What if we told you that there’s an entirely different side to the late Gene Hackman that was hidden from the world for so long? We all know and remember the iconic Hollywood actor Gene Hackman for his incredible talent and unmistakable screen presence.

Millions of hearts around the world were shattered when news broke of his tragic passing alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

While many have come forward to share their condolences and tributes to the star, his fellow actor and longtime friend Morgan Freeman recently disclosed something about Hackman that could change how you remember him forever.

This revelation has sent shockwaves through the industry, revealing untold stories and secrets about the legend.

But what exactly did Morgan Freeman say about Gene Hackman?

Gene Hackman was that guy — the incredibly talented actor from the 70s and 80s who stole our hearts with his charm and undeniable skill.

But do you know that at the very beginning, Hollywood wasn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for Hackman? It wasn’t until 1967, when he snagged the role of Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde, that he earned his first Academy Award nomination.

Suddenly, Hollywood couldn’t get enough of him.

Throughout the 70s and 80s, Hackman was the definition of versatility and one of the biggest names in the industry.

However, in 2004, without much fanfare, he stepped away from Hollywood, leaving his passion for acting behind.

The only explanation the world got was a brief statement where he said, “I haven’t held a press conference to announce my retirement but yes, I’m not going to act any longer.

I miss the actual acting part of it as it’s what I did for almost 60 years and I really love that, but the business for me is very stressful.

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

This statement only set the stage for questions and speculation from fans and the Hollywood community.

Some argued he retired because he was sick and tired of the industry, while others speculated medical reasons might be behind it.

It wasn’t until a 2009 interview that Hackman finally confirmed why he left Hollywood.

The actor revealed that he had taken a stress test in New York, and the results showed his heart wasn’t in the kind of shape to endure any kind of stress.

Upon his doctor’s advice, he made the difficult decision to say goodbye to his six-decade-long acting career.

Hackman’s history with cardiac issues was long and difficult.

In 1990, he underwent an angioplasty—a procedure to widen narrowed or obstructed blood vessels.

This condition usually indicates early signs of heart disease.

Hackman was 60 at the time and had been experiencing chest pains that radiated down one arm while on vacation in Oregon.

When he visited the hospital, doctors revealed he was within hours of experiencing a heart attack.

Thankfully, the procedure was successful, but eventually, he had to step away to avoid further strain on his heart.

In addition to his heart issues, Hackman suffered injuries in 2012 when he was hit by a car while riding his bike in Islamorada, Florida.

A Toyota Tundra pickup struck his rear tire, throwing him off balance.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time, leading to serious injuries.

When news broke, fans were concerned, but his publicist downplayed the incident, saying Hackman was fine, just a few bumps and bruises, and already on his way home.

Eventually, Hackman moved away from Hollywood with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, to a quieter, more secluded life in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

There, he fell in love with different activities such as writing, fishing, painting, and watching low-budget films with his wife.

He wrote three historical fiction novels with archaeologist Daniel Lenihan, as well as westerns and police thrillers on his own.

Despite moving away, he still held the industry close to his heart and was fondly remembered by fans and colleagues turned friends.

Tragically, the world was thrown into shock and mourning when news broke on February 26th, 2025, that Hackman, his wife Betsy, and one of their three dogs were found dead at their Santa Fe residence.

Maintenance workers arrived for routine checks but found the door slightly open.

Concerned after knocking for several minutes with no answer, they alerted local security officers to conduct a welfare check.

Looking through the window, they found unresponsive bodies.

Emergency workers found Hackman lying in the mudroom, dressed in gray sweatpants, a blue long-sleeve t-shirt, brown slippers, and with a cane nearby.

A pair of sunglasses was found to his left.

One deputy suggested Hackman appeared to have suddenly fallen.

His wife Betsy was found in the bathroom, lying on her side with a space heater near her head.

The deputy suspected the heater may have fallen on her.

An open prescription bottle and scattered pills were found near her body.

Additionally, a dead dog was found near Betsy’s body, locked in a cage, while two other dogs roamed the property.

The report revealed a shocking detail: both Hackman’s and Betsy’s bodies showed signs of decomposition and mummification in their hands and feet.

Mummification happens when a body dries out and preserves itself instead of decaying quickly, usually in very dry environments that prevent bacteria and insects from breaking down the body.

This raised many questions about how long they had been deceased before discovery.

Data retrieved from Hackman’s heart pacemaker showed the last recorded activity on February 17th—about nine days before their bodies were found.

This fueled further speculation about the timeline and circumstances of their deaths.

Authorities launched an investigation, recovering items such as cell phones, prescription bottles, a 2025 planner, and even trash, hoping these clues would shed light on the couple’s final moments.

Initially, investigators suspected possible carbon monoxide poisoning, but this was ruled out after a gas company found no significant leaks.

There were no signs of forced entry or external injuries, deepening the mystery.

Neighbors and longtime friends Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, along with their son Aaron, shared concerns about Hackman and Betsy’s behavior in their final days.

They revealed the couple had become increasingly private, stopped receiving visitors, and ceased many activities.

Hackman’s health had deteriorated to the point that he was homebound, no longer able to ride his bike—a routine he once cherished.

Despite this, Betsy tried to keep him engaged with puzzles and Zoom yoga sessions.

Their last interaction with Betsy showed her excited about an upcoming event, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking.

While the world awaits the investigation’s final results, friends and family have spoken about Hackman’s legacy.

Among those who have shared their thoughts is Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman, who had a deep and personal connection with Hackman.

Freeman and Hackman were not just colleagues; they were lifelong friends.

They first crossed paths in the theater world early in their careers, bonding over their passion for acting.

Hackman was someone Freeman admired deeply, and when they worked together—most notably in the 1992 Western Unforgiven directed by Clint Eastwood—their chemistry was undeniable.

The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Hackman took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Freeman has admitted that working on Unforgiven was more than just delivering lines—it was a genuine interaction unlike any he had experienced before.

In one intense scene, Hackman’s character had to whip Freeman’s character.

Freeman confessed that Hackman’s acting was so convincing that he was genuinely scared of being hurt.

Hackman whispered in his ear, “I’m going to hurt you, and not gently like before, but bad.”

That statement sent shivers down Freeman’s spine, and he feared the whipping might be real.

Their collaboration continued in the 2000 thriller Under Suspicion, equally compelling.

Beyond their work, Freeman has spoken about the profound love and mutual respect between them.

He described working with Hackman as a joyful and easy experience.

Hackman, too, appreciated Freeman’s talent and dedication.

At the 97th Academy Awards in March 2025, Freeman paid a heartfelt tribute to Hackman.

Dressed in his signature tuxedo, Freeman addressed the crowd and fans worldwide: “This week, our community lost a giant, and I lost a dear friend.

Jean [Gene] Hackman was one of the greats—not just because he won two Oscars, not just because he made every role unforgettable, but because he brought truth to every character he played.

You never saw Jean acting; you saw real people, real emotions, and real stories.”

Freeman’s rare emotional speech touched many, especially when he said, “Thank you, Jean, for the years of brilliance, for setting the bar so high for other actors, and for being a dear friend.”

Morgan Freeman was not alone in his tributes.

Clint Eastwood called Hackman “the finest actor” and “a dear friend who will be missed very much.

” Francis Ford Coppola praised Hackman’s depth and inspiring work.

John Travolta shared memories and photos, recalling Hackman’s humor and remarkable skills.

Bill Murray, who worked with Hackman on The Royal Tenenbaums, described him as “a little irritable but ultimately a great guy.”

However, Hackman was not without controversy.

Behind the scenes, he was known for a fiery temper, clashes with directors, and moments of real-life aggression.

He was respected but sometimes feared for his blunt honesty and unwillingness to tolerate nonsense.

His high standards often led to tension on set.

One infamous feud was with director Wes Anderson during The Royal Tenenbaums.

Anderson’s meticulous style clashed with Hackman’s old-school approach.

Hackman frequently lost his temper, even mocking Anderson’s soft-spoken manner.

Despite the friction, Hackman’s performance was praised, and the film became a cult classic.

Bill Murray often stepped in to defend Anderson from Hackman’s outbursts.

Hackman also had a rough time with director Stanley Kramer on Domino Principal, with tensions boiling over multiple times.

The film met lukewarm reviews, and Hackman was glad to move on.

Outside of film, Hackman once punched a homeless man in 2001 after a heated argument during a walk with his wife.

The man had been aggressive and insulted Betsy, prompting Hackman to act in self-defense.

No charges were filed.

Financially, Hackman faced struggles due to tax liabilities and poor investments, despite his success.

He once borrowed his daughter’s car to attend meetings because he couldn’t afford a new one.

His dislike for Hollywood politics and red carpet culture was well-known, contributing to his retirement decision.

Hackman’s legacy is complex: a brilliant actor, a tough personality, and a man who refused to compromise his authenticity.

Even in death, he remains a fascinating figure whose controversies never overshadowed his exceptional talent.