Why Gene Hackman Lost Touch with His Son – Inside His Private Parenthood

Gene Hackman was one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors. He had retired from the film industry and settled into a quiet life with his lovely wife. Before his demise, the two Oscars and four Golden Globes award winner revealed why he left behind his acting career, how he regretted not being there for his son, and what he enjoyed doing in his retirement.

Gene Hackman, renowned for his remarkable performances in over a hundred movies, has sadly passed away at 95, along with his beloved wife Betsy Arakawa. The two were found dead at their home in the Santa Fe Summit community on Wednesday afternoon (February 26, 2025).

The Santa Fe County Sheriff, Adan Mendoza, confirmed their deaths shortly after midnight on Thursday (February 27, 2025), adding that their dog had also died.

According to Sheriff Mendoza, there were no immediate signs of foul play. However, he refrained from sharing a cause of death or an estimated timeline for when the couple may have passed away. Hackman had been a longtime resident of Santa Fe, having lived there since the 1980s.

He married Arakawa, a classical pianist, in 1991. Arakawa was 63 years old at the time of her demise. Authorities were dispatched to the couple’s home on Old Sunset Trail, a gated community off Hyde Park Road, to investigate the deaths of two elderly individuals and a dog. There was no clarity on whether the deputies were responding to a welfare check or a direct report of the deaths.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered the bodies of a man in his 90s and a woman in her 60s. Sheriff Mendoza clarified that the investigation remains in its preliminary stages, with deputies awaiting approval of a search warrant at the time of his statement on Wednesday evening.

Despite the tragic discovery, Mendoza assured local residents that there was no immediate threat to the community.

Before his demise, Hackman had a role that surpassed any on-screen character: that of a loving father to his three grown children. His true pride lay in his role as a dedicated father and grandfather, underscoring the significance of family bonds.

Hackman’s journey as a father was a product of his marriage with his late ex-wife, Fay Maltese, with whom he shared the joys and responsibilities of raising their three children. Son Christopher Allen was born in January 1960, followed by daughter Elizabeth Jean in August 1962 and daughter Leslie Anne in October 1966.

The couple, who were married from 1956 to 1986, faced challenges that ultimately led to divorce. While the actor’s career often took him away from home, he cherished the connection he had managed to build with his children and grandchildren. A source close to Hackman once shared, “He wishes he’d been around more for his children, but now he’s close with them and their kids.”

Reflecting on his past, Hackman revealed the challenges of maintaining a strong parental presence while pursuing a demanding acting career. The demands of location shoots and extended absences hindered his ability to provide the guidance his son needed.

He also expressed his regret and his efforts to repair his relationship with his children, especially his son, who had struggled with addiction and legal troubles.

Interestingly, despite the strained relationship the two shared, Hackman once spoke about how his son was a part of influencing his interest in the entertainment industry.

In a 2020 interview with Empire, Hackman divulged, “I wrote a lot of little short pieces, almost like audition pieces, for actors. My son thought he wanted to be an actor at one time and was in New York and I wrote him a couple of little monologues. I guess that’s where I started. I really enjoyed it. Ideas would just pop into my head and I would write them down.”

During a different interview with GQ, he was asked if there was advice he would give his son. He answered, “I lost touch with my son in terms of advice early on. Maybe it had to do with being gone so much, doing location films when he was at an age where he needed support and guidance. It was very tough for me to be gone for three months and then come home and start bossing him around.”

In another sit-down interview many years ago, Hackman spoke about his perspective concerning the nature of a father-son relationship.

The segment was about a film role the late legend had played, which was a dad. The conversation veered toward the tendency for society to find it unacceptable for fathers to remain affectionate with their sons as they get older.

The interviewer, Leta Powell Drake, asked him if there was ever a point in his relationship with a male child where he stopped hugging them and opted to shake hands instead, which he did in the movie.

Hackman responded, “No, we still hug to this day and I thank God that we’re able to do that. I don’t think we’ll ever have a point where we […] feel that we have to shake hands. That was a real stretch for me in the film. And probably one of the coldest things that one can do is not be aware, be insensitive to that need of a child to be wrapped in a father’s arms.”

Gene Hackman’s Decision to Retire from the Film Industry

For many fans and critics, Hackman was one of the greatest actors of his generation, who could play any role with skill and charisma. He had a prolific and diverse career, starring in over 100 films across various genres, from drama to comedy, and action to romance.

He worked with some of the most talented directors and co-stars in the industry, earning respect and admiration from his peers. Hackman also received numerous awards and nominations for his performances, including two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, two BAFTAs, and one Screen Actors Guild Award.

He was a legend in Hollywood who had left a lasting impression on the industry. But in 2004, Gene Hackman quietly made a decision that would mark the end of an iconic era. He bid adieu to Hollywood, leaving behind an indelible mark on the film industry.

In an interview from 1989, Hackman shared reflections about his life as an actor. After he was asked whether he thought the public saw him as “common” or normal, Hackman disclosed, “I think they probably do for whatever reasons, you know. Either I look like the common guy or act like him.”

He continued, “I am pretty common you know, in many ways. I like to keep my personal life fairly common so that in my art one can let go and one can soar.”

With the curtain drawn on his acting journey, Hackman chose to step away from the spotlight, officially closing the chapter on a cinematic legacy that spanned nearly six decades. It was a choice grounded in the depth of his longing to bid farewell to a profession that had been his life’s symphony.

Despite his departure from acting, his passion for creative expression persisted through other avenues. Hackman delved into writing, penning his thoughts and stories, and found solace in artistic pursuits.

The allure of the stage had dimmed against the backdrop of mounting industry demands. The stress of the film industry had taken its toll on Hackman, who felt that he had to make too many compromises to succeed. He faced many challenges and trade-offs in his career that overshadowed the joy he once found in his craft.

The late actor once confessed, “The business for me is very stressful. The compromises that you have to make in films are just part of the beast, and it had gotten to a point where I just didn’t feel like I wanted to do it anymore.”

His decision to retire was also influenced by a health scare. A routine stress test revealed that he had a weak heart. This made him realize that he needed to take care of his well-being and enjoy his life. Hackman then moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he rediscovered the art of living life at his own pace.

He had found peace and happiness in nature and simple activities. Some of the hobbies and interests that Hackman enjoyed in his retirement included writing, gardening, cycling, and reading. He also authored and co-wrote books such as “Payback at Morning Peak,” “Pursuit,” and “Escape from Andersonville.”

Hackman may have aged and faded from the public eye, but he still had a loyal fan base that admired his talent and charisma.

His appearance before his death, nearly twenty years after his last appearance onscreen at age 93, showed that he still had the same spirit and charm that made him a legend. Time may have introduced a new rhythm to his days, but it had not dimmed the vibrancy of his legacy.

Gene Hackman’s Marriage with Betsy Arakawa

After his divorce in 1986, Hackman found love once again in the form of Arakawa. The late couple’s romance began in 1984 and then blossomed into marriage. Hackman and Arakawa had a stable marriage that lasted through time and fame.

Hackman met Betsy Arakawa at a gym in Los Angeles (LA), where she had a part-time job. They fell for each other despite their 31-year age gap and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they lived, and Hackman reportedly loved “the peaceful life”. Outside of Hackman’s three kids from his previous marriage, the two had no children together.

They appeared to have shared a strong bond and understanding that kept their love alive for decades. They were an example of a couple that had overcome the odds and found joy in each other.

At this time, we extend our most sincere condolences to Hackman and Arakawa’s family, friends, and other loved ones, and hope for their healing amid their time of grief. RIP, dear Hackman and Arakawa.