Latest news with #WelcometoMooseport
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman Signed His Will 20 Years Ago, Making It 'Exponentially Harder' to Contest: Legal Expert
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy signed their wills in June 2005, 20 years before they were both found dead in their home on Feb. 26 A legal expert tells PEOPLE it is impossible to know who is named in Gene's trust given that Betsy, whom he named successor trustee, died days before him Further details behind Gene's trust have not been made public, though his will came to light March 14 Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy signed their wills in 2005, and any potential challenge to the contents of their wills may be hard to dispute, a legal expert explains. David Esquibias, a legal expert who is not affiliated with this matter, tells PEOPLE the fact that Gene and Betsy — who were both found dead in their home on Feb. 26 — signed their wills 20 years ago could make a contest to the will more unlikely. "In this situation, Gene Hackman and his wife did not sign their will and trust in 2025 or 2024," he says. "But, had that been the case, I think there was more likelihood that there's gonna be a contest. But if you look at the dates of the will, they're 2005." Just one year after Hackman made his final movie Welcome to Mooseport, the actor "was younger and more virile" and "presumably had his faculties," he adds. He adds, "Contesting a 20-year-old document is exponentially harder than contesting a deathbed-signed document." Gene, who died at 95, and Betsy, who died at 65, named each other as the personal representatives of each others' estates when they signed their wills in June 2005. Betsy was also named the successor trustee of the Gene Hackman Living Trust, but given Gene and Betsy's deaths, Esquibias says it is impossible to say who the beneficiaries of Gene's trust are because that information has not been made public. Related: Gene Hackman's Estate Seeking to Block Release of Police Bodycam Footage and Photos After Actor and His Wife Betsy's Deaths "In this case, we don't see who the beneficiaries are of the Gene Hackman trust because the Gene Hackman trust hasn't been either publicly released or it's not part of the probate proceeding. Typically, though, the probate proceeding, at least in California, the trust is usually included." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Whether information regarding Gene's trust will be made public remains unclear, but without that information, it's impossible to know whether Gene's three adult children — Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58, whom he had with first wife Faye Maltese — are included, Esquibias says. TMZ reported March 14 that Christopher appeared to have hired trust and estate attorney Andrew M. Katzenstein. Esquibias says that hiring is "probably just routine, just, 'Hey, let's get some legal representation for some general advice.' " Katzenstein did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. "I don't think in this case it probably means it too much," he says. Related: Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Died 7 Days Apart. Their Shocking Causes of Death Revealed by Authorities Julia L. Peters, chief counsel at Avalon Trust Co., a Santa Fe investment firm, has been appointed as the personal representative of both Gene and Betsy's estate moving forward; the remainder of Betsy's estate is to go to her personal representative to hold in a charitable trust "to achieve purposes beneficial to the community, consistent with the charitable preferences and interests expressed or indicated by my spouse and me during our lifetimes," as Betsy wrote in her individual will. Additionally, Betsy's will states she may have made a statement or list separately from her will that indicates whom she would give her personal property to. Authorities revealed March 7 that their investigation found Betsy died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is caused by hantavirus, one full week before Gene, and that he was most likely alone in their home with his dead wife for days. Hackman died from a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure and advanced Alzheimer's disease, authorities said. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa's Causes of Death Revealed
Originally appeared on E! Online Authorities have answers on the shocking deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa. The couple died of natural causes at their New Mexico home last month, authorities shared in a March 7 press conference. Based on surveillance footage, Arakawa, 65, is believed to have died on Feb. 11. Her cause of death was ruled to be hantavirus pulmonary syndrome—a severe respiratory illness that is transmitted through rodent urine, droppings and saliva—per lab testing. As for Hackman, the two-time Oscar winner, 95, is believed to have died a week later, on Feb. 18 after his pacemaker recorded an "abnormal atrial fibrillation" or an abnormal heart rhythm, per authorities. His cause of death is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)—or hardening of the arteries—with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributing factor. The medical investigator shared that Hackman was in an "advanced state" of Alzheimer's—a neurodegenerative brain disorder—and "it's quite possible that he was not aware that [Arakawa] was deceased." There was no food in his stomach at his time of death. Hackman and Arakawa, a classical pianist, married in 1991, and he retired from acting in the early aughts. The actor, whose last role was in the 2004 film Welcome to Mooseport, is survived by his children with late ex-wife Faye Maltese—Christopher Allen Hackman, 65, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, 65, and Leslie Anne Allen, 58. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy," the actor's daughters and granddaughter Annie wrote in a statement shared with E! News. "He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss." Look back at Hackman's life in photos... More from E! Online Gene Hackman's Wife Betsy Arakawa Died One Week Before Him Céline Dion's 14-Year-Old Twin Sons Look Grown Up in Rare Appearance The Summer I Turned Pretty's Final Season Premiere Date Revealed Their dog is still being tested to determine the cause of death, though authorities clarified that dogs cannot contract hantavirus. New Mexico County Sheriff's Office deputies had found Hackman, Arakawa and one of their three dogs deceased inside the couple's Santa Fe home Feb. 26 after a neighbor called 911, requesting a welfare check, authorities said. And while foul play was initially not suspected as a factor in their deaths, an official later stated in a search warrant affidavit, obtained by NBC News, that the circumstances were "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation." Two maintenance workers told police they found the front door of the couple's home ajar and Hackman and his wife dead inside, the affidavit said, and that deputies "did not observe any signs of forced entry into the home." Hackman was found dead in a room believed to be a mudroom, the warrant states, with a deputy noting he believes the Superman star may have suddenly fallen. Arakawa was found on the floor of a bathroom, with a space heater near her head and a bottle of prescription pills on the counter with "with pills scattered on the countertop." Both her and Hackman's bodies showed "obvious signs of death," while hers also showed signs of "body decomposition," the report said. In addition, a deceased German shepherd was found about 10 to 15 feet from the Royal Tenenbaums actor's wife, in a closet in the bathroom. Their two other dogs were found alive—one was in the bathroom with Arakawa and the other was outside the home. Police also noted in the warrant that the Santa Fe City Fire Department conducted testing to determine if there were signs of a possible carbon monoxide leak or poisoning and that none were found. Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both Hackman and Arakawa and turned out negative, according to the sheriff's department. Hackman and Arakawa, a classical pianist, married in 1991, and he retired from acting in the early aughts. The actor, whose last role was in the 2004 film Welcome to Mooseport, is survived by his children with late ex-wife Faye Maltese—Christopher Allen Hackman, 65, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, 65, and Leslie Anne Allen, 58. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy," the actor's daughters and granddaughter Annie wrote in a statement shared with E! News. "He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss." Look back at Hackman's life in photos... (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) 19651969197119741976198619881988198919911992199319931993199519961996200020012001200320032005 For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman Friends Made Telling Admission About His Wife
Friends of the late Hollywood star Gene Hackman made a telling admission on his status days following his death. Hackman, who starred in movies like "Hoosiers" and "Crimson Tide," was found dead in his New Mexico home last week. Hackman, who retired from acting after starring in "Welcome to Mooseport" in 2004, had moved to New Mexico after leaving Hollywood. He and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home. One of their dogs was also reportedly found dead in the home. Friends and family members initially suspected that carbon monoxide could be the cause of death, given that both Gene and his wife, Betsy, were found dead, along with their dog. However, authorities have ruled that out. Now, friends of the late Hollywood star have made a telling admission on his status in his final years. Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, who are family friends of the late actor and his wife, have said that Hackman's condition was "really slipping" in the "last couple of months." The couple shared those details in a People magazine interview published Friday. While Daniel and Barbara didn't give any official details on his health status, they said that the "Hoosiers" star was "essentially kind of homebound." Hackman had not been seen much in public in recent years. He last acted more than 20 years ago. Hackman and his wife spent most of their time in New Mexico. His wife was believed to be in perfect health. "She was still trying to keep him as active and engaged and healthy as possible," Daniel and Barbara's son, Aaron, told PEOPLE. Barbara Lenihan added: "Betsy was in perfect health (and) was so fit." Hackman's other friend, Stuart Ashman, told FOX News that COVID-19 was a major negative for the late actor. "After COVID, he was more reclusive, protecting his immune system and everything else," Ashman told Fox News. "I really am puzzled by the whole thing. You know, there's a lot of different reports coming out. It's kind of a tragic mystery in a way." Investigations into the death are ongoing.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman worried about caring for wife, family after heart concerns forced him to leave Hollywood stardom
Gene Hackman retired from his long and successful career over 20 years ago, partially forced by health concerns that had him worried for his wife and family. "I try to take care of myself. I don't have a lot of fears," Hackman told Larry King in 2004. "I have the normal fear of passing away – you know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age." He continued, "I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don't have a lot of fears." The Oscar-winner and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home Wednesday. Gene Hackman And Wife's Deaths Called 'Suspicious,' Bodies Showed Signs Of 'Mummification' Detectives believe that the circumstances surrounding the death of Hackman and his wife are suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation. Read On The Fox News App Hackman was 95 at the time of his death. The actor had a close call in 1990 with "severe angina" that required an angioplasty. He told King in 2004, "I didn't really know the extent of it at the time, and it happened very quickly. I was in the same day." WATCH: THE NEW MEXICO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DISCUSSING GENE HACKMAN'S DEATH IN A PRESS CONFERENCE Gene Hackman Mourned By Hollywood: Bill Murray Remembers 'Tough Nut' Actor Who Made Great Movies That same year, his final film, "Welcome to Mooseport," co-starring Ray Romano, was released, and Hackman retired from the screen. He had told King that he had nothing lined up, saying with a smile, "It's probably all over. This is it." In a 2008 interview with Reuters, Hackman later confirmed he was done acting. "I haven't held a press conference to announce retirement, but, yes, I'm not going to act any longer," he told the outlet. "I've been told not to say that over the last few years in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don't want to do it any longer." Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter He continued, "Yes, I do. I miss the actual acting part of it, as it's what I did for almost 60 years, and I really loved that. But the business for me is very stressful. The compromises that you have to make in films are just part of the beast, and it had gotten to a point where I just didn't feel like I wanted to do it anymore." A year later, he admitted to Empire magazine that his heart health, coupled with stress, was the deciding factor in his stepping away from the screen. "The straw that broke the camel's back was actually a stress test that I took in New York," the "Crimson Tide" star said. "The doctor advised me that my heart wasn't in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress." Hackman admitted in the past that he had financial woes that pushed him to pick some projects he might not have otherwise. Richard Simmons, Daniel Day-lewis, Jack Nicholson Among Stars Who Shun Spotlight One of those was "Hoosiers," the 1986 basketball drama lauded as one of the best sports movies ever made. "I took the film at a time that I was desperate for money," Hackman told GQ in 2011. "I took it for all the wrong reasons, and it turned out to be one of those films that stick around." "Hoosiers" coincided with Hackman's divorce from his first wife of thirty years, Faye Maltese, with whom he shared three children: Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. Hackman opened up about overextending some of his finances in a 1989 interview with The New York Times. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News After winning his Oscar for "The French Connection," Hackman temporarily retired in 1977, telling the outlet he had been taking roles he didn't think were all that great in films like "The Poseidon Adventure,'' ''Lucky Lady'' and ''March or Die." ''I did the poor-boy thing,'' he told the outlet at the time. ''I was very determined to be successful. I had a number of houses and cars and airplanes. It was like the empty barrel that doesn't have a bottom to it.'' He resumed acting in 1981 and admitted that his career could take its toll on his family. ''You become very selfish as an actor,'' Hackman told the New York Times. ''You spend so many years wanting desperately to be recognized as having the talent and then when you're starting to be offered these parts, it's very tough to turn anything down. Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time. The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me. I wasn't able to handle that.'' Gene Hackman Recalls 'The French Connection' 50 Years Later: 'A Moment In A Checkered Career Of Hits, Misses' Looking back on that low period, Hackman told Cigar Aficionado in 2000 that he was, at one point, millions of dollars in tax debt. "I used to have to borrow my daughter's car to go to interviews in Hollywood. Just a piece-of-s--t Toyota and I'd have to park it a couple of blocks [away] and walk so I wouldn't be seen as being that needy," he said. "Yeah, I was in trouble in those days. I was six, seven million bucks in debt; I had spent too much and I had a lot of tax shelters that didn't work. I owed the government four million dollars. I was just barely hanging in, taking pretty much anything that was offered to me and trying to make it work." He added, "From the 1970s to the mid-'80s after 'The French Connection,' I did four or five films in a row that were not successful commercially, but were thought of as being artistically OK. And then, when they didn't work, I thought, 'Well to hell with this, I'll just do whatever's given to me. I don't have to read the script, just tell me how much money they are gonna pay me and I'll do it.' So I thought I could get by, and I managed to fake it in many ways." Hackman's career rebounded in the late 1980s with hits and critically acclaimed films, like 1988's "Mississippi Burning," which earned him his second Oscar nomination for best actor, and later work like Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven," for which he took home the best actor award in 1993. WATCH: LOOKING BACK AT GENE HACKMAN'S LEGENDARY MOVIE CAREER In 2001, he earned critical acclaim for his role in Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums," before officially winding down his acting career three years later. But Hackman remained active in other ways, both professionally and personally. The "Superman" star would dive and explore shipwrecks and coral reefs with Arakawa, according to a 2001 profile in The Los Angeles Times, and he was also a regular cyclist. In 2012, Hackman was injured when he was struck by a car while riding a bike in the Florida Keys. Hackman's rep at the time said the incident was minor, telling E! News, "Gene was airlifted (because he is on an island) to the hospital for routine tests. Everything is fine and Gene is on his way home now with a few bumps and bruises." 'Superman' Celebrates 45Th Anniversary: The Cast Then And Now The incident didn't diminish his interest in cycling. Six years later, an Instagram post from Santa Fe bike shop Broken Spoke showed the then 88-year-old purchasing an e-bike and posing with an employee. He also maintained creative interests, writing three historical fiction novels with Daniel Lenihan. In 2011, he released his first solo novel, an Old West story titled "Playback at Morning Peak," followed by another novel, "Pursuit," in 2013. Speaking to GQ about his legacy, Hackman said he wanted to be remembered "as a decent actor. As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion. I don't know, beyond that."Original article source: Gene Hackman worried about caring for wife, family after heart concerns forced him to leave Hollywood stardom
Fox News
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Gene Hackman worried about caring for wife, family after heart concerns forced him to leave Hollywood stardom
Gene Hackman retired from his long and successful career over 20 years ago, partially forced by health concerns that had him worried for his wife and family. "I try to take care of myself. I don't have a lot of fears," Hackman told Larry King in 2004. "I have the normal fear of passing away – you know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age." He continued, "I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don't have a lot of fears." The Oscar-winner and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home Wednesday. Detectives believe that the circumstances surrounding the death of Hackman and his wife are suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation. Hackman was 95 at the time of his death. The actor had a close call in 1990 with "severe angina" that required an angioplasty. He told King in 2004, "I didn't really know the extent of it at the time, and it happened very quickly. I was in the same day." WATCH: THE NEW MEXICO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DISCUSSING GENE HACKMAN'S DEATH IN A PRESS CONFERENCE That same year, his final film, "Welcome to Mooseport," co-starring Ray Romano, was released, and Hackman retired from the screen. He had told King that he had nothing lined up, saying with a smile, "It's probably all over. This is it." In a 2008 interview with Reuters, Hackman later confirmed he was done acting. "I haven't held a press conference to announce retirement, but, yes, I'm not going to act any longer," he told the outlet. "I've been told not to say that over the last few years in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don't want to do it any longer." He continued, "Yes, I do. I miss the actual acting part of it, as it's what I did for almost 60 years, and I really loved that. But the business for me is very stressful. The compromises that you have to make in films are just part of the beast, and it had gotten to a point where I just didn't feel like I wanted to do it anymore." A year later, he admitted to Empire magazine that his heart health, coupled with stress, was the deciding factor in his stepping away from the screen. "I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don't have a lot of fears." "The straw that broke the camel's back was actually a stress test that I took in New York," the "Crimson Tide" star said. "The doctor advised me that my heart wasn't in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress." Hackman admitted in the past that he had financial woes that pushed him to pick some projects he might not have otherwise. One of those was "Hoosiers," the 1986 basketball drama lauded as one of the best sports movies ever made. "I took the film at a time that I was desperate for money," Hackman told GQ in 2011. "I took it for all the wrong reasons, and it turned out to be one of those films that stick around." "Hoosiers" coincided with Hackman's divorce from his first wife of thirty years, Faye Maltese, with whom he shared three children: Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. Hackman opened up about overextending some of his finances in a 1989 interview with The New York Times. After winning his Oscar for "The French Connection," Hackman temporarily retired in 1977, telling the outlet he had been taking roles he didn't think were all that great in films like "The Poseidon Adventure,'' ''Lucky Lady'' and ''March or Die." ''I did the poor-boy thing,'' he told the outlet at the time. ''I was very determined to be successful. I had a number of houses and cars and airplanes. It was like the empty barrel that doesn't have a bottom to it.'' He resumed acting in 1981 and admitted that his career could take its toll on his family. ''You become very selfish as an actor,'' Hackman told the New York Times. ''You spend so many years wanting desperately to be recognized as having the talent and then when you're starting to be offered these parts, it's very tough to turn anything down. Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time. The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me. I wasn't able to handle that.'' Looking back on that low period, Hackman told Cigar Aficionado in 2000 that he was, at one point, millions of dollars in tax debt. "I used to have to borrow my daughter's car to go to interviews in Hollywood. Just a piece-of-s--t Toyota and I'd have to park it a couple of blocks [away] and walk so I wouldn't be seen as being that needy," he said. "Yeah, I was in trouble in those days. I was six, seven million bucks in debt; I had spent too much and I had a lot of tax shelters that didn't work. I owed the government four million dollars. I was just barely hanging in, taking pretty much anything that was offered to me and trying to make it work." He added, "From the 1970s to the mid-'80s after 'The French Connection,' I did four or five films in a row that were not successful commercially, but were thought of as being artistically OK. And then, when they didn't work, I thought, 'Well to hell with this, I'll just do whatever's given to me. I don't have to read the script, just tell me how much money they are gonna pay me and I'll do it.' So I thought I could get by, and I managed to fake it in many ways." Hackman's career rebounded in the late 1980s with hits and critically acclaimed films, like 1988's "Mississippi Burning," which earned him his second Oscar nomination for best actor, and later work like Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven," for which he took home the best actor award in 1993. WATCH: LOOKING BACK AT GENE HACKMAN'S LEGENDARY MOVIE CAREER In 2001, he earned critical acclaim for his role in Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums," before officially winding down his acting career three years later. But Hackman remained active in other ways, both professionally and personally. The "Superman" star would dive and explore shipwrecks and coral reefs with Arakawa, according to a 2001 profile in The Los Angeles Times, and he was also a regular cyclist. In 2012, Hackman was injured when he was struck by a car while riding a bike in the Florida Keys. Hackman's rep at the time said the incident was minor, telling E! News, "Gene was airlifted (because he is on an island) to the hospital for routine tests. Everything is fine and Gene is on his way home now with a few bumps and bruises." The incident didn't diminish his interest in cycling. Six years later, an Instagram post from Santa Fe bike shop Broken Spoke showed the then 88-year-old purchasing an e-bike and posing with an employee. He also maintained creative interests, writing three historical fiction novels with Daniel Lenihan. In 2011, he released his first solo novel, an Old West story titled "Playback at Morning Peak," followed by another novel, "Pursuit," in 2013. Speaking to GQ about his legacy, Hackman said he wanted to be remembered "as a decent actor. As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion. I don't know, beyond that."
