Francis Ford Coppola and Star Trek actor George Takei leads the heartfelt tributes to ‘one of the true giants of the screen’ Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa after the couple were found dead in their Santa Fe home

Huldesten started to flow in for Hollywood -legend that Hackman and Woman Betsy Arakawa after the news of their death on Thursday.

The couple, who had been married since 1991, was found next to their dog. Local media have reported that no false game is suspected.

And in the midst of the shock news, filmmaker Frances Ford Coppola and George Takei were the famous names that led the sincere tribute to the star and his partner.

Going to X on Thursday morning, George, known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, Helmsman of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek, a moving tribute to the deceased actor.

He shared: 'We have lost one of the real giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play everyone, and you could feel a lifetime behind it. He could be everyone and nobody, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That is how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever. '

Filmmaker Frances Ford Coppola, who worked with Gene in the film The Conversation from 1974, wrote about Threads: 'The loss of a great artist, always reason for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman A great actor, inspiring and beautiful in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss and four his existence and contribution. '

While Irish Funny Dara wrote: 'Ah, Gene Hackman. I think the best screen actor ever. No Duff performance, in a long, long career. And the best delivery ever of one word: when he “cigars!” In the young Frankenstein. '

In the meantime, who appeared on Good Morning Britain when the news broke out, Lorraine shared: 'That is a real shock, I just read about what a great actor he is, if you think of the films he has been in … French connection, everyone remembers that! Great, beautiful movie! I had no idea he was 95! That is really very sad. '

The host continued: 'He is an absolute icon, brilliant. He was so funny in Birdcage … he could do drama, he could do comedy, he could definitely do everything. '

Huldesten have begun to flow in for Hollywood -Legend Gene Hackman and Vrouw Betsy Arakawa after the news of their death on Thursday

Legendary Hollywood star Gene Hackman, depicted in the film The French The French Connection from 1971, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their house in Santa Fe

Filmmaker Frances Ford Coppola, who worked with Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation, wrote on Threads: 'The loss of a great artist, always reason for both mourning and celebration'

Taking to X on Thursday morning to X, Star Trek actor George Takei placed a moving tribute to the deceased actor

Studiocanal UK's Instagram -Page Shared Images Of Gene in their releases the conversation and a narrow margin while they paid tribute

The Instagram page of Studiocanal UK shared images of gene in their releases the conversation and a narrow margin while they paid tribute to the star.

The film studio wrote: 'What a colossal loss for Cinema if we lose one of the best to do it – Gene Hackman.

“We are enormously sad because of his death and we send our deepest condolences.”

Elsewhere, fans quickly shared their destruction about the loss of the film icon, with X, previously known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.

They wrote: 'I loved Gene Hackman. He dressed every film in which he found himself and withdrew after acting to only become a fiction writer. What a life! '

“Sad news to see that the legendary actor Gene Hackman has disappeared but not forgotten.”

'The rasp, the twinkle, the charm, the cheek, the explosive threat, the vaulted pitch, the intelligence, the heartbreaking tenderness and vulnerability, the impressive presence, on and further, Gene Hackman was easily my favorite actor. TEAR. “Miss Teschmacher!” '

“There will never be another actor like him. An absolute giant from Cinema. Rip Gene Hackman '

'I have always admired Gene Hackman, I don't think I've ever watched him in a movie where he wasn't great. RIP and thank you for all the beautiful movies. '

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza did not cause a cause of death, nor he said when the couple were to died when he was asked by local media.

Two-time Oscar winner Hackman had just turned 95 at the end of January. He was known as a withdrawn person, because he did not play in a film since 2004, when he played Monroe 'Eagle' Cole in the political satire welcome in Mooseport.

In the middle of the shock news, George Takei [pictured]Comedian Dara O'Briain and presenter Lorraine Kelly were one of the famous names that led the sincere tribute to the star and his partner

Dara O'Briain [pictured] was full of praise for gene after his death

Lorraine had a friendly words to say about Gene when she appeared on Good Morning Britain for her show for her show

On Thursday morning to X, George, known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, Helmsman of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek, a moving tribute to the deceased actor

Irish Funnyman Dara wrote: 'Ah, Gene Hackman. I think the best screen actor ever. No Duff performance, in a long, long career '

Lorraine appeared on Good Morning Great -Britain and shared: 'That is a real shock, I just read about what a great actor he is, if you think of the films in which he has been'

“He is an absolute icon, brilliant. He was so funny in Birdcage … he could do drama, he could do comedy, he could definitely do everything '

Studiocanal UK's Instagram -Page Shared Images Of Gene In their releases the conversation and a narrow margin while they paid tribute to the star

The actor was first pushed into the spotlight when he played in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, and he played the leading role in a whole series of beloved films and TV programs such as Superman, the French connection and Get Shorty, to name just a few.

But in 2004 he announced that he was ready as an actor. He packed his things, left Los Angeles for the silence of New Mexico – and he never looked back.

Some initially thought that the shocking decision had to do with his marriage. But Hackman actually stopped acting because of the serious stress he was under, which became too much to tackle after he started having problems with his heart.

The former Navy appeared in more than 80 films, as well as on television and the stage during his long career that started in the early 1960s.

Hackman was married twice, most recently with the classic pianist, and had three children with his first wife.

Last year he and Betsy, a 63-year-old classical pianist, were held up for the first time in two decades.

Elsewhere, fans quickly shared their destruction about the loss of the film icon, with regard to X, previously known as Twitter, to share their thoughts

Hackman was seen holding on to the arm of his wife for balance when the couple grabbed a bite in Pappadeaux's Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Before dinner, Hackman enjoyed a cup of coffee and some apple pie from a local Speedway store.

The outing of the couple marks the first time that they were seen together in public for 21 years, with the last time at the Golden Globe Awards 2003, where he won the Cecil B. Demille Award.

The legendary double Oscar winner and his old partner seemed to be in a good mood when they left the restaurant together.

He told Reuters in 2008: “I did not hold a press conference to announce pensions, but yes, I will no longer act.”

“I was told not to say that in recent years, in case there is a really beautiful part, but I really no longer want to do it.”

He also explained his passion for writing novels and said: 'I actually love its loneliness. It is similar to acting in some ways, but it is more private and I feel that I have more control over what I am trying to say and do. '

'There is always a compromise in acting and in film, you work with so many people and everyone has an opinion. … I don't know I like it more than acting, it's just different. I find it relaxing and reassuring. '

Hackman is seen with his wife Betsy Arakawa (photo, right) in March 2024. It was the first time in two decades that the couple had been married since 1991, was seen and round

Gene Hackman, seen here with Estelle Parsons in 1967, was a double Oscar winner and had just turned 95 at the end of January

Born in California on January 30, 1930, the actor had hired himself in the army after he lied at the age of 16 and served four and a half years.

After moving to California after his military service, he decided to pursue acting after he had lived in New York briefly.

Hackman started his acting career almost 70 years ago and joined the Pasadena Playhouse in 1956, where he became friends with colleague -aspirant actor Dustin Hoffman.

He eventually moved to New York in 1963 and started performing in various off-Broadway theater pieces and smaller TV roles.

The Thespian really made his name in the 1970s, when he was nominated for an Oscar in the best supporting actor category for the 1970 film, I never sang for my father.