Charles Barkley just lost one of his favorites from the entertainment industry. Yes, one of the bright stars of the showbiz world, Gene Hackman, is no longer in this world. His death has even raised some suspicions, but it seems for now, positives and good memories of Hackman are all Barkley wants to talk about.
The world lost a true legend as Hackman passed away at the age of 95. And if you needed proof of just how much he meant to people, just listen to Charles Barkley. On The Steam Room, Barkley took a moment to honor the late actor, reflecting on his incredible career and the memories he left behind.
“I heard some news this morning that the great Gene Hackman had passed away. And I just want to say, hey man, you live the great life. 95, I think… Thank you for all the great memories he has,” Barkley said.
If you’re a movie fan, you know exactly what he’s talking about. Hackman wasn’t just another Hollywood star—he was the kind of actor who made every role feel special. Ernie Johnson, Barkley’s co-host, jumped in to highlight just how many great films Gene Hackman gave us over the years.
“Most people remember The French Connection… That’s way back… Him and Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven is tremendous,” Barkley added. And then there’s Hoosiers. If you love basketball, you’ve probably had the debate before—is it the greatest basketball movie of all time? Barkley sure thinks it’s up there. “Every role he played, he brought something special,” Johnson added.
RIP Gene Hackman 1930-2025
Such a brilliant actor. pic.twitter.com/UNPdHvWubr
— INostalgia ‘𝕏’ (@il0venostalgia) February 27, 2025
Sadly, Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home. A spokesperson for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office told KOAT that deputies were called on Wednesday afternoon following a 911 call. Sheriff Alan Mendoza stated that while their exact causes of death remain unknown, carbon monoxide poisoning has been ruled out.
Mendoza also noted that Hackman’s pacemaker stopped working on Monday, February 17.
Suspicions rise around Gene Hackman and his wife’s death
The couple was found dead in their New Mexico home on Wednesday, and now, investigators are calling the scene “suspicious.” As per an article by USA Today, a search warrant released Thursday sheds more light on the unsettling details.
According to Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Roy Arndt, Hackman and Arakawa were found in separate rooms of their sprawling Santa Fe home—the same place where the 95-year-old, two-time Oscar winner had lived a quiet life after stepping away from Hollywood.
Hackman was discovered in a mudroom near his cane as if he had fallen, while Arakawa, 64, was found in an open bathroom near a space heater. That alone is enough to raise questions, but then there’s this: an open prescription bottle with pills scattered on the countertop. A deputy also noted that Arakawa’s body showed signs of decomposition, bloating, and mummification of her hands and feet.
Even more unsettling? One of their German shepherds was found dead in a closet just 15 feet from Arakawa, while their other two dogs survived—one in the bathroom near her and the other outside.
Investigators say the scene is too suspicious to ignore, and now, they’re digging deeper. What really happened in that house? It’s all to come to light. The fact that remains for now is that Hackman’s legacy will live on. Whether it’s Hoosiers, The French Connection, Unforgiven, or one of the countless other classics, one thing is clear—Hollywood lost one of its greats, and fans like Barkley won’t forget him anytime soon.
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