Gene Hackman death updates: Family releases statement as police investigate ‘suspicious’ circumstances

On Instagram, Paltrow issued a wordless tribute to Hackman, sharing an image of them both with Luke Wilson on the set of Wes Anderson’s 2001 dramedy The Royal Tenenbaums.

Paltrow played the daughter to Hackman’s wacky patriarch.

Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and his granddaughter, Annie, have shared a statement with the New York Post.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” they said.

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa,” the statement continued. “We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

TMZ has obtained the 911 call that first alerted police to the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa.

In the call, an unidentified man who describes himself as the “caretaker for the subdivision” can be heard telling an operator to dispatch police to the couple’s residence.

When the operator asks for details about the “patients”, the caretaker replies that he doesn’t know.

“Send somebody up here real quick,” he says through tears. “I’m not inside the house, it’s closed. I can’t go in, but I see them. She’s laying down… over from the window.”

When the operator asks if they appear to be awake, he replies: “No, no, no, no.”

Asked if they’re moving, he contines: “No, dude, they’re not moving. Just send somebody out here. Really quick.”

The operator assures him that units are on the way, and the caretaker says he will meet them at the property’s “gatehouse.”

Jennifer Love Hewitt, who starred with Hackman in 2001 crime rom-com Heartbreakers, said in a statement to E! News:

“I was one of many lucky enough to work with Gene Hackman. He was light and talent and goodness. We will all miss you.”

Nathan Lane, who worked with Hackman in The Birdcage, praised the late acting great in a statement to Variety:

“Gene Hackman was my favorite actor, as I think I told him every day we worked together on The Birdcage. Getting to watch him up close, it was easy to see why he was one of our greatest. You could never catch him acting. Simple and true, thoughtful and soulful, with just a hint of danger. He was as brilliant in comedy as he was in drama and thankfully his film legacy will live on forever. It was a tremendous privilege to get to share the screen with him and remains one of my fondest memories. Rest in peace, Mr. Hackman.”

Clint Eastwood, who directed and starred alongside Hackman in 1992’s Unforgiven and 1997’s Absolute Power, said in a statement to Variety: “There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.”

EGOT-winning actor Viola Davis remembered Hackman in a post on Instagram, writing: “Loved you in everything! The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven—tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”

The Simpsons actor Hank Azaria, who starred alongside Hackman in the 1996 romp The Birdcage, has paid tribute to his late co-star.

On X, Azaria wrote: “It was an honor and an education working with Gene Hackman. Mike Nichols said of his genius character acting: “He always brought just enough of a different part of the real gene to each role he played.” Sending all my love to his family & friends.”

The deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been ruled “suspicious,” according to a search warrant affidavit.

Despite earlier speculation, the document adds that there was “no obvious signs of a gas leak.”

Morgan Freeman has paid tribute to Hackman on X/Twitter, writing: “One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film Gardé a Vue (Under Suspicion) to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman. And of course… Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend.”