Gene Hackman, a celebrated actor with two Oscars and a prolific career, lived a reclusive life with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The couple, known for their privacy, were found dead in their home, likely having passed away nine days prior. Neighbors had seldom seen them in recent years, only observing their trash cans outside. Despite having some local friends, including a restaurant owner and a business co-founder, they retreated further into solitude during the pandemic. Their secluded neighborhood, cherished for its privacy, contributed to their isolation, now prompting mourning from neighbors and fans alike.
With two Oscars, a devoted following, and four decades of acting under his belt, Gene Hackman charmed critics, made celebrity friends, and featured in numerous films enjoyed by millions. However, for the last twenty years, he sought peace in a secluded cul-de-sac, where few neighbors ever spotted him.
Last week, Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found deceased at their home near Santa Fe, N.M. They were known for their desire for privacy post-retirement. The fact that Mr. Hackman likely passed away nine days before their bodies were discovered highlights the isolation of their community and their growing seclusion.
In Santa Fe Summit, the gated community where they resided just east of the city, even close neighbors reported having seen little of the couple in recent years, aside from their trash bins waiting for collection. The couple steered clear of homeowners’ association gatherings and annual picnics, and their spacious four-bedroom home situated on a tranquil road named Old Sunset Trail remains largely concealed from the entrance.
Though they had friends in town, with Mr. Hackman having invested in a restaurant displaying his artwork and Ms. Arakawa co-founding a home goods store, acquaintances noted their retreat from public life during the Covid-19 pandemic. They cherished the privacy of their neighborhood, which was respected by fellow residents, many of whom were professionals seeking private residences with breathtaking views just a short drive from downtown Santa Fe.
“They have a gate, and we have a gate, and we just have never even seen each other,” shared James Everett, who has been a part-time resident next door for around five years.
Neighbors who encountered Mr. Hackman or Ms. Arakawa over the years found them warm and noted their evident love for their three dogs, which they sometimes walked around the neighborhood. (One of their German shepherds was discovered deceased in the house last week, while the other two were found alive on the property.)
Helen Dufreche, a former adjacent resident who relocated to Louisiana to be nearer to her grandchildren, fondly remembered first meeting Mr. Hackman over a decade ago. Donning a baseball cap, he pulled up beside her in a truck, admiring her dachshunds.
“What cute puppies!” Ms. Dufreche recalled him exclaiming from the window.
When one of Ms. Dufreche’s dogs, Payton, was a finalist for The Santa Fe New Mexican’s annual pet calendar, Ms. Arakawa stopped to mention that she and Mr. Hackman had recognized Payton’s picture in the paper. Ms. Dufreche returned home to tell Payton, “Gene Hackman has been talking about you.”
She noted having seen Ms. Arakawa occasionally driving in or out of the neighborhood with the three German shepherds in the back of her Toyota Land Cruiser.
Ms. Dufreche remarked that her last sighting of Mr. Hackman was around 2017, as he passed by in his truck with a mountain bike attached to the back. She noted he appeared healthy and fit, “just like he did in ‘Crimson Tide.’”
Bud Hamilton, a two-decade neighbor, recalled that he and his wife dined with the couple only once shortly after they moved in.
Aware of Mr. Hamilton’s involvement with the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico, Mr. Hackman contributed a painting each year for the foundation’s auction, continuing up until last year.
While particularly private, Mr. Hackman and Ms. Arakawa were not alone in seeking solitude at Santa Fe Summit. The community comprises approximately 55 homes, with many residents—both full-time and part-time—reporting that they are only acquainted with a few neighbors.
Claire Lange, a real estate agent residing in a different part of the neighborhood, mentioned that seclusion adds to the allure of living in the hills.
“Santa Fe is about enjoying the beauty, but also about being private and doing your own thing,” she stated. “People live here very, very quietly.”
Others echoed her sentiments.
“I know there are some nice folks up there; I just don’t know them,” lamented Beau Theriot, a Texas resident who visits his home in the neighborhood a few times a year. He expressed admiration for Mr. Hackman’s films and recalled seeing him a few years prior, walking with a cane alongside his wife.
Even residents who rarely crossed paths with the esteemed Hollywood actor, who appeared in over 100 films and television series throughout his 43-year career, appreciated having him as a neighbor and are now mourning both his and his wife’s passing.
Norma Lord, who has a nearby house with her husband, reflected on growing up watching Mr. Hackman’s films. While her husband spotted him walking a dog during Christmas, they otherwise never interacted with the couple.
Harvey Chalker, a longtime resident who operated a ski shop in Santa Fe with his wife, recalled that during his tenure as president of the homeowner’s association, Ms. Arakawa managed their business affairs, and Mr. Hackman once purchased a pair of hiking shoes from his store.
“He wanted to be quiet, he didn’t want to be bothered, and I can’t blame him,” Mr. Chalker remarked.
Several neighbors expressed particular sorrow over reports that Mr. Hackman seemingly passed away on Feb. 17, suggesting he and Ms. Arakawa may have remained undiscovered for as long as nine days before being found last Wednesday.
Fernando Miranda, a neurologist who has owned a residence nearby since 2018, reflected on his last visit to the neighborhood shortly after Feb. 17. He described spending his time as usual, reading, playing the harpsichord, and reflecting.
It saddened him to think that Mr. Hackman—whom Dr. Miranda considered one of his heroes—likely lay undiscovered a few houses away.
In his time at Santa Fe Summit, Dr. Miranda noted he had only spoken with a couple of neighbors, at most.
“We all sort of cherish the fact that we are isolated,” he concluded.
Julia Jacobs contributed reporting.