Hackman was found dead with his wife Betsy Arakawa on Wednesday, Feb. 27

Gene Hackman‘s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman, and granddaughter Annie are “devastated by the loss” of the iconic actor.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss,” daughters Elizabeth Hackman, Leslie Hackman and granddaughter Annie Hackman shared in a statement to

Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. The cause of their deaths is now part of an active police investigation and has been described by a Santa Fe detective as “suspicious” according to a new TMZ report.

Gene Hackman with his kids, Leslie, Christopher, and Elizabeth in 1978. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Hackman was a legendary screen actor with roles in The French Connection, Superman and The Royal Tenenbaums. His wife Arakawa was a classical pianist.

The pair married in 1991. Hackman shared three children with his first wife Faye Maltese — Christopher Allen Hackman, 63, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, 61, and Leslie Ann Hackman, 57. 

Gene Hackman. Robert Mora/Getty

Hackman’s legacy is also being remembered by famous costars, including Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman.

“There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note,” Eastwood, 94, who directed and starred opposite Hackman in the 1992 Western Unforgiven, shared in a Feb. 27 statement. “He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much,” he added.