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USA Today
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Gene Hackman was more than an actor: A look back at the 5 books he wrote
Gene Hackman was more than an actor: A look back at the 5 books he wrote Show Caption Hide Caption Oscar winner Gene Hackman dies at 95 Gene Hackman, the intense character actor who won two Oscars in a more than 60-year career, has died. Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman was known for his decades-long film career through "The French Connection," "Bonnie and Clyde," "Superman: The Movie" and more, but he had an impressive stint as an author, too. Hackman died Wednesday alongside his wife, the pianist Betsy Arakawa, and their dog at their home, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office told Reuters on Thursday. He was 95. While we look back on his most famous roles and collaborators, here's a glimpse at the lesser-known side of Hackman's career – his books. Gene Hackman dies: Oscar-winning actor, wife Betsy Arakawa found dead in their home Gene Hackman books include historical fiction, westerns Hackman authored and co-authored a total of five books, ranging from historical fiction novels to Old West epics. A Kirkus review of his first co-written novel, "Wake of the Perdido Star," said the story "delivers satisfying action and rousing derring-do." He co-authored three historical fiction novels with park ranger and archaeologist Daniel Lenihan, published between 1999 and 2008. Gene Hackman cause of death: Authorities don't suspect 'foul play' in actor, wife's death The first, "Wake of the Perdido Star," is a coming-of-age story of a young boy growing up on the high seas, borrowing from Lenihan's expertise as one of the nation's leading authorities on shipwrecks and diving. "Justice for None" centers on racial injustice and the treatment of Black men and military veterans in America. And in the Civil War-era "Escape from Andersonville," a Union captain is captured alongside his men, eventually breaking out but vowing to return to save his soldiers. Hackman also penned two solo novels, published in 2011 and 2013 by Simon & Schuster. The first, "Payback at Morning Peak," is a 19th-century Western novel about a teenager's search for justice and revenge after he finds his family murdered and their farm burned down. And "Pursuit," Hackman's final novel, is a police thriller following a by-the-book cop who discovers a disturbing personal connection in a cold case. Celebrity reactions: Francis Ford Coppola, George Takei, Josh Brolin and more pay tribute to Gene Hackman Gene Hackman books in order 'Wake of the Perdido Star' with Daniel Lenihan (1999) 'Justice for None' with Daniel Lenihan (2004) 'Escape from Andersonville' with Daniel Lenihan (2008) 'Payback at Morning Peak' (2011) 'Pursuit' (2013) Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@
The Independent
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Betsy Arakawa death: The classical pianist who was married to Gene Hackman since 1990
Fans were shocked when news broke that Gene Hackman had been found dead in his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico aged 95, alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their pet dog. No foul play is suspected but a cause of the couple's death is yet to be determined, with police set to hold a press conference when further details are known. Hackman and Arakawa had been married since 1991 and reportedly began dating in the mid-Eighties after The French Connection star separated from his first wife, Faye Maltese in 1986. The actor met Arakawa, who was reportedly born in Hawaii in the early Sixties, at a gym in California, where she was working part time while pursuing a career in classical music, per The New York Times. By 1990, Hackman and Arakawa were living together in Santa Fe. In the same year, the Oscar winner underwent angioplasty after suffering congestive heart failure, which convinced him to retire from acting. "I haven't held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I'm not going to act any longer," he told Reuters in 2008. "I really don't want to do it any longer." The Royal Tenenbaums star instead pivoted to writing, having published his first book, Wake of the Perdido Star, in 1999. Four other novels, including Payback at Morning Peak, followed. In 2014, Hackman told the podcast Writer's Bone that Arakawa helped refine his writing ability. 'If in fact, I have a style, it came from repeated edits, friends' suggestions, and my wife's unwavering specific read-throughs,' he said. Arakawa had a successful career in her own right and was trained as a classical pianist. Alongside her musical talents, Hackman's wife also helped design their Santa Fe home, which was featured in Architectural Digest in April 1990. While Hackman was busy filming, Arakawa procured furniture from boutiques around the world, including in New York, California and Germany. She would send him photos of each development, with Hackman determining the floor plan, paint colours and soft furnishings. Arakawa and Hackman opted for an open plan design using colonial New Mexico and Spanish Baroque styles. By the time the project was complete, the abandoned 1950s block building was 'light and soaring', having previously been described by the architect Stephen Samuelson as 'horrible'. Hackman's wife had no social media presence and never gave interviews. 'Where we live, in Santa Fe, you can lead your own life and not be bothered by the latest gossip,' the actor told the Irish Independent. However, the actor offered fans a slight glimpse into his home life in 2020 when he told Empire he and his wife regularly watched DVDs that Arakawa rented. 'We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce,' he said. 'Friday night is set aside for a Comedy Channel marathon, with particular attention paid to Eddie Izzard… The speed of thought is amazing.' Arakawa and Hackman were found dead at their home in Santa Fe alongside their pet dog. The couple was previously reported to own multiple German shepherds. While Hackman was filming The Replacements in Baltimore in 2000, two strays wandered onto the set. The actor took them to a local shelter, which named the dogs Gene and Keanu after his co-stars. The couple adopted the one named Gene, per The Baltimore Sun. 'We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday,' the Santa Fe New Mexican County Sheriff, Adan Mendoza said in a statement on Thursday. 'We do not believe foul play was a factor in their deaths; however, [the] exact cause of death has not been determined at this time.'
