Gene Hackman. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
The staggering net worth of legendary actor Gene Hackman has been revealed following the tragic news of his death at 95.
Authorities said the iconic star, his wife pianist Betsy Arakawa, 63, and one of their dogs, was found dead at their longtime mansion in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The two time Oscar-winner and Arakawa tied the knot in 1991. They had no children together.
Hackman was married to his first wife, Faye Maltese, from 1956 to 1986.
He is survived by three children Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie – who he shared with Maltese – and grandchildren.
The award-winning actor’s shock death sees him leave behind a mega fortune for his family.
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Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa. Picture: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
Law enforcement officials outside Hackman’s home. Picture: AP Photo/Roberto Rosales
What was Gene Hackman’s net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Hackman amassed a vast fortune of $US80million ($A128 million).
The US Sun reports Hackman’s wealth was attributed to his several years as a successful Hollywood actor and novelist.
The actor’s role in 1978’s “Superman” was among his highest-earning projects, bringing in $US2 million.
He reportedly earned $US1.3 million each for “The Quick and the Dead” and “Lucky Lady”. For “The French Connection”, he reportedly made $US100,000.
After retiring from acting in 2004, Hackman took up painting and fishing and penned three historical fiction novels.
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Hackman as Detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in “The French Connection”.
(Left-Right) Leonardo DiCaprio, Gene Hackman, Sharon Stone and Russell Crowe in 1995 film “The Quick and The Dead”.
Where did Gene Hackman live?
Santa Fe Mansion
Hackman and Arakawa resided on a large 12-acre compound in Santa Fe, New Mexico, until their deaths.
According to Realtor, “The Royal Tenenbaums” star purchased the property in the 1980s for an undisclosed amount and spent years working to turn the home into an idyllic escape from the pressures of Hollywood.
The residence boasts at least four bedrooms and 360-degree mountain views that stretch as far as Colorado.
When Hackman purchased the home in the 1980s, he quickly set about renovating it, explaining to Architectural Digest in a 1990 interview that he preferred to “interpret what’s already there” rather than tearing it down to make way for a new dwelling.
“I think it’s like being an actor. I interpret what’s already there. I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he told the outlet.
“I guess I like the process, and when it’s over, it’s over.”
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Gene Hackman’s longtime home in New Mexico. Picture: Google Earth
At the time, he described Santa Fe as having “a kind of magic in it,” explaining that he fell in love with the region after filming several movie projects there — and set about establishing his 10th home in the region.
Hackman became so enamoured with the home that he built a second property on the land in 2000, turning it into the perfect hideaway from Hollywood, where he ultimately spent much of his final years.
He confessed that his New Mexico property was “totally different” from his other residences because it wasn’t as “formal.”
In recent years, it has been estimated that the property is worth around $US3.8 million ($A6.1 million).
Hackman described Santa Fe as having “a kind of magic in it”. Picture: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Montecito property
The actor and his wife previously owned a three-storey villa in Montecito, California, which he sold in 1985 for $US5.5 million.
The property came complete with a marble reception hall, a 35-foot-long living room, a dining room, an elevator, and a grand staircase.
It also boasted a stunning swimming pool and sweeping views of the ocean.
The Hackmans decided to part ways with the property because they wanted to move back to Los Angeles.
Pebble Beach home
The actor also previously owned a 4-acre property in Pebble Beach, California, which featured four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms.
Hackman sold the property in 1993.
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The actor also previously owned a 4-acre property in Pebble Beach, California. Picture: Realtor
Gene Hackman’s career
Hackman was born in California in 1930 and left his family home at the age of 16 to serve in the Marine Corps from 1947 to 1952.
He then worked as a broadcast journalist before landing his big break in the 1967 film, “Bonnie And Clyde.”
Hackman received multiple Oscars during his acting career, which spanned across six decades.
In 1972, he secured an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in “The French Connection,” and he took home a Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven.”
Hackman famously portrayed supervillain Lex Luthor in the 1978 “Superman” film, which starred Christopher Reeve and Marlon Brando.
He reprised his role in 1980’s “Superman II” and 1987’s “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.”
Parts of this story first appeared in The US Sun and Realtor and were republished with permission.
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