Gene Hackman police statement in full: Cops update on...

POLICE have released an update on Gene Hackman's shocking death after the Hollywood star was found with his wife and dog and their home. Cops revealed they have launched an "active investigation" into the two-time Oscar winner's case. Gene, 95, was discovered alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, on Wednesday afternoon.

Image Credit: The Sun [Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.]

Cops said have not revealed the couple's cause of death but said they suspect no foul play at the time. “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail," the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said.

Image Credit: The Sun [Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa at the Golden Globe Awards.]

“This is an active investigation – however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”. Hollywood star Hackman, 95, received two Oscars and two Baftas in his acting career which spanned decades. He secured the best actor Oscar in 1972 for his role as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection.

Image Credit: The Sun [Gene Hackman holding an Academy Award.]

Hackman landed a further Academy Award in the best supporting actor category for his part in 1992 Western Unforgiven, directed by Clint Eastwood. Born in California in 1930, Hackman left home at age 16 to enlist in the marine corps and served from 1947 to 1952 as a field radio operator and then as a broadcast journalist.

He went on to study journalism and television production at the University of Illinois, but later pivoted to pursue an acting career. Hackman had a few TV and theatre roles before breaking through with his performance in 1967’s Bonnie And Clyde, which starred Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in the titular roles, which landed him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

He also picked up Oscar nods for his role in 1970’s I Never Sang For My Father and 1988’s thriller Mississippi Burning. The actor secured a new cohort of fans for his portrayal of supervillain Lex Luthor in the 1978 Superman film starring Christopher Reeve in the eponymous role and Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Superman’s biological father.

He reprised the role for its subsequent sequels, 1980’s Superman II and 1987’s Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.