Gene Hackman, wife and dog are found dead at home

[Chuchoter]

Legendary Hollywood star Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead in their Santa Fe home.
The couple, who had been married since 1991, were found alongside their dog. Local media has reported that no foul play is suspected.
Hackman had just turned 95 in late January. He was known for being a reclusive person, having not starred in a movie since 2004, when he played Monroe 'Eagle' Cole in the political satire Welcome to Mooseport.
Born in California on January 30 1930, the actor had enlisted in the army after lying about his age at 16, serving for four-and-a-half years.
After moving back to California following his military service, he decided to pursue acting after briefly living in New York.
RIP

Superb actor.

1. 2004 was not 25 years ago, unless we've time jumped to 2029!
2. he was 74 then, I think he's entitled to retire
3. only one person confused him with Gene Wilder, and it was quickly corrected (by many)
4. the news is not just for younger people
5. the way news is these days it'll be off the "front page" by lunch time - no doubt Trump will do something or say something.....

Wonderful actor, one of my favourites. He had a lovely smile.

Grow Up

You are as bad as those on Facebook accusing every old photo being Photoshopped!

Not seen The Conversation but it looks exactly my thing. It's streaming on Apple and Prime, I believe.

I put off watching that for Years (not knowingly, it was just a film that had passed me by) but when I DID watch it I really enjoyed it
I was the same with The Family Stone though.

This thread shows the demography of Mumsnet and not in a good way!

If you didn't see The French Connection or lived through the era of Easy Rider, , Butch Cassidy, Clockwork Orange, the Deer Stalker, and many more, you're too young to understand his status in films.

Exactly, not until the autopsy confirmed it. In the meantime, they should not rule out foul play until this has been confirmed. Or don't lie to the public if they are indeed following that line of investigation.
They take us for fools.

So many great performances. The Conversation is an amazing film.

RIP his wife Betsy Arakawa. Only 63.

63 isn't though.

Which is probably AI

I'd recommend to those who don't know him to set your TV to record any film with Gene Hackman in it - you'll rarely go wrong.

Eh?

I am sure there are guidelines as to what 'ruling out foul play' means to the US media. I would take it to mean no signs of a break in and violent death eg gunshots, stabbing etc. I don't think you need an autopsy to know those aren't the causes.

I suppose if someone sent an envelope full of anthrax then that would be foul play that might require an autopsy to prove, but it's a nonsense to imply either nothing or everything must be said at this stage.

I don't mind movie ignorance, some people are just not interested. What gets me though is reveling in it and coming here to announce Gene Hackman was an obscure celebrity known only to people over 50.

Oh and the actual wording seems to be 'no immediate indication of foul play' - so covering the bases if eg it was carbon monoxide poisoning that was later found to be deliberate. Below from the Guardian...

“We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday.” The Press Association confirmed there is an “active investigation’’ into the deaths. Sheriff Mendoza said there was no immediate indication of foul play. He did not provide a cause of death or say when the couple might have died.

He achieved a great legacy (brilliant actor) but I’m sorry about his wife dying so young. Hopefully it was something accidental like carbon monoxide poisoning for his children’s sake, rather than the alternative. I’m glad the news coverage is focusing on his fantastic career - it’s reminded me of so many films of his that I’ve enjoyed of his (although I haven’t seen them mention a 90’s comedy called Heartbreakers - he stole the film even above Sigourney Weaver!)

That was my immediate thought.

I doubt very much that someone so wealthy and living their lifestyle would not have staff etc to make sure that the heating system was safe - with CM monitors etc. Because CM poisoning although 'silent' usually has some symptoms before it's fatal.

I doubt very much it's carbon monoxide.

Yes, mine too unfortunately (suicide pact). Though I kind of hope not because of his children. But loss of function/pain as you get very elderly or ill seems so hard to deal with, even if we know it will happen to us all eventually.

No foul play means no third party involvement, or murder. It doesn’t rule out suicides. Several news outlets initially reported this as a double suicide - although some have since removed reference to this, not all have. I hope it isn’t, it’s an awful thought.

Its a tragedy for the family. He was a superb actor.

As they've said no foul play that would rule out a pact. I'm guessing accidental poisoning of some sort.

Again - the quote was "no immediate indication of foul play"

I do not know if two people committing suicide, or one dying of natural causes and the other committing suicide in grief, would come under foul play.

I will stop speculating now - there will be an answer soon enough, as there was for Matthew Perry etc.

@AInightingale good gracious he is not obscure!! Maybe if you are under 45 and don't ever watch classic films.

I will be rewatching 'no way out' this weekend - superb film and quite topical given the state of things in US politics

This was my thought. I would imagine they lived in a fairly sprawling and well mintained property, not an obvious candidate for CO poisoning.

Can we get off the cause of death topic and back on the recommendations for all the wonderful movies topic... there's been lots mentioned here that I've forgotten about, so good to see them here.
I think a Gene Hackman marathon is called for this weekend. 💔💔💔