Gene Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth Jean Hackman is reflecting on her dad’s tragic death.
Hours after the Superman actor was found dead at 95 in his Santa Fe, New Mexico home alongside wife of more than 30 years Betsy Arakawa, 65, and their dog, his daughter—whose mother is Faye Maltese—told TMZ that she believes carbon monoxide poisoning may have been to blame.
Shortly after the news broke, Santa Fe public information officer Denise Womack Avila shared that authorities were called to the couple’s residence around 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 26 after a neighbor called requesting a welfare check. The former couple’s bodies were identified the next day.
“Foul play is not suspected as a factor,” authorities confirmed in a statement to NBC News, “however exact cause of death has not been determined.”
However, Sheriff Adan Mendoza did confirm to TMZ that the couple had been dead for “at least a day,” and that two of the couple’s other dogs had been found alive.
And in an affidavit obtained by NBC News Feb. 27, Sante Fe authorities deemed “the circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”
While the investigation is active and ongoing, many of the two-time Oscar winner’s former collaborators and friends took to social media to express their grief. And among those was Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation.
“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity,” Francis wrote Feb. 27 alongside a photo of him and Gene on Instagram. “I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Echoing this sentiment, Antonia Banderas paid tribute to both the French Connection star and the classical pianist with a few heartbreaking words.
“A very sad day for the cinema’s family,” the Mask of Zorro star wrote on X (formally known as Twitter) Feb. 27. “Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away. My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers. RIP.”
And Star Trek’s George Takei, like many others, expressed that he will always remember Gene as a “giant” in the film industry.
"Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,” George wrote on X Feb. 27. “He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”
To see how more stars paid tribute to the legendary actor, keep reading.
Prince William & Kate Middleton
"So sad to hear the news of the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy," the couple wrote on their joint X account. "Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality."
Gwyneth Paltrow
The Royal Tennanbaums actress shared a photo of herself, Luke Wilson and Gene on the set of the Wes Anderson film alongside a broken heart emoji in a Feb. 27 Instagram post.
Tom Hanks
The Cast Away star also kept his tribute short and sweet, writing in a Feb. 27 Instagram post alongside an old photo of the star, “There has never been a ‘Gene Hackman Type.’ There has only been Gene Hackman.”
Elizabeth Hackman, Leslie Hackman & Annie Hackman
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy," the actor's daughters—whom he shares with ex Faye Maltese—and grandaughter 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."
Francis Ford Coppola
The Megalopolis director, who directed Gene in The Conversation, shared a touching tribute shortly after news of Gene’s death broke.
“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration,” the director wrote on Instagram Feb. 27, alongside a photo of the pair. “Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity, I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Viola Davis
The How To Get Away With Murder actress wrote a touching post directed at the actor himself.
“Loved you in everything!” Viola wrote in a Feb. 27 Instagram post. “The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven—tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”
Nathan Lane
“Getting to watch him up close it was easy to see why he was one of our greatest,” The Birdcage star told USA Today in a statement. "You could never catch him acting. Simple and true, thoughtful and soulful, with just a hint of danger. He was as brilliant in comedy as he was in drama and thankfully his film legacy will live on forever.”
He added, “It was a tremendous privilege to get to share the screen with him and remains one of my fondest memories. Rest in peace, Mr. Hackman.”
Hank Azaria
Comedian Hank Azaria, who also starred in The Birdcage alongside Gene, wrote a touching tribute.
“It was an honor and an education working with Gene Hackman,” he wrote on X, adding a few kind words from the film’s director, “Mike Nichols said of his genius character acting: ‘He always brought just enough of a different part of the real gene to each role he played.’ Sending all my love to his family & friends.”
Pedro Pascal
The Last of Us star proved Gene’s continued influence on Hollywood, sharing an old photo of the star on his Instagram Story, writing, “My actual favorite.”
Michael Rosenbaum
The Smallville actor, who shared the part of Lex Luthor with the Superman star, wrote to Instagram, “To my favorite Lex Luthor and one of the all time greatest actors ever! RIP.”
Antonio Banderas
The Mask of Zorro star wrote in a post on X, “A very sad day for the cinema’s family. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away. My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers.”
John Simm
“Sad news today,” the Collateral star wrote in a tribute on Instagram. “You’d be hard pressed to name a better screen actor than this man. Because there isn’t one. Perfection in every single role he played, a huge inspiration for me and for generations of actors. And he could do it all. He made the craft look effortless. A true artist.”
George Takei
The Star Trek alum commemorated his old peer with a heartfelt note to X.
“Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,” George wrote. “He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his world will live on forever.”
Edgar Wright
Edgar Wright—who directed Baby Driver and Last Night in Soho—shared a tribute to the late actor on X, writing, “The greatest…”
Cary Elwes
“We have lost a true legend,” the Princess Bride star wrote in a Feb. 27 Instagram post. “The magnificent Gene Hackman has passed away. A man whose breadth of talent was immeasurable. Growing up on his movies was an absolute thrill for me."
He continued to emphasize the impact of Gene's craft.
"To observe his remarkable facility and humanity in every role was something to behold," he added. "Whatever film he was in, he made it better. A force of nature like no other and as such there will never be another like him. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans all over the world. Rest in absolute power, Gene.”