As President of BAFTA, Prince William has paid tribute to Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy, who were found dead on February 26th at their home in Santa Fe in New Mexico.
Gene Hackman was an esteemed actor known for his roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven”, whilst Betsy Arakawa was a classical pianist.
Writing on Kensington Palace social media channels, The Prince of Wales wrote: ‘So sad to hear the news of the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy. Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality. W’
Following the news of their deaths, authorities have stated that there are no immediate signs of foul play, but investigations are ongoing to determine the exact causes of death. Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, has mentioned that the family suspects carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause, though this has not been officially confirmed.
We are saddened to hear that the much-celebrated actor Gene Hackman has died aged 95.
Hackman’s illustrious career spanned over six decades and earned him BAFTA wins for his work in Unforgiven, The French Connection and The Poseidon Adventure. pic.twitter.com/hwgqpff5sZ
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 27, 2025
Gene Hackman’s illustrious career spanned over six decades, earning him two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and two BAFTA awards. He was renowned for his versatility, portraying a wide range of characters in films such as “Bonnie and Clyde,” “The Conversation,” “Superman,” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Hackman retired from acting in 2004 to focus on writing and other personal pursuits.
