Gene Hackman's Daughter Speaks Out After Death of Actor, Wife and Dog
Originally appeared on E! Online
Gene Hackman's daughter Elizabeth Jean Hackman is reflecting on her dad's tragic death.
Hours after the Superman actor was found dead at 95 in his Santa Fe, New Mexico home alongside wife of more than 30 years , 64, and their dog, his daughter—whose mother is Faye Maltese—told TMZ that she believes carbon monoxide poisoning may have been to blame.
Shortly after the news broke, Santa Fe public information officer Denise Womack Avila shared that authorities were called to the couple's residence around 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 26 after a neighbor called requesting a welfare check. The former couple's bodies were identified the next day.
'Foul play is not suspected as a factor,' authorities confirmed in a statement to NBC News, 'however exact cause of death has not been determined.'
However, Sheriff Adan Mendoza did confirm to TMZ that the couple had been dead for 'at least a day,' and that two of the couple's other dogs had been found alive.
More from E! Online
Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy Arakawa and Dog Found Dead in Santa Fe Home
Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa's Deaths Deemed Suspicious by Police
Michelle Trachtenberg's Cause of Death Ruled as "Undetermined"
And in an affidavit obtained by NBC News Feb. 27, Sante Fe authorities deemed 'the circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.'
While the investigation is active and ongoing, many of the two-time Oscar winner's former collaborators and friends took to social media to express their grief. And among those was Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation.
'The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity,' Francis wrote Feb. 27 alongside a photo of him and Gene on Instagram. 'I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.'
Echoing this sentiment, paid tribute to both the French Connection star and the classical pianist with a few heartbreaking words.
'A very sad day for the cinema's family,' the Mask of Zorro star wrote on X (formally known as Twitter) Feb. 27. 'Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away. My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers. RIP.'
And Star Trek's George Takei, like many others, expressed that he will always remember Gene as a 'giant' in the film industry.
"Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,' George wrote on X Feb. 27. 'He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That's how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.'
To look back at Gene's life in photos, keep reading.
19651969197119741976198619881988198919911992199319931993199519961996200020012001200320032005
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Screen Geek
an hour ago
- Screen Geek
Report Claims How Much 'Superman' Must Make To Turn A Profit
The upcoming movie Superman has a lot of weight on its shoulders. In addition to having to make back its own budget and turn a profit for Warner Bros. Discovery, James Gunn's Superman has the honor of launching the DC Universe. Now a new report claims just how much Superman must make to turn a profit and boost the DCU going forward. The new live-action endeavor, which features actor David Corenswet as the titular superhero, also includes Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Milly Alcock as Supergirl. As mentioned, the film will fully introduce the DC Universe as a live-action film franchise, one that will use these cast members and various others to carry their films and shows forward. Of course, the DCU's future also depends on the financial success of the film, which is said to have a $225 million budget according to The Wrap. The outlet additionally spoke to a talent agent who offered their insights regarding what the film must make in order to turn a profit. With the $225 million budget in mind, this agent suggests that James Gunn's Superman will have to make as much as $700 million worldwide in order to be called a success by the studio. 'While release dates are important, I don't think the challenge is ' Jurassic World: Rebirth ' or any other film,' they shared. 'The challenge is almost entirely a question of if Superman resonates with today's audience. Did they successfully update an Eisenhower-era character so the 2025 Gen Z audience can identify with him?' 'The simple brand recognition of Superman will probably take them to or close to $500 million worldwide, but anything above that will be because the audience identifies with the title character,' the insider added. Additionally, another source claims $500 million could be enough to turn a profit, but Warner Bros. Discovery is hoping to make much, much more in an effort to rejuvenate the studio. While there are several DC Universe projects in the pipeline regardless of how Superman performs at the box office, the franchise's future could still be much shorter-lived if Superman fails. As such, we'll have to see how Superman plays out when it hits theaters on July 11, 2025 and whether or not it makes a profit. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates regarding this highly-anticipated blockbuster as we have them.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Aryna Sabalenka's Appearance in New Photos With Boyfriend is Turning Heads
Aryna Sabalenka's Appearance in New Photos With Boyfriend is Turning Heads originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Women's tennis World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is making sure she enjoys her time in Paris beyond just competing for another Grand Slam title at the French Open. Advertisement Prior to her quarterfinal match against Chinese sensation Qinwen Zheng, Sabalenka spent her day off with her entrepreneur boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis. Based on the photos the Belarusian star uploaded to Instagram on Monday, she and Frangulis visited the iconic Hermes boutique at 24 rue Faubourg Saint-Honore 24. It is where the popular rooftop garden in Paris is located, and Sabalenka took several photos from her trip to the iconic landmark. "An @hermes garden is the best garden," she wrote in the caption of her post. Aside from fans commenting on the several boxes of Hermes merchandise she bought, many also took notice of Sabalenka's appearance with her boyfriend. Advertisement The 28-year-old was wearing a simple red shirt paired with wide-leg denim pants, giving off a relaxed vibe. Her supporters also noted how happy she looked. "You are glowing girl," a commenter wrote. Another one said, "U look so cuteeeeee." A fan praised her color of choice for her outfit, noting, "red is ur collor!!" "Loveee this outfit," a fourth fan stated. "We love ur smile!!!!" a supporter added. A follower remarked, "Beautiful," while another social media user echoed a similar sentiment, saying, "You look super beautiful Aryna." Aryna Sabalenka reacts after missing a shot against Zheng Qinwen.© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Sure enough, it looked like the time she spent away from tennis helped Sabalenka, as she went on to beat Zheng in their quarterfinal showdown on Tuesday, 7-6(3), 6-3. Advertisement Sabalenka will face Iga Swiatek next at the French Open semifinals. Should she keep dominating, fans will probably see more of her off-court adventures in Paris in the next few days. Related: Aryna Sabalenka's Behavior After French Open Match is Turning Heads This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark, Lexie Hull's Priceless Exchange Before Chicago Sky Game
Caitlin Clark, Lexie Hull's Priceless Exchange Before Chicago Sky Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Indiana Fever are on their way to Chicago to play against the Chicago Sky on Saturday at the United Center. Advertisement On Friday evening, the Fever's official Instagram account shared a reel showing players walking to the team's coach bus while answering a fun question: which teammate would they want to sit next to for the three-hour road trip from Indianapolis to Chicago? The video ended with answers from guards Lexie Hull and Caitlin Clark, who walked to the bus together. "Obviously..." Clark said with a smile while putting her arm around Hull's shoulder. Hull laughed and smiled, then said "awwww" in response. "Easy answer," the Iowa alum added. "We're obviously about to go sit right next to each other." Hull commented on the reel minutes after it was posted, "bestie!!! @caitlinclark22," and Clark responded twenty minutes later with "@lexiehulll 🩷we actually love each other everyone." Though they often throw shade at each other on social media, such as the 23-year-old making fun of Hull's favorite weird food combo, it's all out of love. The duo have been close friends since Clark joined the Fever in 2024, and have a great chemistry and friendship on and off the court. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark talks with teammate Lexie Hull.© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Fever holds a 3–4 record and ranks third in the Eastern Conference. Despite early challenges such as Clark's quad strain and Sophie Cunningham's ankle injury, the team has shown resilience. So far during the 2025 WNBA season, veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell leads the offense with 17.4 points per game, while forward Aliyah Boston contributes significantly with 8.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Advertisement Hull and the Fever will be playing against the Sky at the United Center on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Related: Caitlin Clark Has Four Words for Lexie Hull's Weird Food Combo This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
