GEORGE Takei has led tributes to Gene Hackman after the Hollywood was found dead at his home in New Mexico aged 95.
Police in Santa Fe revealed the star was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog on Wednesday.
Tributes immediately started flooding in following the news, with celebrities and fans sharing their thoughts on social media.
Star Trek legend George, 87, wrote: “We have lost one of the true giants of the screen.
“Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it.
“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.”
It comes as…
- The star was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and their pet dog at their home in Santa Fe, cops said.
- Gene was last spotted with his wife in 2024 just weeks after his 94th birthday
- Cops have not revealed the acting legend’s cause of death but say there are no signs of foul play
- Police also said an “active investigation” has been launched into the couple’s shocking death
- Tributes to Gene and Betsy pour in from fellow Hollywood actors and stars
- Gene made a haunting comment on his “fear” of death
- The actor’s pal revealed how he went from the least likely to succeed at school to a two-time Oscar winner
- Gene had a “difficult” relationship with his kids and lost touch with his son
- The police statement has been released in full
- How Gene met his second wife, who he was married to for 34 years, at the gym
Comedian Dara O Briain said: “Ah, Gene Hackman. The finest screen actor ever, I think.
“Not a single duff performance, in a long, long career. And the best delivery ever of a single word: when he says ‘Cigars!’ In Young Frankenstein.”
‘THE LOSS OF A GREAT ARTIST’
Filmmaker Frances Ford Coppola shared a photo of them working on a movie together and wrote: “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.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Lorraine Kelly pays tribute to Gene Hackman as ‘absolute icon’ on Good Morning Britain” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”pV1KxHf2t” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369385653112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Avengers and Dune: Part 2 star Josh Brolin also paid tribute, writing in a post: “I am crushed by the sudden deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (and their dog).
“Crushed. He was always one of my favorites. Not many who beat to their own drums like he did. Rest in Peace.”
Cops have said there are no signs of foul play, per the Santa Fe New Mexican.
“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” Adan Mendoza, the Santa Fe County sheriff said.
Police have not revealed a cause of death.
GENE’S LOVE LIFE
Hackman was married twice, tying the knot with Faye Maltese in 1956.
The couple had three children – one son and two daughters.
They were married for three decades, divorcing in 1986.
He and classical pianist Betsy had been married since 1991.
Hackman, born in California in 1930, revealed his dad left the family home when he was 13.
He revealed his dad waved at him when he was playing outside.
“It was a real adios,” he told Vanity Fair in 2004. It was so precise. Maybe that’s why I became an actor.
“I doubt I would have become so sensitive to human behavior if that hadn’t happened to me as a child—if I hadn’t realized how much one small gesture can mean.”
RECLUSIVE FINAL YEARS
Gene had retired from acting and lived a reclusive life with his wife in the years leading up to both of their deaths.
The actor, known for his roles in The French Connection, Superman and The Royal Tenenbaums, had not starred in a movie since 2004.
And his last public appearance was last March when he and Betsy were seen leaving a restaurant after dining out.
His last film role came about when he played Monroe ‘Eagle’ Cole in the political satire Welcome to Mooseport.
It was after his role in the political flick that he announced he would be stepping down from acting and retiring for good.
