Gene Hackman ‘feared death’ before passing

In a prescient interview prior to his death, the Hollywood Legend opened about the terror that kept him up.

Prior to his passing, Hollywood legend Gene Hackman candidly said he had a “fear” of death and he wanted his family to be “taken care of”.

The 95-year-old was found dead in his Santa Fe, Ne Mexico, mansion on Wednesday afternoon, US time.

His wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and one of their dogs was also deceased.

Mystery currently surrounds their shocking deaths as police say they suspect no foul play but are desperately awaiting a search warrant to enter the property.

Police have launched an “active investigation” into the deaths. Police stated that there are no immediate signs of foul play and have not disclosed a cause of death at this time.

In his nineties, Hackman outlived many of his peers. But years before he disclosed that the thought passing away caused him alarm.

Actor Gene Hackman holds the Cecile B. DeMille Award at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards 19 January 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by HECTOR MATA / AFP)

In 2008, Hackman, who by that pint had stopped staring in films, spoke to US talk show host Larry King about his health concerns.

“I have the normal fear of passing away. I guess we all think about that, especially (when) you get to be a certain age,” he told the now late CNN host.

“I try to take care of myself.”

He added that his primary fear, however, was for his family.

“I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of.”

He told late interviewer Larry King he “feared” death. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)

In 2004, Hackman has said that ongoing heart issues had made him rethink his career and whether he could continue acting.

“The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York,” he told Empire movie magazine.

“The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”

Santa Fe County sheriff Adan Mendoza told reporters that a “preliminary death investigation” was underway.

Actor Gene Hackman in scene from film "Behind Enemy Lines". /Films/Titles/Behind/Enemy/Lines

“This is an active investigation – however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”

“I want to assure the community and neighbourhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”

In an updated statement on Thursday morning local time police revealed further details.

“On February 26 2025 at approximately 1.45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa and a dog were found deceased,” a police statement said.

Originally published as Gene Hackman ‘feared death’ before passing