Dara Ó Briain and Lorraine Kelly lead the heartfelt tributes to ‘absolute icon’ Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa after the couple were found dead in their Santa Fe home

Tributes have began pouring in for Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa following the news of their deaths on Thursday.

The couple, who had been married since 1991, were found alongside their dog. Local media has reported that no foul play is suspected.

And amid the shock news, comedian Dara O’Briain and presenter Lorraine Kelly were among the famous names leading the heartfelt tributes for the star and his partner.

Taking to X on Thursday morning, Irish funnyman Dara penned: ‘Ah, Gene Hackman. The finest screen actor ever, I think. Not a single duff performance, in a long, long career. And the best delivery ever of a single word: when he says “Cigars!” In Young Frankenstein.’

Meanwhile, appearing on Good Morning Britain as the news broke, Lorraine shared: ‘That is a real shocker, I was just reading about what an amazing actor he is, when you think of the movies that he’s been in…French Connection, everybody remembers that! Wonderful, wonderful film! I had no idea he was 95! That’s really really sad.’

The host continued: ‘He’s an absolute icon, brilliant. He was so funny in Birdcage… he could do drama, he could do comedy, he could do absolutely anything.’ 

Tributes have began pouring in for Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa following the news of their deaths on Thursday

Legendary Hollywood star Gene Hackman, pictured in the 1971 film The French Connection, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home 

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza did not provide a cause of death, nor did he say when the couple might have died, when asked by local media. 

Two-time Oscar winner Hackman had just turned 95 in late January. He was known for being a reclusive person, having not starred in a movie since 2004, when he played Monroe ‘Eagle’ Cole in the political satire Welcome to Mooseport. 

The actor was first propelled into the spotlight when he starred in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, and he went on to star in a slew of beloved movies and TV shows like Superman, The French Connection and Get Shorty, to name a few. 

But in 2004, he announced that he was done being an actor. He packed up his things, left Los Angeles for the quiet of New Mexico – and he never looked back.

Some initially thought that the shocking decision had to do with his marriage. But Hackman actually quit acting because of the severe stress he was under, which became too much to handle after he started to have issues with his heart.

The former Marine appeared in more than 80 films, as well as on television and the stage during his lengthy career that started in the early 1960s.

Hackman was married twice, most recently to classical pianist, and had three children with his first wife.

Last year, he and Betsy, a 63-year-old classical pianist, were seen out and about for the first time in two decades. 

Amid the shock news, comedian Dara O’Briain [pictured] and presenter Lorraine Kelly were among the famous names leading the heartfelt tributes for the star and his partner

Lorraine had some kind words to say about Gene as she appeared on Good Morning Britain before her show

Taking to X on Thursday morning, Irish funnyman Dara penned: ‘Ah, Gene Hackman. The finest screen actor ever, I think. Not a single duff performance, in a long, long career’

Hackman was spotted holding onto his wife’s arm for balance as the pair grabbed a bite at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Before the dinner date, Hackman enjoyed a cup of coffee and some apple pie from a local Speedway store.

The couple’s outing marks the first time they were seen together in public for 21 years, with the last time being at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, where he won the Cecil B. deMille award.

The legendary two-time Oscar winner and his long-time partner seemed to be in a good mood as they left the restaurant together. 

He told Reuters in 2008: ‘I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer.’

Hackman is seen with his wife Betsy Arakawa (pictured, right) in March 2024. It was the first time in two decades that the couple, had been married since 1991, w
ere seen out and about

‘I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer.’

He also explained his passion for writing novels, saying ‘I like the loneliness of it, actually. It’s similar in some ways to acting, but it’s more private and I feel like I have more control over what I’m trying to say and do.’