The late Oscar winner reconciled with his children before he died

HOLLYWOOD icon Gene Hackman was poised for A-list success when he became a father to three children.

The legendary actor welcomed son Christopher and daughters Elizabeth and Leslie in the 60s, during his marriage to his first wife Faye Maltese.

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Gene Hackman, who has died aged 95, had three childrenCredit: Splash

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But juggling fame with fatherhood came at a priceCredit: AP

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Gene spoke over the years about how his career affected his children’s livesCredit: Getty
But with his career about to take off, Oscar winner Gene later admitted that his relationship with his children had suffered.

Now, following the shock news that Gene, 95, has been found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, in their New Mexico home, we take a look back as his life as a father.

Early struggles

Gene and Fay Maltese’s first child, Christopher Allen Hackman, was born in 1960.

He was followed by sister Elizabeth Jean two years later, and baby Leslie Anne arrived in 1966.

But life in the early days was tough for the family, who were living in a tiny apartment in New York.

Despite his eventual fame, Gene was a struggling actor at the time and their property was a “cold water walk up” in the city.

This type of apartment had no hot water, shower or central heating and tenants would often need to heat water on a stove for baths.

Gene eventually landed several successful stints on Broadway, which paved the way for his screen career in Hollywood.

But the trappings of their new showbiz life simply had other consequences for the children.

In 2011, Gene said in an interview with GQ: “You spend so many years wanting desperately to be recognised as having the talent and then when you’re starting to be offered these parts, it’s very tough to turn anything down.

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“Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time.

“The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me. I wasn’t able to handle that.”

Famous father

Gene got his big break in 1967, when landed a supporting role in Bonnie and Clyde.

It was the start of a huge Hollywood film career, with him bagging parts in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven and Superman in the 70s.

But his hectic schedule meant he was “gone too long” and his relationship with Faye, his children’s mother, came under strain.

The couple divorced in 1986.

Now living in California, the state in which Gene was born in 1930, he had fast become a recognised A-list star.

Living with a famous father, however came at a price.

Gene described his fame as “hanging over their heads”, as Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie attempted to go about daily life.

Speaking to the The Irish Independent in 2000, he admitted: “It’s tough being the son or daughter of a celebrity.

“I couldn’t always be home with them when they were growing up and then, living in California, they’ve had my success always hanging over their heads.”

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Gene previously admitted that his fame ‘hung over his children’s heads’Credit: Getty

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He also found himself away from home for months at a time while shooting moviesCredit: Getty

‘Losing touch’

Gene even admitted that his relationship with his eldest child, son Christopher, suffered to the point where they “lost touch”.

The actor also told GQ in 2011: “I lost touch with my son in terms of advice early on.

“Maybe it had to do with being gone so much, doing location films when he was at an age where he needed support and guidance.

“It was very tough for me to be gone for three months and then come home and start bossing him around.”

Gene married his second wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa in 1991.

The couple set up home together and it was later reported that her presence helped to mend his relationship with his children.

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Gene, pictured with his daughters, admitted he ‘lost touch’ with his son Christopher for a whileCredit: Getty

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The actor’s second wife Betsywas credited for helping to rebuild his relationship with his kidsCredit: AP

Making amends

According to a report in the Chicago Tribune in 1994, Betsy was keen to help him rekindle things so encouraged him to start inviting Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie round to the house.

The moments were said to be “invaluable” to Gene.

In 2020, four years before his retirement from acting, insiders confirmed his relationship with his grown up children – and by then, grandchildren – was firmly back on track.

A source told Closer Weekly: “He wishes he’d been around more for his children, but now he’s close with them and their kids.”

Towards the end of his life, his family were the few people Gene would see.

Keen to reside away from the spotlight that he once craved, he would spend his days reading and writing novels instead.

He told Reuters: “I like the loneliness of [writing], actually. It’s similar in some ways to acting, but it’s more private.”

Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie, whose mother Faye died in 2017, have also shunned a life in the spotlight, choosing to live their lives out of the public eye.

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Gene and Betsy were married for more than 30 years before their deaths this weekCredit: AP

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The star hid away in his later years, only seeing his children and grandchildrenCredit: Getty