Gene Hackman's nephew, Tim Hackman, 51, spoke exclusively with The Daily Mail, disclosing how the family had initially planned for Betsy Arakawa to handle funeral arrangements, given the couple's 31-year age gap. Betsy was 63, and Gene was 95.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa attend the Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race in Long Beach, California, on April 4, 1987 | Source: Getty Images
Tim explained, "So the preparedness of it was that he would go first and that we would probably, maybe, depending on whatever it was [Betsy] had set up, would go down there and pay our condolences and everything." With both passing unexpectedly, those plans have been disrupted.
Tim expressed uncertainty about what will happen next, "Now with this, it significantly changes things. I have no idea what - I'm assuming one of his kids will probably take over - and [plan]. I don't know. It's still very, very early."
Tim said the family first learned of Gene and Betsy's deaths through Gene's daughter, Leslie, who had maintained the most contact with them. He recalled receiving the news on Wednesday night before it became public.
The loss came as a shock, especially since Gene's health issues were never openly discussed within the family. "I mean, he was old. I'm sure he had some [health] concerns, but nothing that was shared," Tim said.
Although Tim last saw his uncle more than a decade ago—at his father Richard's funeral—he emphasized that Gene was not estranged from the family. Instead, Gene preferred a quiet life in New Mexico and rarely traveled.
Most communication with him came through Betsy, who provided updates on his well-being. Tim described Betsy as Gene's primary caregiver, crediting her with helping him live as long as he did. "She'd just always say, 'Oh, [Gene's] doing good.' I mean, he was moving around a lot for 95," he recalled.
As the family mourns, it remains unclear who will handle Gene's funeral arrangements.
