# Pilates, painting and bike rides: Gene Hackman's life in Santa Fe

## Introduction

Gene Hackman was a normal person in Santa Fe. And he really loved that.

Residents in the New Mexico city say they were excited to welcome such a massive celebrity to the community when he and his wife Betsy Arakawa arrived more than 20 years ago, but they treated him like anyone else.

> "He wasn't famous here," said Stuart Ashman, executive director of the Artes de Cuba gallery. "The community embraced him."

This article focuses on the iconic film star's life in Santa Fe, New Mexico, exploring his emotional journey, artistic contributions, and the community's warm reception.

## The Art of Gene Hackman

Hackman was a lover of the arts and a painter himself. Santa Fe is known for its iconic adobe architecture and is home to more than 250 galleries.

Everywhere in Santa Fe is colorful, from the woven tapestry hanging on shop walls to the clothes people wear and even their personalities. The city's vibrant culture and arts scene make it a beloved destination for many.

Mr Ashman first met Hackman at a community arts meeting. He was running late and there was one seat left when he arrived: next to the Hollywood star.

They shook hands and that started two decades of friendship.

> "He was so down to earth that you didn't realize that you were talking to a celebrity," Mr Ashman said. "He was more interested in you than in telling you about himself."

While both men supported the arts community, their real bond came through Pilates workouts when they took back-to-back private lessons.

When asked who was better, Mr Ashman laughed. "I think we're both pretty bad," he said. "Our teacher said I was lazy and he was older and stiffer."

## The Home of Art and Music

Hackman's paintings are displayed prominently at local restaurants, and there are a few lucky residents who have them hanging in their homes. One of those people is Stuart Ashman, the executive director of the Artes de Cuba gallery.



Santa Fe is home to more than 200 art galleries.

Perched on a 12-acre plot, the property has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, with vistas stretching as far as Colorado.

Hackman purchased the home in the 1980s before starting expansive renovations. He wanted this home to have meaning, so he worked with an architect to blend Pueblo, Colonial, and Spanish Baroque architectural styles to pay homage to Santa Fe's rich cultural history.

Arakawa also enjoyed her secluded life in Santa Fe. People I spoke to said she was a talented pianist and smart business woman.

The only person who liked working out more than Hackman was Betsy. They said she was in incredible shape, always attending exercise classes.

## The Life of a Celebrity

Though Hackman was an active member of the community for most of his post-Hollywood years, he became much more isolated after Covid-19 lockdowns. Some say his health and age made mobility too difficult to wander down the hill into town. But everyone still had a story about Hackman.

James Roybal, a native of Santa Fe, once signed up for a pastel painting class in the 1980s and when he arrived Hackman was also there.

> "We painted next to each other for a bit, making small talk. He started to go through the stop sign at that time, and suddenly saw me stopped, waved, smiled, held up both hands, you know, like in a surrender," he recalled. "And I just smiled and kept going."

At a local restaurant in town, customers told me they'd see him at the grocery store, or shopping on the high street.

David, the general manager of a shop in downtown Santa Fe where Hackman was a long-time patron, was holding back tears, remembering his friend and client.

> "Since he lived here, he wanted to use his money towards the local people. He always bought Seiko watches from my store for his friends and family. He invested in local restaurants and grocery stores, and showed up to openings for art museums. It obviously wasn't because he needed the money, but because he loved the local flare," he said.

> "We lost a great Santa Fein."

## Death of Hackman and Wife

Over the past few days, people have been discussing the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.

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