Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman once adopted a stray dog that wandered onto the set of a movie he was filming in Baltimore, according to an animal rescue organization that shared the story following reports of the actor’s death on Wednesday.
Hackman, 95; his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64; and a dog were found dead in their New Mexico home on Wednesday. The dog was a German shepherd, found 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa, according to reports. Two other dogs were reported found alive at the home.
Why It Matters
Hackman was a highly regarded actor for decades, winning Academy Awards for his role as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection in 1971 and his role as “Little Bill” Daggett in Unforgiven in 1992. He retired from acting in 2004 after starring in the film Welcome to Mooseport.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa in January 1989.
Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX
What To Know
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said it responded to the home for a welfare check at around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Authorities said foul play was not suspected but had not yet announced a cause of death.
The dog, adopted by the actor in 1999, was just one of the animals Hackman lived with during his lifetime.
Animal Rescue, Inc., a shelter for cats and dogs, made a post on Facebook on Thursday saying that while Hackman was filming The Replacements with Keanu Reeves in 1999, two stray dogs wandered onto the set and were transported to the shelter via limousine.
Hackman and his wife went to the shelter the following week and adopted one of those dogs, who the rescue says was named Duke.
“We are mourning the passing of our most famous adopter Gene Hackman. He was an amazing actor and dog lover,” Animal Rescue, Inc. wrote in the post.
In a post prior to Hackman’s death, the shelter said it was sure Duke “lived a long, wonderful life with Betsy and Gene Hackman.”
Hackman’s author page on the Simon & Schuster website states that he lives in Santa Fe with his wife and two German shepherds.
In addition to his acting career, Hackman wrote two novels titled Pursuit and Payback at Morning Peak. He also coauthored three novels.
Hackman was born in San Bernardino in 1930. He left his home at the age of 16 and lied about his age so he could enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served four and a half years as a field-radio operator. Hackman was first stationed in China and later moved to Hawaii and Japan. He was discharged in 1951.
Hackman began acting in 1956. He got his start when he joined the Pasadena Playhouse, then moved to New York City, where he appeared in TV shows, films and Broadway plays.
He earned his first Oscar nomination in 1968 for his role as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde.
Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist, at a California gym in the 1980s.
What People Are Saying
Francis Ford Coppola, on Instagram: “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. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Valerie Perrine, on Instagram: “He was a genius [and one] of the greatest to grace the silver screen. I had the honor of working with [h]im on Superman. His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex. Till we meet again.”
What Happens Next
The investigation into the deaths of Hackman, Arakawa and their dog is ongoing.
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