If you’ve spent any time lately scrolling through old movie clips or catching a rerun of The French Connection, you’ve probably wondered about the man behind Popeye Doyle. He was the kind of actor who didn't just play a role; he grabbed the screen by the throat. But in the last year, a lot of conflicting noise has popped up online. Honestly, the answer to is the actor Gene Hackman still alive is a heavy one for movie fans.
He isn't.
Gene Hackman passed away in February 2025 at the age of 95. It wasn't just a quiet "end of an era" announcement either. The circumstances surrounding his death and the passing of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were both tragic and, for a few weeks, deeply confusing for investigators in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The heartbreaking reality in Santa Fe
For decades, Hackman lived as a semi-recluse in the high desert of New Mexico. He loved the "magic" of the light there. He painted. He wrote historical fiction. He stayed away from the red carpets that he’d grown to loathe during his forty-year career.
Then came February 26, 2025.
A maintenance worker headed up to the Hackman estate—a sprawling, 50-plus acre compound—and found the front door ajar. Inside, the scene was devastating. Gene, Betsy, and one of their dogs were all deceased. Because they were found in different rooms and the timeline wasn't immediately clear, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office initially labeled the deaths as "suspicious."
It sparked a media frenzy. People started whispering about gas leaks or foul play.
What really happened: The official timeline
Authorities eventually cleared up the mystery, though the truth was arguably sadder than the rumors. According to autopsy reports and data pulled from Hackman’s own pacemaker, the timeline of their final days was a "perfect storm" of health crises.
- February 12, 2025: Betsy Arakawa, Gene's wife of over 30 years, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. It's a rare but deadly respiratory disease often linked to rodent droppings, which can be a risk in rural New Mexico properties.
- The week of isolation: Hackman, who was 95 and suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease, was likely unaware of what had happened to Betsy. Investigators believe his cognitive decline prevented him from calling for help.
- February 18, 2025: Data from Hackman's pacemaker indicated his heart stopped on this day. The official cause was hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Basically, he lived in the house for nearly a week after his wife passed, likely confused and unable to care for himself, until his own heart gave out. It’s a haunting end for a man who always projected such immense strength on screen.
Why the confusion persists in 2026
If you're seeing people ask is the actor Gene Hackman still alive today, it’s probably because of the "delayed" nature of celebrity news in the social media age. Also, his home was just recently listed for sale in January 2026 for a staggering $6.25 million. When a famous estate hits the market, it usually triggers a fresh wave of Google searches from people who missed the news the year before.
The house itself is a masterpiece of Southwestern architecture. Hackman spent years remodeling it, adding "distressed" wood beams and creating a "great hall" feel. It’s a bit eerie to think about now, but the real estate listing describes an artist’s studio and a lap pool—remnants of a very active retirement that lasted twenty years.
The "reclusive" years weren't so reclusive
One of the biggest misconceptions about Hackman's later years is that he was a hermit. He wasn't. Locals in Santa Fe would see him at the 7-Eleven grabbing coffee and an apple pie. He’d be spotted at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Albuquerque, leaning on his wife’s arm or using a cane.
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He did yoga. He did Pilates. Up until his early 90s, he was still out in his yard doing manual labor. He just didn't want to be "Gene Hackman, Movie Star" anymore. He told Empire magazine years ago that he didn't even watch his own movies because they gave him an "icky feeling."
A legacy of "The Everyman"
Hackman didn't have the classic leading-man looks. He looked like your uncle, or a gym coach, or a guy who might sell you a used car. But that was his secret weapon. Whether he was playing the terrifying Little Bill in Unforgiven or the quirky patriarch in The Royal Tenenbaums, there was a grit to him that felt 100% authentic.
He didn't do "Hollywood." He did the work.
Moving forward: How to remember him
If you want to honor the man's memory, don't just dwell on the tragic way things ended. There are better ways to engage with his legacy.
- Watch "The Conversation" (1974): It’s perhaps his most nuanced performance. He plays Harry Caul, a lonely surveillance expert, and it feels especially relevant in our current era of privacy concerns.
- Read his books: Many people forget he became a successful novelist. Pursuit and Justice for None are solid picks if you like historical thrillers.
- Support Alzheimer’s research: Given that cognitive decline played a role in the tragic delay of his discovery, contributing to organizations like the Alzheimer's Association is a practical way to turn a sad story into something helpful.
The world is a bit less "gritty" without him. While the answer to is the actor Gene Hackman still alive is no, the films he left behind aren't going anywhere. You can still see that fire in his eyes every time Hoosiers comes on TV.
If you're looking to dive deeper into classic cinema, your next step should be checking out the 1970s "New Hollywood" movement—the era that allowed guys like Hackman to become the icons they were.