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 nonwithstanding, the respected and admired Hackman had a wide range.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office initially indicated "foul play was not a factor," but investigators quickly reversed that statement, calling the deaths "suspicious" amid an ongoing investigation.