Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in New Mexico on Wednesday, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said.
Hackman was 95. Arakawa, a classical pianist, was 64. Their bodies were not formally identified until early Thursday, NBC News reported. Their dog was also found deceased in the home.
Denise Womack-Avila, a Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, told CNN that deputies were responding to a request for a welfare check at the couple’s home on Wednesday afternoon when they found their bodies.
“Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time however exact cause of death has not been determined,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement, adding that “an active and ongoing investigation” is underway.
Hackman, who starred in acclaimed films including “The French Connection,” “The Birdcage” and “The Royal Tenenbaums,” was an award-winning actor whose career spanned decades. He was a recipient of two Academy Awards and four Golden Globes.
Hackman retired from acting in 2004.
The actor met Arakawa in the 1980s when she worked part-time at a California fitness center, according to The New York Times. The couple lived in Santa Fe.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
