Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their pet mysteriously passed away last Wednesday at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. According to reports, they were dead for days before they were found. While the cause of demise is yet to be confirmed, it came as a shock to Hollywood.
Industry colleagues and fans have been grieving their deaths on social media. Hackman’s co-star and friend of many years, Clint Eastwood, was one of the first to pay his respects. The shocking passing has his supporters and friends thinking back on his stellar career and his legacy.
Clint Eastwood shares tribute in respect for Gene Hackman
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The passing of his friend clearly shook Clint Eastwood, and he expressed his feelings during a chat with Variety. Eastwood paid tribute to Hackman’s unmatched acting ability, calling him one of the finest actors he had ever worked with. Eastwood recalled the special connection they shared while filming Unforgiven.
He was the one who convinced Hackman to play Little Bill Daggett, a character for which Hackman bagged an Oscar. Eastwood and Hackman also became best friends over the years. He described Hackman as a dear friend and mentioned how much he would miss him.
Other ‘Unforgiven’ actors paid tribute to the late Gene Hackman
Not only Eastwood but also his co-stars in Unforgiven mourned Hackman. Morgan Freeman, who had acted with Hackman in Unforgiven and Under Suspicion, put up a post on Instagram. Freeman shared his experiences with Hackman and how working with him had been a personal highlight of his career.
Frances Fisher, another Unforgiven co-star, remembered a sweet memory they shared on the set. She shared a funny story of Hackman’s first day on set when an unexpected change in weather forced the crew to shoot a dramatic jail scene earlier than planned. Hackman was unfazed by the surprise, took it in stride, and then went ahead to deliver a flawless performance as if he had been rehearsing for weeks.