Hollywood legend Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95.
Hackman began pursuing an acting career in the late 1950s and joined the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where he befriended Dustin Hoffman and the rest, as they say, is history. He won two Oscars over his 50-year career, for “The French Connection” in 1971 and again some 20 years later for the Clint Eastwood film “Unforgiven.” He was also remembered as the basketball coach in the 1986 drama “Hoosiers,” and for playing Lex Luthor in the 1978 version of “Superman,” as well as many other memorable roles.
Police in New Mexico said Hackman and his 64-year-old wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead along with their dog in their Santa Fe home Wednesday afternoon. Their deaths are under investigation, though foul play is not suspected.
[ photo credit: Reuters ]
