Gary Sinise reflects on Gene Hackman’s life before 'very odd' death, says he was 'done' with Hollywood

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: Gary Sinise, who co-starred with Gene Hackman in the 1995 film 'The Quick and the Dead', shared his disbelief after hearing the news of the actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa's mysterious deaths.

“He’s 95 years old, but his wife was in her 60s. So, like, what’s going on there? It just seems very odd that also, their dog is gone. You know, like, what did they do… what happened?” Sinise told Fox News.

Gary Sinise opens up on Gene Hackman's life of seclusion

Although Sinise had not been in close contact with Hackman, he acknowledged the actor’s decision to withdraw from the public eye.

“I know once he retired to New Mexico, he was retired. He did not want to come back and get any awards or go to Hollywood events. He was done and moving on from that part of his life,” Sinise noted.

After stepping away from Hollywood in 2004, Hackman chose a life of quietude, immersing himself in painting and personal projects. "I think he was painting. He was doing a lot of that and living a quiet life in New Mexico," said Sinise.

“He never phoned it in,” Sinise recalled, adding, “He was just a really fine actor to model after. I just wanted to be like Gene Hackman.”

Investigation continues in Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, along with their pet dog.

Authorities confirmed that the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call at approximately 1.45 pm at the couple’s residence on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park.

“No external trauma was observed,” officials reported, though the cause of death remains under investigation as autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending.

Hackman's longtime family friends Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, along with their son Aaron, spoke about the actor and his wife's final months.

Speaking to People, Daniel Lenihan revealed that Hackman had become "essentially kind of homebound" in recent years.

Barbara noted that about a year ago, the actor stopped his routine bike rides around the neighborhood, a significant change in his active lifestyle. 

Aaron shared that Arakawa tried to keep her husband engaged in daily activities like puzzles and Zoom yoga sessions.

Gary Sinise’s mission beyond Hollywood

While remembering Gene Hackman, Gary Sinise also spoke about his latest project, Brothers After War', a documentary focused on Iraq war veterans.

As an executive producer, Sinise aims to shed light on the struggles veterans face when returning home.

“We want to provide as many healing opportunities as possible,” he explained.

“Brothers After War can be an opportunity for service members to open up and share their experiences,” said Sinise, who has been a long-time advocate for veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation.