Hollywood Legend Gene Hackman Passes Away Days After Wife’s Tragic Death from Rare Virus

The world has lost a Hollywood icon. Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, known for his unforgettable roles in classics like The French Connection and Unforgiven, has died at the age of 95. His passing comes just days after the tragic death of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who succumbed to a rare virus.

By Christopher Michael Little, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10689828

According to the New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office, Hackman died of natural causes at his Santa Fe home. The primary cause was coronary artery disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, passed away approximately a week earlier in the same house from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory illness caused by exposure to infected rodents. Authorities confirmed both deaths as natural.

The couple, married for over 30 years, were found in their home after a welfare check by neighborhood security. Their bodies were discovered in advanced stages of decomposition. Hackman was found in a side room near the kitchen, with a walking cane and sunglasses nearby, while Arakawa was found in the bathroom with scattered pills close to her.

Dr. Heather Jarrell of the New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office stated that it was “reasonable to conclude” Hackman died on February 18, about a week after Arakawa, whose last known activities were on February 11. Given Hackman’s advanced Alzheimer’s, Dr. Jarrell noted it was “quite possible” he was unaware of his wife’s passing.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is an extremely rare but serious illness transmitted through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Dr. Erin Phipps, New Mexico’s Public Health Veterinarian, emphasized that only 136 cases have been reported in the state over the past 50 years, with a fatality rate of 42%. Investigators found evidence of rodent activity on the property but deemed the risk inside the main house as “low.”

The couple’s home, valued at $3.8 million, showed no signs of forced entry or foul play. Tests for carbon monoxide poisoning and gas leaks were negative. Among the items found in the home were medications for thyroid and blood pressure treatment, as well as pain relievers. Authorities did not disclose who the medications were prescribed to, citing privacy laws.

Tragically, one of the couple’s three dogs was also found dead inside a crate near Arakawa. The other two dogs were alive, and officials confirmed that dogs cannot contract hantavirus.

Gene Hackman’s illustrious career spanned decades, earning him two Academy Awards: Best Actor for The French Connection (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992). He was also nominated for his roles in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning(1988). Hackman’s versatility shone through in over 100 roles, including his iconic portrayal of Lex Luthor in the Superman films and memorable performances alongside Hollywood legends like Al Pacino and Gene Wilder.

After retiring from acting in 2004, Hackman chose a quieter life in New Mexico with Arakawa, whom he met in the mid-1980s when she worked part-time at a California gym. He is survived by three adult children from a previous marriage.

The passing of Gene Hackman marks the end of an era in Hollywood. His legacy as one of cinema’s greatest actors will endure, even as the circumstances of his and his wife’s deaths leave a poignant reminder of life’s fragility.