Hollywood legend Gene Hackman (95) and his wife Betsy Arakawa (63) were found dead in their home in Santa Fe (New Mexico, US).
According to local authorities, there are no suspicions of foul play, although the cause of death is not yet known. The couples' dog was also found dead, according to American media.
Hackman is known for his roles in 'The French Connection' and 'Unforgiven'. He won an Oscar, Golden Globe, and Bafta for each.
He was nominated for an Oscar five times, including the nomination for his role as an FBI agent in the drama 'Mississippi Burning' (1989). One of his most famous comic roles was the villain Lex Luthor in three Superman films between 1978 and 1987.
Eugene Alden Hackman was born on 30 January 1930 in San Bernardino, California, and grew up in Illinois with his grandmother. Hackman left high school at the age of 16 and joined the marines. A motorbike accident in 1949 ended his military career.
After this, Hackman, who had already done radio work during his service, studied journalism at the University of Illinois. A year later, in 1950, he left for New York for further training and worked as a disc jockey for various radio stations.
In 1956 Hackman returned to California, took acting lessons, and had his first official experience as an actor at the Pasadena Playhouse. He made his film debut in Mad Dog Coll (1961). In Lilith (1964) he played a man in an unhappy marriage to the hero's ex-girlfriend, a role played by Warren Beatty.
In 2004, the actor announced his retirement. Since then he has not been seen on the silver screen. He has, however, written several historical books and has narrated documentaries.
