Gene Hackman & Creativity

 

Did I figure I would ever write a blog mentioning Gene Hackman? Nope. I always thought that Hackman was a fine actor and his Oscar-winning role in Unforgiven was one of his best. A months ago I heard that he'd celebrated his 95th birthday and that he was living a creative and gentle life in New Mexico. It was a shock to see on Wednesday that the bodies of Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs were discovered in their Santa Fe home and that the circumstances were puzzling investigators.

I hadn't realized that Hackman was a writer and a painter with some of his works in a local cafe. He had also served on the trustees of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. After I was on retreat at Ghost Ranch, north of Santa Fe, years ago I got "stuck" in the city for an extra day because my flight out was cancelled due to severe thunderstorms in Dallas -- planes, trains, and automobiles. Having an extra day in Santa Fe is no punishment, especially since I'd scheduled a cushion day before going to work. Over the course of 24 hours I visited four museums, including the O'Keeffe. The city has art galleries on every corner and I rambled around back streets just to gawk at the unique architecture of southwest homes. 

I've written about the isolated retreat house called Casa del Sol at Ghost Ranch and how I would walk past Georgia O'Keefe's almost identical house on my way to the meal hall on the main campus. It really is mystical landscape attracting artists of various talents, including actors. 

We watched The French Connection last night in Gene Hackman's honour and the car chase scene is as thrilling as ever. I hope they can figure out what happened in these deaths and that he can be remembered fondly and with admiration. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–February 27, 2025–(Santa Fe, NM)–The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is deeply saddened by the passing of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.

From 1997 to 2004, Gene served on the Museum’s Board of Trustees, playing a vital role in shaping the Museum’s early years. Beyond his role as a Trustee, Gene contributed to the Museum in meaningful ways, notably as the narrator of the Perry Miller Adato film, Georgia O’Keeffe: A Life in Art. The Museum is grateful for his commitment to sharing Georgia O’Keeffe’s legacy and their deep support of the arts and cultural initiatives.

We extend our deepest condolences.