There's a devastating reason why Hollywood legend Gene Hackman was forced to retire from acting, following confirmation that he has died at the age of 95.
Police in Sante Fe, New Mexico confirmed that Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found deceased in their New Mexico home alongside their dog. An official cause of death is yet to be given however authorities have added there are no signs of foul play.
"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 said in a statement.
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"This is an active investigation - however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor."
Hackman enjoyed a Hollywood career which spanned six decades and saw him star in films such as The Royal Tenenbaums, Unforgiven and Mississippi Burning as well as playing the role of villain Lex Luthor in numerous Superman films during the 1970s and 80s.
He also received numerous awards for his work, including Oscars for The French Connection and Unforgiven.
The actor would make the sudden decision to retire from the industry in 2004 at the age of 74, following his roles in Runaway Jury and Welcome to Mooseport.
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He would later reveal the decision came on the advice of this doctor, following problems with his heart.
"The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York," he told Empire in a 2009 interview.
"The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress."
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Hackman had previously undergone angioplasty surgery, which is where a balloon is inserted to widen blocked arteries.
He also explained that while he'd enjoyed the creative part of being an actor, he'd struggled with 'the business part of show business'.
"[It's] kinda wicked. You jump from trying to be a sponge, if you will - in terms of input from other actors and the director and everything that’s surrounding you - you jump from that to a luncheon meeting with an agent and a producer on another film," the star said.
"It's kind of a frying pan. It was jarring and at my age and with my health, I decided I didn't want to do that any longer."
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Following retirement, Hackman produced historical fiction novels, briefly coming out of retirement to narrate two US military documentaries in 2016 and 2017.
LADbible Group has approached Hackman's representatives and Santa Fe County Police for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Celebrity News, TV and Film, Gene Hackman
Brenna Cooper