Iconic actor Gene Hackman was found dead alongside his wife at their home in New Mexico, local authorities reported this Thursday. Following his death, the two-time Oscar winner left behind an impressive fortune. This is his net worth.
What is Gene Hackman’s net worth?
The deceased actor, who was 95 years old, had an extensive and successful film career, particularly standing out in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Over his 40 years in the industry, until his retirement in 2004, Gene Hackman managed to accumulate a significant fortune thanks to his involvement in major films and projects.
By 2024, his net worth was estimated at $90 million, with $30 million of that income earned in the last five years, allowing him to generate an estimated annual income of $6 million.
Hackman’s wealth came not only from his work in film but also from various investments, including real estate, with properties in California and New Mexico. His three children—Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth—will be the heirs to his fortune.
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What did Gene Hackman die from?
The bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found with their dog at their residence around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, when authorities responded to a wellness check request.
So far, the cause of death has not been determined; however, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that there is no evidence suggesting a crime occurred. According to Chris Ramírez, spokesperson for the New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office, the investigation is ongoing, and results may take between four and six weeks.
Did Gene Hackman die from carbon monoxide poisoning?
One of the main theories being explored in the investigation into actor Gene Hackman’s death is carbon monoxide poisoning, given that gas leaks have caused fatalities in numerous homes across the United States.
According to the New Mexico Poison Control, carbon monoxide poisoning is common during the winter months when people rely on heaters to stay warm. In this context, the Department of Health reported 73 deaths related to this poisoning between 2019 and 2023.
Authorities have neither confirmed nor ruled out this hypothesis, so we will have to wait for the investigation results to determine the exact causes of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s deaths.
Who was Gene Hackman?
Gene Hackman was born in 1930 in San Bernardino, California. His rise to fame was not immediate, as he first served in the U.S. Marine Corps and then tried his luck in acting, seeking roles in California and New York, often alongside his apartment mate, Dustin Hoffman, who would later rise to fame for his role in The Graduate. Hackman also held occasional jobs, such as a truck driver and doorman.
At 26, Hackman gained recognition with his role in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), a role he landed after losing out on the part of Mr. Robinson in The Graduate.
Throughout his career, Hackman often played tough characters, conflicted authority figures, or cunning villains. One of his most iconic roles was as Lex Luthor in the Superman film series of the 1970s and 1980s.
He won his first Oscar for portraying New York cop Popeye Doyle in The French Connection (1971). Another role that earned him critical acclaim and nominations for BAFTA and Golden Globe awards was in The Conversation (1974), directed by Francis Ford Coppola. His second Oscar came for his portrayal of Little Bill Daggett, the violent sheriff in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992).
One of his most memorable roles, and one of the final ones in his career, was as Royal Tenenbaum, the eccentric and chaotic father in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), a quirky comedy by Wes Anderson. For this performance, Hackman won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy, and this might be the role most remembered by younger generations of his career.
Hackman retired at 74. After his involvement in Runaway Jury, a film with a star-studded cast, including his friend Dustin Hoffman, and favorable reviews, he appeared in the forgettable comedy Welcome to Mooseport, which was his final role. He decided to retire completely from the industry at an age when many actors of his caliber continue to work, and he was rarely seen in public afterward.
In the final decades of his life, Hackman lived in Santa Fe with his partner, Betsy Arakawa, a former classical pianist, keeping away from the public eye.
