Authorities reveal the cause of Hollywood icon Gene Hackman’s death

The world was left in shock after the passing of Hollywood icon Gene Hackman, with mystery surrounding the circumstances of his death. Now, authorities have revealed the cause.

Hackman sadly passed away at the age of 95, his death marking the end of an era for the entertainment world.

Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa 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.

Authorities have since disclosed that Hackman had been in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s and died from heart disease, among other factors, likely days after his wife succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to autopsy results.

Hantavirus is a rare and potentially fatal disease in the United States, primarily spread by the droppings and urine of deer mice. It can be transmitted through the air, particularly when cleaning areas where mice have been present. Early symptoms resemble the flu, but the virus can lead to heart and lung failure, with a fatality rate of 38 to 50 percent.

Hackman’s wife is believed to have passed away around February 11, based on the date of her last email, while Hackman died on February 18, determined from his pacemaker data.

During a press conference at the Santa Fe Sherriff’s office on Friday, March 7 a reporter asked Sheriff Adan Mendoza if Hackman’s Alzheimer’s had hindered him from perceiving his wife’s death.

“I would assume that is the case,” Mendoza told reporters.

“He was in an advanced state of Alzheimer’s and it is quite possible he was not aware she was deceased,” Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, told reporters.

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.