Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were horrified over invasions of privacy, longtime publicist reveals

Gene Hackman’s longtime publicist has revealed that the Hollywood legend and his wife did everything they could to avoid the spotlight toward the end of their lives.The two-time Oscar winner, 95, former classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 65, and one of their three dogs were found dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26.Their deaths kickstarted a weeks-long investigation, which determined that Arakawa died first, followed by the “French Connection” actor about a week later.Hackman’s publicist Susan Madore, who had worked for the actor for 27 years, said the couple went to great lengths to maintain their privacy in recent years.Speaking at a Santa Fe hearing, Madore explained how Hackman once purchased a plot of land next to a garbage dump because he wanted a quiet place to ride his bicycle.“He wanted the privacy of being able to ride his bike without anyone following him or observing him,” she said of the “Unforgiven” actor.Madore added that Arakawa had called her to give her a heads up about the real estate purchase in case “anyone called asking why Mr.Hackman lived at the dump.”Elsewhere, the publicist revealed that CBS had requested an interview with Hackman months before his death, however, the actor had no interest in chatting about his life and career.Despite Hackman’s desire to remain off the radar, CBS allegedly told him that they planned to go ahead with their coverage anyway.

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“When I told Gene and Betsy, they were horrified,” Madore said, revealing that the network ultimately pulled the plug on the project after she pleaded with them.Elsewhere at the hearing, a Santa Fe judge honored the Hackman family’s request for an injunction blocking the release of some of...