Hollywood icon Gene Hackman, his wife and one of their dogs were found dead in their New Mexico home, and investigators believe they had been dead for some time. A maintenance worker reported the deaths of Hackman and 65-year-old Betsy Arakawa on Wednesday,

Gene Hackman, who was known for films like "The French Connection" and also for his performance as Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeves-led "Superman" film in 1978, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home this past week.

In March last year, a frail-looking Gene Hackman clung onto the arm of his wife as they made their way to a local restaurant. It was the first time the couple had been seen in public for over 20 years.