Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, authorities revealed Friday.
NPR's Scott Simon remembers Gene Hackman, who played everymen, cops and villains over his long movie career. The 95 year old actor and his wife were found dead this week in their New Mexico home.
Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside a New Mexico home, as well as a dog. The door to the home was open when a maintenance worker discovered their bodies, an affidavit says.
Hackman epitomized a 1970s, edgy, tightly wound masculinity. He appeared in more than 100 movies and TV shows, and won Oscars for his performances in The French Connection and Unforgiven.
