Gene Hackman Worried About Family Before Health Concerns Ended His Hollywood Career

Hollywood has lost another legend. Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor who retired from the silver screen over 20 years ago, passed away at the age of 95 alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home. The circumstances of their deaths have been deemed suspicious by authorities, and an investigation is underway.

In a 2004 interview with Larry King, Hackman reflected on his mortality and priorities: "I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of fears." Those words resonate starkly now, as the world mourns the man who gave us decades of memorable performances.

Hackman’s career spanned nearly 60 years, but it wasn’t without its challenges. A severe bout of angina in 1990 forced him to undergo angioplasty, marking the beginning of his health concerns. By 2004, after the release of his final film, Welcome to Mooseport, Hackman officially retired, citing stress and health concerns as the primary reasons. "The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress," he later revealed. It’s a sobering reminder that even Hollywood’s giants are, at their core, human.

Despite his retirement, Hackman admitted to missing the craft of acting. "I miss the actual acting part of it," he told Reuters in 2008, "but the business for me is very stressful." He also opened up about the financial struggles that had pushed him to take on roles he wasn’t passionate about, including his iconic turn in Hoosiers. Funny how desperation can sometimes lead to greatness.

Hackman’s illustrious career earned him two Academy Awards, including a Best Actor win for The French Connection and a Best Supporting Actor win for Unforgiven. Yet, his career wasn’t always smooth sailing. The actor candidly discussed his financial woes, including a period when he was millions of dollars in debt. "I used to borrow my daughter’s car to go to interviews in Hollywood," he once admitted, proving that even the most celebrated stars sometimes struggle to keep the lights on.

In his later years, Hackman channeled his creativity into writing, penning several historical fiction novels. He also enjoyed an active lifestyle, cycling well into his late 80s. Even a 2012 bike accident in the Florida Keys couldn’t keep him off two wheels. The man was unstoppable—or so it seemed.

As we reflect on Hackman’s legacy, his words from a 2011 interview with GQ offer a fitting epitaph: "I want to be remembered as a decent actor. As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion." Honest, indeed. From Mississippi Burning to The Royal Tenenbaums, Hackman’s performances were nothing short of authentic, a testament to his unparalleled talent and relentless work ethic.

Gene Hackman may have exited the stage, but his impact on Hollywood—and on us—will endure for generations to come.