Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, did her best to prolong the iconic 95-year-old actor’s life by ensuring he stuck to a very strict diet, according to a pal of the late couple.
The couple, who had been married since 1991, were found dead alongside their dog at their Santa Fe, NM, home this week. No foul play is suspected, police said.
A cause of death has not been revealed, and an investigation is ongoing.
In the years leading up to his death, the two-time Oscar winner — who retired from acting in 2004 — was placed on a precise diet by his wife, Hackman’s friend and former business partner, Doug Lanham, told TMZ.
Lanham said that Arakawa — a classical pianist — closely monitored the “French Connection” star’s eating habits.
The legendary Hollywood actor would allegedly try to “sneak a cheat meal” whenever he hung out with Lanham, with whom he previously co-owned a popular Santa Fe-based restaurant.
The duo joined forces and became co-owners of the Jinja Bar & Bistro in the area before finally selling their stakes in 2018.
Visiting the restaurant was a sure-fire way to run into the “Unforgiven” actor, as he frequented the eatery for many years after stepping away from the spotlight.
Arakawa, 63, made sure that Hackman didn’t stray from healthy options on the menu, Lanham says, as she often had him order meals like “the halibut or rice-paper salmon.”
Recalling their time together, Lanham said Hackman would often pick up the tab for patrons visiting their restaurant.
Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa found dead in their home
It comes as the actor’s youngest daughter, Leslie Anne Hackman, 58, said he was “in very good physical condition” in the months leading up to his death.
The actor enjoyed a storied, four-decade career in Hollywood, starring in a diverse array of popular films such as “Hoosiers,” “The Poseidon Adventure,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “The Birdcage” and in the “Superman” series as Lex Luthor.
He won two Oscars: Best Supporting Actor in 1993 for “Unforgiven” and Best Actor in 1972 for “The French Connection.”
In addition to Leslie, Hackman is survived by his two other children, Christopher and Elizabeth Jean, whom he shared with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, who died in 2017.
