Unseen for much of the last two decades, Hackman won Oscars for The French Connection (1971) and Clint Eastwood ‘s Unforgiven (1992), and was Oscar-nominated for roles in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988). Awards notwithstanding, the respected and admired Hackman had a wide range.

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies found Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and a dog dead when they performed a welfare check, a spokesperson said.

As details slowly emerged about the death in New Mexico of legendary actor Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner whose career spanned five decades, tributes poured in from the entertainment world Thursday for a man who was a towering figure in the industry.