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Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, enjoyed a rare dinner outing in the final photos taken of the pair nearly a year before the duo were found dead on Wednesday.
The couple, who had been married since 1991, died alongside their dog at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home. No foul play is suspected, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, citing police.
The Hollywood legend, 95, and classical pianist, 63, were pictured together for the last time on March 28, 2024 during a sighting at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen in New Mexico.
Hackman, who had resided in Santa Fe with his wife since 2004, was seen holding onto her arm for balance as well as a cane during the outing.
In images obtained by The Post, Hackman wore khaki cargo pants, trail shoes, and a zip-up vest atop a check shirt. He completed his casual look with a beige cap and a pair of sunglasses.
Arakawa, for her part, wore a patterned shirt with a pair of blue jeans and brown suede boots.
The outing marked the first time the couple had been seen together in public for 21 years, with the last time being at the 2003 Golden Globes where Hackman was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
At the glitzy Los Angeles ceremony, Hackman received praise for “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment,” which was presented to him by Michael Caine and the late Robin Williams.
The following year, Hackman took his final bow in “Welcome to Mooseport” after which he retired from the screen — and stunts — to New Mexico.
Hackman confirmed his retirement in an interview years later during a press round to promote his third novel, “Escape From Andersonville,” in 2008.
“I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer,” the two-time Oscar winner said at the time.
“I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer.”
The beloved actor opened up about his love for writing, saying he liked “the loneliness of it.”
“It’s similar in some ways to acting, but it’s more private and I feel like I have more control over what I’m trying to say and do,” he said at the time.
“There’s always a compromise in acting and in film, you work with so many people and everyone has an opinion. … I don’t know that I like it better than acting, it’s just different. I find it relaxing and comforting.”
The actor enjoyed a storied, four-decade career in Hollywood, starring in a diverse array of popular films such as “Hoosiers,” “The Poseidon Adventure,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “The Birdcage” and in the “Superman” series as Lex Luthor.
He won two Oscars: Best Supporting Actor in 1993 for “Unforgiven” and Best Actor in 1972 for “The French Connection.”
Hackman is survived by three children, Christopher, Elizabeth Jean and Leslie Anne, with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese.