LEGENDARY actor Gene Hackman made haunting comments saying he "feared" death before he passed away in his New Mexico home aged 95.
Cops in Santa Fe revealed the star was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog in their plush $3.8 million home on Wednesday.
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 but shared extra details about the tragic discovery.
It really costs me a lot emotionally to watch my younger self on-screen
Gene Hackman
"On February 26 2025, at approximately 1.45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased," a police statement said.
Hackman's poignant comments on fearing death have now resurfaced.
In a 2009 interview, the two-time Oscars winner said: "I have the normal fear of passing away.
"You know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age.
"I try to take care of myself."
The star also revealed that he wanted his wife and family to be taken care of once he was gone.
"I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don't have a lot of fears," he added.
The star also once said: "It really costs me a lot emotionally to watch myself on-screen.
"I think of myself, and feel like I'm quite young, and then I look at this old man with the baggy chins and the tired eyes and the receding hairline and all that."
Hackman was last seen publicly with Betsy in March 2024 at a restaurant in Santa Fe.
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
He appeared frail as he used a cane and grabbed onto his wife's arm for support when walking.
The couple were on a dinner date in Santa Fe, New Mexico, heading into Pappadeaux's restaurant.
The Hollywood legend had celebrated his 94th birthday just weeks before his last pictures were taken.
Earlier in the day, the couple were also seen visiting a local Speedway store, where Gene bought a cup of coffee and an apple pie
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.
I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don't have a lot of fears
Gene Hackman
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."
Hackman served in the US Marine Corps for four years from the age of 16.
He was discharged in 1951 but a year later, his mother died in a house fire.
HEARTFELT TRIBUTES
Floods of messages from fellow Hollywood stars have poured in to remember the acting legend and his special career.
American actor George Takei said Gene's work "will live on forever".
"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," Takei said.
"He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That's how powerful an actor he was."
The great filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation, remembered him as a "great actor".
"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," Coppola said.
"I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution."
Piers Morgan also paid a touching tribute to the star.
"What an incredibly sad end to a remarkable life. RIP," he said.
A STELLAR CAREER
Hackman's breakout moment was in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, where he played Buck Barrow.
But, he was known for starring in Superman movies, and hit films like Mississippi Burning and Unforgiven.
He played the supervillain Lex Luthor in Superman, Superman II, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Hackman also starred in the hit movies Runaway Jury, The French Connection, The Royal Tenenbaums, Unforgiven, and The Conversation.
In 1972, he scooped the Best Actor gong for his role as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection.
He appeared in the movie's sequel in 1975.
In 1993, Hackman won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the western flick Unforgiven.
Hackman played Little Bill Daggett in the film that also starred Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Anna Thomson.
Unforgiven scooped four Oscars, including Best Picture.
Hackman appeared in four westerns during the 1990s. The others were: Geronimo: An American Legend, Wyatt Earp, and The Quick and the Dead.
But, he also appeared on stage. Hackman's last Broadway appearance came in 1992 when he played Roberto Miranda in the play Death and the Maiden.
When he quit acting, it was feared that the decision was linked to stress.
He admitted he struggled to balance family life with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
Hackman wasn't just a film star; he starred in TV series such as Brenner and The F.B.I.
But after his final role, he left the bright lights of Hollywood and moved to New Mexico.
He was rarely spotted and liked to enjoy Wendy's drive-thru meals.
In his later years, he suffered from minor health problems.
In 2012, Hackman was struck by a car when riding his bike.
He was rushed to a Miami hospital with serious injuries.
"Gene's fine," his agent Susan Madore said at the time as she downplayed any fears.
"Just a few bumps and bruises."
The incident happened eight years after his final movie role.
And, it was just weeks before he turned 82.
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