Authorities reveal Gene Hackman likely died nine days before his body was found

Authorities believe that late screen legend Gene Hackman may have died nine days before he and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home.

The Hollywood community and fans across the world were left in mourning following Hackman’s passing at 95, his death marking the end of an era for the entertainment world.

Hackman and his wife were found dead in their home in New Mexico in the US after Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a welfare check on Wednesday, February 26.

New details have emerged as authorities revealed that Hackman’s pacemaker last sent a signal on February 17, according to a pathologist. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared this information during a press conference.

“It is a good assumption that was his last day of life,” Mendoza told reporters.

Despite this update, the cause of death for both Hackman and Arakawa has not been determined. Mendoza also noted that tests for carbon monoxide poisoning came back negative, and foul play has been ruled out.

Born January 30, 1930, Hackman pursued acting after being discharged from the US Marine Corps, studying at the Pasadena Playhouse before moving to New York to try his luck in theatre and television. Hackman faced many struggles early in his career, working odd jobs to support himself while refining his craft.

His breakthrough came in 1967 with Bonnie and Clyde, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This success propelled him into a string of iconic roles throughout the 1970s, including his Oscar-winning performance as Detective “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection (1971).

Hackman’s ability to tackle diverse roles was further showcased in Scarecrow (1973), The Conversation (1974), and The Poseidon Adventure (1972), where he became known for his raw, compelling performances. His portrayal of the villain Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) also became iconic, adding a comedic flair to his broad range.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Hackman solidified his place as one of Hollywood’s most reliable leading men. He played the determined basketball coach in Hoosiers (1986), a role that became a beloved classic, and won his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the sadistic sheriff in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992). He also starred in films such as Mississippi Burning (1988), The Firm (1993), and Enemy of the State (1998), continuing to receive critical acclaim for his stellar performances.

Hackman’s final role came in Welcome to Mooseport (2004), after which he retired from acting.

Throughout his career, Hackman was recognised with numerous accolades, including the Golden Globe’s Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2003 for his extraordinary contribution to film.

In the wake of Hackman’s passing, fellow Hollywood heavyweights such as Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas were quick to pay tribute to the “incredibly gifted” actor.

-with Reuters.