Gene Hackman's costar Gary Sinise says star was living 'quiet life' outside Hollywood before mysterious death
The Santa Fe County (New Mexico) Sheriff's office told Fox News Digital early Thursday morning, "On February 26, 2025, at approximately 1:45 p.m., Santa Fe County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park, where Gene Hackman, 95 and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased."
Sinise, who worked with Hackman in the 1995 film "The Quick and the Dead," told Fox News Digital he woke up early on Thursday and immediately saw the news of Hackman's death. The "CSI: NY" star had several questions.
"He's 95 years old, but his wife was in her 60s. So, like, what's going on there? You know, did something happen and was he not doing well?" Sinise wondered.
"It just seems very odd that also, their dog is gone. You know, like, what did they do… what happened?"
"I think he was painting. He was doing a lot of that and living a quiet life in New Mexico."
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department revealed autopsies were completed on both Hackman and his wife. No external trauma was seen on either the actor or his musician wife. Authorities continue to investigate the couple's deaths as official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending.
Sinise shared that he didn't stay in touch with Hackman after his retirement, but was aware of his "quiet life" in New Mexico with his wife.
WATCH: GARY SINISE SAYS GENE HACKMAN WAS LIVING A 'QUIET LIFE' OUTSIDE OF HOLLYWOOD BEFORE HIS DEATH
"I know once he retired to New Mexico, he was retired. He did not want to come back and get any awards or, you know, go to any Hollywood events or anything like that. He was done and he was moving on from that part of his life," Sinise told Fox News Digital.
"I think he was painting. He was doing a lot of that and living a quiet life in New Mexico."
Sinise said Hackman has always been one of his role models.
"I just loved his approach. I loved his persona. I loved everything about him. And as time would go on, it was just like Gene never, ever failed. He could be in a movie that might be less successful than the one previous or whatever. But Gene Hackman was always outstanding," he said.
"I mean, he just never phoned it in. He was just a really fine actor to model after. I just wanted to be like Gene Hackman, you know, not that I ever turned out to be like Gene Hackman, but I had something to aspire to back then, and he was among my very favorites."
WATCH: GARY SINISE SAYS GENE HACKMAN WAS ONE OF HIS BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS
Sinise's latest project, "Brothers After War," is a documentary about Iraq war veterans. The project reunites the film's creator, Jake Rademacher, with his brothers after war in the Middle East.
Sinise, who is an executive producer on the movie, said Rademacher decided to reunite with his brothers 10 years after his first documentary film, "Brothers At War," debuted.
Sinise told Fox News Digital that his foundation wants to help as many service members as possible through the production of this documentary.
"Soldiers and service members coming back from war and having a difficult time, it can be very hard. And we all know the difficulties that we've had with suicide in the military and all of that. We want to provide as many healing opportunities and healing services, of the Gary Sinise Foundation, for our service members as possible," he said.
WATCH: GARY SINISE HOPES VETERANS SEE HIS NEW MOVIE, 'BROTHERS AFTER WAR'
"And I think 'Brothers After War' can have a lot to do with getting our service members to open up about what they're actually feeling, what they've been through. And it can be… a real opportunity for them to share their stories and then move on. We want them all to move on. Just like Lieutenant Dan and Forrest Gump. He goes through a lot of bad stuff. But what's happening? What happens at the end? It's a happy ending for him, and we want the happy ending for everybody who serves in our military and goes off to war and comes home."
"Brothers After War" is in theaters now.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
16 minutes ago
- New York Post
Las Vegas tourism is sinking — and younger Americans could be to blame
The latest statistics confirm the social chatter that Las Vegas tourism has hit a dramatic low, with some even calling Vegas an experience of the past. Only 3.1 million people visited Sin City in June, down 11.3% compared to last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Advertisement Social media users have called out the high prices of everything from dining to parking, citing these and other reasons for staying away. Robby Starbuck, conservative activist and host of 'The Robby Starbuck Show,' told Fox News Digital it is not just prices that are keeping people out of Vegas. 'Now nearly everyone under 40 who bets seems to do it online,' Starbuck said this week. 'I don't know one person under 40 who goes to Vegas regularly to bet or play slots,' he added. Advertisement 'This trend will continue with younger people because, honestly, our minds are wired differently.' The U.S. online gambling market in 2024 was estimated at $12.68 billion, according to Grand View Research. Tom Reeg, Caesars Entertainment CEO, said it would be a 'soft summer' on a recent earnings call, according to local reports. 3 The latest statistics confirm the social chatter that Las Vegas tourism has hit a dramatic low. lucky-photo – Advertisement Starbuck said generational differences also could be pushing down the popularity of visiting Las Vegas. 'Another differentiator is that older generations focused on real-life interaction, while younger generations feel just as content with parasocial online experiences,' he said. 'The Vegas marketing image is one centered on slots and showgirls, two things young people have no interest in,' said Starbuck. He added, 'The typical casino feel and marketing just won't be as successful with young people who have 40 options to gamble on their phones from the comfort of their own home.' Advertisement 3 Only 3.1 million people visited Sin City in June, down 11.3% compared to last year. SvetlanaSF – An additional generational difference, Starbuck pointed out, is that younger generations are ditching the bottle. 'Younger generations drink alcohol at lower rates than older generations did at their age. That's going to have a material impact on the Vegas business model if young people drink less,' he said. The number of people in their 20s who chose to abstain from alcohol more than doubled between 2001 and 2019, going from 9% to 22%, according to a 2019 National Drug Strategy Household survey. And a recent Gallup survey found that roughly 38% of adults under age 35 now identify as fully abstaining from alcohol. In addition, more than a quarter of Gen Z respondents felt 'very concerned' about the potential health effects of drinking alcohol, according to Civic Science. Hotel rates down, too The hotel industry is also feeling the burn of fewer visitors. Occupancy rates dropped 6.5%, while average daily room rates have lowered to $163.64 – down 6.6%, according to the LVCVA. Advertisement Meanwhile, a 43-story hotel and casino has been put on an indefinite pause, SF Gate reported. The property has a prime location on the Vegas strip and will remain an empty lot for parking for now. Starbuck said he's been to Las Vegas a number of times in his life and doesn't see himself visiting again unless there is a change. 3 The hotel industry is also feeling the burn of fewer visitors, according to reports. Kristof – Advertisement 'If it feels like a place where I can see the future and bring my whole family, then you'll see me in Vegas again,' he said. 'Without that kind of transformation, Vegas is in trouble in the coming decades,' he predicted. 'If Vegas wants to win with young people in the future, it's going to have to transition to a must-see destination that makes you feel like you have just entered the future.'
Fox News
29 minutes ago
- Fox News
Brandi Glanville suffers severe chemical burns on her face while trying to self-treat mystery illness
Brandi Glanville is sharing a painful beauty lesson with fans after suffering severe chemical burns to her face. The former "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star took to social media to reveal that she smeared Nair, a hair removal product, on the lower half of her face in an attempt to drive out what she believes to be a "parasite" living in her face – one she has named "Caroline." "I know I look attractive," Glanville, 52, joked in a TikTok video as she documented the aftermath. "Good news," she added, "You don't have to spend a lot of money on peels and lasers anymore." While the reality star laughed off the incident in her video, the visuals told another story. Glanville's face appeared red, irritated and burned. In the video, she went on to explain that she believed applying Nair would aggravate the parasite, leading to an improvement in her complexion. "Nair is the fountain of youth. I figured it out," "The Traitors" star said. "But I overdid it." In a caption accompanying the viral clip, Glanville warned viewers to test the product before applying it. "Beauty hacks (this is a good one but do a test patch) I did 7 minutes and I'm on fire soooioko don't to 7 minutes it also burned the loose skin off my arms & its 7 dollars mix up some aloe vera, cucumber and black tea put it in the freezer put it in the spray bottle and once its cold enough spray all day cause I'm in some pain." Followers were quick to express concern, as many urged Glanville to seek professional medical advice before attempting any more DIY treatments. "NAIR is not meant to be a chemical peel. Brandy, please don't do anything that's not recommended by a professional doctor. & even then be cautious & get second opinions. This can be so dangerous. I hope you have a speedy recovery," one user commented. Another added, "Please do NOT put Nair [on] your face!!" "Nair is NOT the fountain of youth! I hope you heal well, because that looks like a terribly, painful, infected burn," a comment read. Glanville's beauty mishap occurred after she was rushed to the hospital in April after calling 911 herself amid her ongoing battle with a possible parasite. The "Real Housewives" star shared an update with fans on social media at the time. "My head and neck would not move for four hours this morning," the 52-year-old TV star wrote. "I could not get out of my bed. I called 911 had a lovely trip in the ambulance now I am at this amazing place after sitting in a wheelchair in the waiting room for four hours." The reality star did not share specific details of her emergency room visit. Fox News Digital reached out to a representative for additional information.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
GOP showdown: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson accuses Rep. Nancy Mace of 'ranting and raving'
EXCLUSIVE – As she launched her campaign for South Carolina governor, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace took aim at what she called "weak leadership" in the state. The statement from Mace, which was reported first by Fox News Digital on Monday, appeared to be a subtle dig at the state's Republican leaders, including longtime South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is a top rival for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Mace and Wilson are considered the front-runners in a crowded GOP primary field in the 2026 race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who is the Palmetto State's longest-serving governor. Wilson, in an exclusive national interview with Fox News Digital a couple of hours after Mace announced her candidacy, argued that "Mace has been ranting and raving for the last six months about running for governor without actually saying it." Mace told Fox News a week and a half ago, ahead of her campaign launch, "I will fight to the finish, and I will take out South Carolina's Attorney General, because he's turned a blind eye on women and on children and on the state for a lot of reasons. He might force me to do this." Mace, in a bombshell speech on the U.S. House floor in February, alleged that Wilson ignored evidence of sexual assault against her and other women. In her hour-long speech, Mace accused four men, including her ex-fiance, of sexual crimes and said she was among the victims. Wilson vehemently denied Mace's accusations, saying at the time "that allegation was never made to me — no one in my office." Wilson, in a recent statement to Fox News, argued that "Mace is a liar who will do anything to get attention to distract from her liberal voting record. I've served our country and dedicated my civilian career to protecting children." And pointing to Mace, Wilson said on Monday that "it's obvious to me that she thinks about me more than I think about her. I've been very busy doing my job here in South Carolina and I really don't pay that much attention to this person." "I'm not running against anybody," he added. "I'm running for the people of South Carolina." Wilson said as he campaigns for governor, he's "trying to have a message that is uplifting, a message that is aspiration, and I'm trying to demonstrate to the people of South Carolina that I have a record of accomplishment, a record of success and I would be a stable hand on the wheel of South Carolina." And in what appeared to be a jab at Mace, he added, "I believe that you can be an agent of change and reform for our state without being an agent of chaos." Wilson showcased what he called his "real record of accomplishment, supporting and defending victims of crime in South Carolina as well as going after public officials who commit corrupt acts." And pointing to an issue that Mace regularly spotlights, Wilson said "when it comes to standing up to women and girls in sports and protecting women in private spaces, I'm the only candidate who's been in court defending South Carolina's laws." Mace kicked off her gubernatorial campaign with an event at Charleston's Citadel, which is South Carolina's military college and her alma mater. Mace made history as the first female graduate of the Citadel's Corps of Cadets. But Wilson, in his Fox News Digital interview, highlighted his long military career. "The governor of South Carolina is the commander-in-chief of the South Carolina National Guard," he noted. "I've got nearly 30 years in the military. I have served a combat tour in Iraq. I'm currently a colonel in the national guard. And I'm the only person in this race with real combat experience." And pointing to his support from law enforcement, Wilson said that he's been endorsed by 26 sheriffs across the state, including all five in Mace's congressional district in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Wilson said his priorities as governor would be "focusing on reforming our education system, investing in our infrastructure, getting rid of fraud, waste and abuse, eliminating the income tax, and being more accountable to the people of South Carolina will be my priorities." Mace and Wilson are facing off in the Republican gubernatorial primary along with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Ralph Norman, and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell. President Donald Trump remains neutral so far in the primary. Trump's grip over the GOP, thanks to his 2024 victory to win back the White House, is stronger than ever, and his endorsements in GOP nomination races are extremely influential. Asked if she could land the president's endorsement, Mace told Fox News Digital recently that "I'll be working very hard if I get in to earn his support." And in her campaign launch video, Mace used clips of Trump calling her a "fighter" in a speech, and adding that "when she sets her sight on something, she's tough." But Wilson emphasized he's "supported President Trump as attorney general since his first term…I have defended the president in court. I have defended his agenda in court. I have a great relationship with the president." Wilson added, "I intend to earn his endorsement and earn his support the way he has earned mine. And I've had his back for the last eight or nine years."
