Gene Hackman’s Friend Rules Out Suicide As Cause Of Death

Doug Lanham, a longtime good friend of Gene Hackman, has damaged his silence, providing insights into the person behind the actor, sharing private reminiscences and a deep sense of loss.

The loss of life of Hollywood legend Hackman and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, has left many with extra questions than solutions. The couple was found lifeless of their Santa Fe dwelling on February 26, 2025, and theories surrounding their deaths have rapidly surfaced.

Hackman, greatest recognized for his Oscar-winning roles in movies like “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” was a deeply personal particular person who saved his private life removed from the general public eye. Lanham, who first met the actor in 2004, recollects a person vigorous, humor, and eccentricities.

The 76-year-old Lanham recalled the early days of his friendship with Hackman. Their preliminary connection was sparked at a cocktail party, the place Hackman and his spouse, Betsy, joined Lanham and his spouse at his Santa Fe restaurant, Jinja.

Over time, their bond deepened, and Lanham shared his struggles with Hackman. “He was very personal, however as soon as the belief was there, this door opened, and it was magical,” Lanham instructed the Daily Mail.

Hackman confided in Lanham about his troublesome childhood, recounting the emotional trauma of being deserted by his father and shedding his mom in a hearth.

“His early days weren’t good,” Lanham mentioned. “His father bought in his automobile, waved at Gene. Even at a younger age, he knew he would not see him once more.”

These private tales gave Lanham a window into the struggles that formed the person who would later change into a Hollywood icon.

Hackman’s friendship with Lanham was not nearly shared hardships but additionally full of humor and mischief.

Lanham fondly remembers Hackman’s playful facet, notably his elaborate pranks. Some of the memorable incidents occurred at a elaborate occasion at Las Campanas Nation Membership.

Hackman used a water gun full of purple wine to shock unsuspecting visitors. “Gene heads over to one of many water buckets… he busts out of there, turns into The Good, the Unhealthy, and the Ugly, and goes, ‘You’d higher run.'”

This mischievous spirit was a constant trait in Hackman’s character. He usually shocked his buddies along with his unconventional antics.

At one other gathering, Lanham wore cowboy apparel, solely to search out that Hackman had opted for informal clothes, teasing Lanham for his overly ready outfit.

“The place’d you go, the props division for all that sh-t?” Hackman quipped, including to the legend of the actor who was as a lot a personality off-screen as he was on-screen.

Hackman’s loss of life, together with Betsy’s, has sparked quite a few theories on the web. Police initially prompt the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning however later dominated this out.

In accordance with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s workplace, an post-mortem revealed that Hackman’s pacemaker had stopped recording his heartbeat on February 17, 2025, suggesting that he had handed away a number of days earlier than his physique was found.

Lanham was devastated by the information of his good friend’s loss of life however stays adamant that no foul play was concerned.

“I simply cannot course of what occurred,” Lanham shared, his voice trembling. “We might all sort of anticipated it, he is 95, and in among the photos in direction of the top there he was trying frail. However to learn and listen to what occurred, I nonetheless have a tough time understanding. As a result of they had been so dignified and so in love with one another.”

Given Hackman and Arakawa’s deep affection for one another and their beloved canines, whom they thought-about household, Lanham finds it onerous to imagine that both of them would have deliberately harmed themselves.

“In case you knew the love they’d for these doggies, they had been an enormous a part of their life,” he mentioned.

Hackman was recognized for his highly effective performances in basic movies all through his illustrious profession. But these closest to him bear in mind him for his playful nature and the deep love he shared along with his spouse.

Lanham recollects when Hackman flew Burt Reynolds in his stunt airplane whereas filming “Fortunate Woman,” the place Hackman’s high-flying stunts left Reynolds visibly shaken.

“Burt did not final too lengthy. Gene was flying the wrong way up, performing some loops,” Lanham mentioned, chuckling.

Past the pranks and laughter, Lanham says Hackman’s biggest legacy is his profound affect on these fortunate sufficient to know him.

“Gene was the lifetime of the occasion,” Lanham recalled. “At my marriage ceremony, I lookup and see Gene and Betsy getting a conga line going with 20 of the visitors… he was main the entire thing, smiling, hollering and having an unimaginable time.”

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s relationship was certainly one of deep love and mutual respect, one thing Lanham witnessed firsthand.

Arakawa was fiercely protecting of her husband, all the time searching for his well-being. This safety prolonged to maintaining photographers at bay at personal occasions.

“She was very protecting,” Lanham mentioned, noting how she saved Hackman on a nutritious diet regardless of his occasional rebellions.

“He all the time ate wholesome together with her. However then we would exit and play golf, I would look over and he’d have this f-cking honey bun that was a foot lengthy. It was large.”

Their bond was unshakeable, and Arakawa’s energy and care saved Hackman grounded. “If it wasn’t for Betsy, Gene would’ve been broke or lifeless,” Lanham mirrored, highlighting her pivotal function in his good friend’s life.

Because the investigation into Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths continues, Lanham’s reminiscences function a testomony to the couple’s enduring love and the heat they dropped at these round them.