ackman was known as a legend in Hollywood, most fondly remembered for his role as Lex Luthor in the Superman movie as well as Little Bill Daggett in the Unforgiven and Jimmy Doyle in the French Connection.
The actor was known as being a private individual as well and announced in 2004 that he was retiring from acting. He then proceeded to leave Los Angeles and moved to New Mexico.
At the time he told the press: “I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer. I really don’t want to do it any longer.”
Hackman concluded his acting career with over 100 acting roles, however rumors circulated that this decision to retire was tied to stress.
Hackman and Betsy started dating in the mid 80s and got married in 1991, but clarified that he did not abandon his first wife Faye Maltese for her.
He said: “By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman. We just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love.”
With his portrayals of Lex Luthor in the Superman film, Little Bill Daggett in the Unforgiven, and Jimmy Doyle in the French Connection, Akman was regarded as a Hollywood icon.
In 2004, the actor, who was also regarded as a private person, declared his intention to retire from acting. He then went to New Mexico after leaving Los Angeles.
He said to the media at the time: “Yes, I’m not going to act any more, but I haven’t arranged a press conference to announce my retirement. I’d really like to stop doing that.
Hackman had almost 100 acting jobs toward the end of his career, yet there were rumors that his choice to leave was related to Hackman and Betsy started dating in the mid 80s and got married in 1991, but clarified that he did not abandon his first wife Faye Maltese for her.
He said: “By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman. We just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love.”
Despite the lack of information regarding Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, followers have started blaming the actor and his spouse on social media.
“RIP Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa found dead, marking the end of an era in cinema,” one Twitter user commented.
“Remembering Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa,” another said. Their influence on music and film will never be forgotten.
“That is terrible news,” a third person said. One of the greatest actors Hollywood has ever produced.
Another person commented, saying, “What a legend left behind a legacy of one of the best movies of our times.”
