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Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, enjoyed a rare dinner outing in the final photos taken of the pair nearly a year before the duo were found dead on Wednesday.

The couple, who had been married since 1991, died alongside their dog at their Santa Fe, NM, home. No foul play is suspected, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, citing police.

The Hollywood legend, 95, and classical pianist, 65, were pictured together for the last time on March 28, 2024 during a sighting at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen in New Mexico.


  Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, enjoyed a rare dinner outing in the final photos taken of the pair last year. / SplashNews.com Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, enjoyed a rare dinner outing in the final photos taken of the pair last year. / SplashNews.com

  The couple, who had been married since 1991, died alongside their dog at their Santa Fe, NM, home. / SplashNews.com The couple, who had been married since 1991, died alongside their dog at their Santa Fe, NM, home. / SplashNews.com

  The couple was found dead along with their dog. Facebook / Animal Rescue, Inc. The couple was found dead along with their dog. Facebook / Animal Rescue, Inc.

Hackman, who had resided in Santa Fe with his wife since 2004, was seen holding onto her arm for balance as well as a cane during the outing.

In images obtained by The Post, Hackman wore khaki cargo pants, trail shoes and a zip-up vest atop a check shirt. He completed his casual look with a beige cap and a pair of sunglasses.

Arakawa, for her part, wore a patterned shirt with a pair of blue jeans and brown suede boots.

The outing marked the first time the couple had been seen together in public for 21 years, with the last time being at the 2003 Golden Globes where Hackman was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award.


  Hackman was seen relying on the help of a cane during the outing. / SplashNews.com Hackman was seen relying on the help of a cane during the outing. / SplashNews.com

  The Hollywood legend, 95, and classical pianist, 63, were pictured together for the last time on March 28, 2024. / SplashNews.com The Hollywood legend, 95, and classical pianist, 63, were pictured together for the last time on March 28, 2024. / SplashNews.com

  The couple was found at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home. Jerry Ruelas for the NYPost The couple was found at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home. Jerry Ruelas for the NYPost

At the glitzy Los Angeles ceremony, Hackman received praise for “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment,” which was presented to him by Michael Caine and the late Robin Williams.

The following year, Hackman took his final bow in “Welcome to Mooseport” after which he retired from the screen — and stunts — to New Mexico.


  Santa Fe County deputies remain outside the house belonging to actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were earlier found dead. Associated Press Santa Fe County deputies remain outside the house belonging to actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were earlier found dead. Associated Press

  No foul play is suspected, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, citing police. Associated Press No foul play is suspected, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, citing police. Associated Press

Hackman confirmed his retirement in an interview years later during a press round to promote his third novel, “Escape From Andersonville,” in 2008.

“I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer,” the two-time Oscar winner said at the time.


  The Hollywood icon had resided in Santa Fe with his wife since 2004. / SplashNews.com The Hollywood icon had resided in Santa Fe with his wife since 2004. / SplashNews.com

  The outing marked the first time the couple had been seen together in public for 21 years. / SplashNews.com The outing marked the first time the couple had been seen together in public for 21 years. / SplashNews.com

“I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer.”

The beloved actor opened up about his love for writing, saying he liked “the loneliness of it.”

“It’s similar in some ways to acting, but it’s more private and I feel like I have more control over what I’m trying to say and do,” he said at the time.

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa found dead in their home

“There’s always a compromise in acting and in film, you work with so many people and everyone has an opinion … I don’t know that I like it better than acting, it’s just different. I find it relaxing and comforting.”

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.


  Hackman has won two Oscars, for “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven.” / SplashNews.com Hackman has won two Oscars, for “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven.” / SplashNews.com

  The actor’s final movie role was 21 years ago in 2004’s “Welcome to Mooseport.” / SplashNews.com The actor’s final movie role was 21 years ago in 2004’s “Welcome to Mooseport.” / SplashNews.com

He won two Oscars: Best Supporting Actor in 1993 for “Unforgiven” and Best Actor in 1972 for “The French Connection.”

Hackman is survived by three children, Christopher, Elizabeth Jean and Leslie Anne, whom he shared with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, who died in 2017.

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