Tom Jones has paid an emotional tribute to actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa after the couple were found dead at their home in New Mexico. The 95-year-old Oscar-winning star and his 63-year-old wife were discovered on Wednesday night, with their dog also found deceased at the property.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the deaths but said a cause has not yet been determined. Police have stated there is no indication of foul play, though an active investigation is ongoing. Hackman and Arakawa had been married since 1991.
Jones wrote on Instagram: 'True cinema royalty, a GIANT of American film, RIP Gene and Betsy.' Director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Hackman on The Conversation, said: 'I mourn his loss and celebrate his existence and contribution.'
Hackman won Academy Awards for his roles in The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992). He retired from acting 21 years ago after a health warning from his doctor, who advised that his heart was not strong enough for the stress of filmmaking. Hackman described the business side of showbusiness as 'wicked' and said the transition from creative work to business meetings was 'jarring'.
The actor is survived by three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese, which lasted from 1956 to 1986.
