Posted on 03/14/2025 9:29:21 AM PDT by Red Badger
Surprising Detail, Twist In Gene Hackman's Will Revealed By Jason Hall
March 14, 2025
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Portrait Photo: Getty Images Legendary actor Gene Hackman's children were reportedly left out of his will, TMZ reports.
Hackman, 95, made his wife, Betsy Arakawa, the sole beneficiary of his fortune in 1995, leaving out his son Christopher and daughters Leslie and Elizabeth. Arakawa, 65, who is suspected to have died one week before her husband, had also reportedly listed Hackman as the sole beneficiary in her own will and documents allegedly show that her savings would be donated to charity if both died within 90 days of each other.
Awakawa's estate could still go to charity as New Mexico is a community property state while Hackman's estate could presumably go to his children, despite not being included in his will, as they are the most direct living heirs. Hackman's son, Christopher, the oldest of his three adult children, reportedly hired prominent California trust and estate attorney Andrew M. Katzenstein to challenge the will, according to TMZ.
Hackman was reported to have died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer's as a factor, while Arakawa was reported to have died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, New Mexico State Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell confirmed. Betsy is suspected to have died first as all outgoing communication from her cellphone and email ceased on February 11, the last day she was spotted publicly, while Gene is suspected to have died on February 18, as it was the last day his pacemaker registered data, though Dr. Gerald specified that there was no reliable scientific method to determine an exact time for either death.
The couple's dog, Zinna, was found dead inside a locked crate by first responders, while two others were reported to have wandered the property for days and guided first responders to the legendary actor. Officials reiterated that foul play was not suspected in Hackman and Arakawa's deaths and the scene was tested for carbon monoxide, with only a minute leak found that was deemed to be insignificant.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, and his wife were married for 34 years. Police reportedly found the couple at around 1:45 p.m. local time on February 26. Hackman's legendary acting career spanned more than 60 years, providing an everyman believability to numerous iconic roles, including playing Jimmy Doyle in The French Connection (1971) and Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven (1992), which won him the Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.
The California native was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for roles in Bonnie & Clyde (1968) and I Never Sang for My Father (1971), as well as Best Actor for Mississippi Burning (1989). Hackman is also remembered for playing arch villain Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), as well as Coach Norman Dale in Hoosiers (1986) and Royal Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) among numerous other iconic roles.
Wow, that sounds horrible. It is so tragic how money-grubbers can destroy a family.
That’s terrible! Seems that Asian wifey might’ve been one of those emotionally abusive control freaks who intentionally isolate the controlled person from friends and family.
Never expected it and once the true evil and greed revealed itself, I had a few decisions to make.
The first was forgiveness.
“If you have anything against anyone, forgive them”
There’s no wiggle room in this.
“...forgive me for my sin in the same way I forgive others...”.
Do we REALLY want this?
So I forgive. And I’m free.
Matthew 18 and the parable of the unmerciful servant; the one who was tortured and in prison by his own actions was the one who did not forgive. Like him, when we fail to forgive, we imprison ourselves with the torture of our own making. Careful!
The second is boundaries. Limitations we impose to prevent others from doing further harm.
These are separate matters and have moved me to a healthy life, free from bitterness, or malice and free from further harm. The trust and will decisions are simple and secure boundaries for me.
I’ve learned, because I’ve seen in real life that the LOVE of money is indeed the root of evil.
While they still rage amongst themselves, sentenced to their own tortuous prison, I’m at peace with my Creator.
I wish each of then the very best.
His name is Jesus.
I don’t know, but it sounded like he had next to no contact with his children from the moment of his divorce. They understood to never rely on him for anything
Also, he admitted to not being the most attentive or caring parent...even from the start, while he was married to their mother
Disturbing.
“You reap what you sow”, right?
So true... some people should not have children
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