Gene Hackman. Photo: Vera Anderson/WireImage Gene Hackman, the screen actor with iconic roles in The French Connection and Superman, has died. He was 95. The actor and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe Summit on Wednesday, reported the Santa Fe New Mexican, citing County Sheriff Adan Mendoza who confirmed to the outlet that the couple had died, along with their dog.