Francis Ford Coppola and Star Trek actor George Takei leads the heartfelt tributes to ‘one of the true giants of the screen’ Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa after the couple were found dead in their Santa Fe home

Tributes have began pouring in for Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa following the news of their deaths on Thursday.

The couple, who had been married since 1991, were found alongside their dog. Local media has reported that no foul play is suspected.

And amid the shock news, filmmaker Frances Ford Coppola and George Takei were among the famous names leading the heartfelt tributes for the star and his partner.

Taking to X on Thursday morning, George, known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek, posted a touching tribute to the late actor.

He shared: ‘We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.’ 

Filmmaker Frances Ford Coppola, who worked with Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation, wrote on Threads: ‘The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.’

While Irish funnyman Dara penned: ‘Ah, Gene Hackman. The finest screen actor ever, I think. Not a single duff performance, in a long, long career. And the best delivery ever of a single word: when he says ‘Cigars!’ In Young Frankenstein.’

Meanwhile, appearing on Good Morning Britain as the news broke, Lorraine shared: ‘That is a real shocker, I was just reading about what an amazing actor he is, when you think of the movies that he’s been in…French Connection, everybody remembers that! Wonderful, wonderful film! I had no idea he was 95! That’s really really sad.’

The host continued: ‘He’s an absolute icon, brilliant. He was so funny in Birdcage… he could do drama, he could do comedy, he could do absolutely anything.’ 

StudioCanal UK’s Instagram page shared images of Gene in their releases The Conversation and Narrow Margin as they paid tribute to the star. 

The movie studio penned: ‘What a colossal loss for cinema as we lose one of the greatest to do it – Gene Hackman.

‘We’re hugely saddened by his passing, sending our deepest condolences.’

Elsewhere, fans were quick to share their devastation at the loss of the film icon, taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.

They penned: ‘I loved Gene Hackman. He dressed up every movie he was in, and retired from acting only to become a fiction writer. What a life!’

‘Sad news to see that legendary actor Gene Hackman has died gone but not forgotten.’

‘The rasp, the twinkle, the charm, the cheek, the explosive menace, the vaulting pitch, the intelligence, the heartbreaking tenderness and vulnerability, the commanding presence, on and on, Gene Hackman was easily my favourite actor. RIP. ‘Miss Teschmacher!”

‘There’ll never be another actor like him. An absolute giant of cinema. RIP Gene Hackman’

‘I’ve always admired Gene Hackman, I don’t think I’ve ever watched him in a movie where he wasn’t wonderful. RIP and thank you for all the wonderful films.’

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza did not provide a cause of death, nor did he say when the couple might have died, when asked by local media. 

Two-time Oscar winner 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. 

The actor was first propelled into the spotlight when he starred in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, and he went on to star in a slew of beloved movies and TV shows like Superman, The French Connection and Get Shorty, to name a few. 

But in 2004, he announced that he was done being an actor. He packed up his things, left Los Angeles for the quiet of New Mexico – and he never looked back.

Some initially thought that the shocking decision had to do with his marriage. But Hackman actually quit acting because of the severe stress he was under, which became too much to handle after he started to have issues with his heart.

The former Marine appeared in more than 80 films, as well as on television and the stage during his lengthy career that started in the early 1960s.

Hackman was married twice, most recently to classical pianist, and had three children with his first wife.

Last year, he and Betsy, a 63-year-old classical pianist, were seen out and about for the first time in two decades. 

Hackman was spotted holding onto his wife’s arm for balance as the pair grabbed a bite at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Before the dinner date, Hackman enjoyed a cup of coffee and some apple pie from a local Speedway store.

The couple’s outing marks the first time they were seen together in public for 21 years, with the last time being at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, where he won the Cecil B. deMille award.

The legendary two-time Oscar winner and his long-time partner seemed to be in a good mood as they left the restaurant together. 

He told Reuters in 2008: ‘I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer.’

‘I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer.’

He also explained his passion for writing novels, saying ‘I like the loneliness of it, actually. It’s similar in some ways to acting, but it’s more private and I feel like I have more control over what I’m trying to say and do.’

‘There’s always a compromise in acting and in film, you work with so many people and everyone has an opinion. … I don’t know that I like it better than acting, it’s just different. I find it relaxing and comforting.’ 

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. 

Hackman began his acting career nearly 70 years ago, joining the Pasadena Playhouse in 1956, where he befriended fellow aspiring actor Dustin Hoffman.

He eventually moved to New York in 1963 and began performing in several Off-Broadway plays and smaller TV roles.

The thespian truly made his name in the 1970s, when he was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category for the 1970 flick, I Never Sang For My Father.