fe New Mexico. Police have not shown when the couple died and no information has been provided surrounding the situation behind the tragedy. Hackman was 95 years old and his wife was 63 years old. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Jan. 19: Actor Jean Hackman will pos backstage for the Cecil B. DeMille Awards at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, held in Beverly Hills, CA on January 19, 2003. (Photo: Robert Mora/Getty Images)
Sheriff’s deputies were called Wednesday afternoon in the gated community on Hyde Park Road to investigate the deaths of two elderly people and a dog at their home on the Old Sunset Trail. It was initially unclear whether they were responding to death or whether they were conducting welfare checks.
“I want to assure the community and the neighbours that there is no immediate danger to anyone,” Mendoza told Santa Fe New Mexican.
“All I can say is we are in the middle of an investigation into a preliminary death awaiting approval for a search warrant,” the sheriff said Wednesday evening before they actively identified the couple. Hackman and Arakawa married in 1991 and have lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s.
Jean Hackman arrives at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California on January 19, 2003.
Hackman is one of Hollywood’s most respected and honorable stars. The beloved actor demonstrated the diversity of his talents by playing villains, heroes and anti-heroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s to his early 2000s retirement.
Hackman was the first to mark the entertainment industry by playing Warren Beatty’s brother in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. He was nominated for the second-highest actor Oscar for his role in “I Never Sing for My Father,” and won the victory by bringing home the best actor of the Oscar for his lead role in “The French Connection.”
Police officer Jean Hackman is shown in the film, still walking towards camera. He holds a gun in his hand along with a police officer and a police vehicle in the background. It was the French connection that Jean Hackman won “Best Actor.” The film itself won the “Best Picture.” Getty Images
His long resume included his iconic roles as Lex Luthor in The Poseidon Adventure, The Conversation, Crimson Tide, and the 1978 film Superman.
Other notable credits include “ANTZ,” “The Birdcage,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” and “Relentless” by Clint Eastwood, with Hackman taking home his second Oscar in 1993.
Hackman left Hollywood after appearing in the 2004 comedy “Welcome to Mooseport.”
Los Angeles, CA – 1996: Actor Jean Hackman poses for a portrait from around 1996 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo: Ron Davis/Getty Images)
His illustrious career included numerous accolades, including two Academy Award winners.
Hackman became an active painter during his retirement. He worked as a voiceover, wrote books and told two documentary films. (Related: Chris Jasper of Isley Brothers Dead, 73)
His death sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Social media erupted in honor of the iconic star and the long legacy he left behind by fans, loved ones and fellow stars.
