RIP: Gene Hackman, 95

[thewayne]

Wow. Now, 95 is an extremely respectable age, but this is a weird one, and I'm just going to quote the Rolling Stone article:

"The actor, his wife of 34 years, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Wednesday, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza. A cause of death was not immediately available, though authorities confirmed there was no indication of foul play.

So I'm guessing either suicide(s) or probably gas leak, the latter being the cause of death of Weird Al Yankovic's parents a few years ago. Pretty tragic, it happened while he was on tour - and he kept the tour going and completed it, but stopped all press interviews after the shows.

His career was just too long and storied to sum up. His first Oscar nomination was playing Clyde's older brother Buck in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), his first win was 1971's The French Connection. The Poseidon Adventure, Superman and Superman II as Lex Luthor, Reds, Mississippi Burning, Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, the list goes on. For awards: five Oscar nominations (two wins), three Golden Globes (as well as a Cecil B. DeMille Award), and two BAFTAs.

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/gene-hackman-obituary-1234810413/

Comments

[murakozi]

My first thought was something like a gas leak. I did wonder about suicide, but then, why the dog, too?

He was in so many great films as either a main or supporting actor. I still enjoy his cameo in Young Frankenstein, too.

[thewayne]

I'd completely forgotten about Young Frankenstein!  Yes, that was a brilliant small part.

[kitarella_imagines]

Hello. I am sorry to butt in but I saw your post on Latest Things.

What a shock about Gene Hackman, isn't it. I just wanted to say that to someone. I hope it was just a tragic accident, because usually 'found dead' is worse than an accident.

The next day after Michelle Trachtenberg dying as well, it's a double shock.

Sending best wishes to you.

[thewayne]

Thank you, and you're most welcome to come by!  Yes, losing both Hackman and Trachtenberg back to back like that, a bit shocking.  A poster said he'd read that she had just had an organ transplant, so it may have been a rejection issue that did her in.

[kitarella_imagines]

Thank you 😊

Yes, that poor girl...I read that about the organ transplant. Apparently her mum found her, I can't imagine the torment that poor woman must be going through.

Both deaths are so awful. I've stopped reading about Gene H because it's just sounding more and more sad.

[elayna]

I have to assume gas leak because how else can two people and a pet die without signs of trauma? I was thinking that I’m sorry he passed, but 95 is a good age, but now I’m even more sorry for the wife (I’m assuming younger) and the pet. And the kids, if they had any, losing both parents would be such a shock.

[white_aster]

I just randomly watched the Poseidon Adventure last week. Hackman happily seemed to be gnawing on all the scenery in that one. His part was a little heavy handedly the core of the story, but he did a great job with it.

[thewayne]

I saw that when it released, don't remember much about it.  Heck of a cast, as I recall.

[disneydream06]

The article I saw said the police said there was no apparently sign of a gas leak. :o
Hopefully it wasn't a murder/suicide kind of thing. :o
Hugs, Jon

[murakozi]

According to the sheriff's office, he was found in the mudroom and she was in a bathroom.

[disneydream06]

I just saw a headline this morning that said her body showed signs of mummification. :o :o :o
Definitely sounds suspicious. :o

[thewayne]

What I read today said that they had possibly been dead for two weeks, and the front door was ajar.  Also there were spilled prescription pills near her body, but they didn't say what kind.

[disneydream06]

I also read that his pacemaker stopped working Feb. 17th.
Not sure how that news came to light so quickly, but...

[thewayne]

Huh!  Probably an implanted defibrillator, but who knows.

[thewayne]

Yeah, I was reading more today.  Very peculiar scene.

[silveradept]

Suspicious deaths indeed. Hopefully it's tragic and somewhat accidental, rather than tragic and intentional on someone's part.

[kitarella_imagines]

Unrelated to Gene Hackman, but I wondered if you got to watch The Professionals yet? As well as me, my husband loves that show. It has something for everyone in, even little kids used to love it.

[thewayne]

No, haven't yet.  Perhaps tonight.  Weekends are always weird for me.

[kitarella_imagines]

Hope you enjoy it if you do! Something else to talk about with your wife if so!