Gene Hackman’s secret Hollywood fistfight REVEALED three months after tragic death at 95

Gene Hackman’s secret fistfight in Los Angeles – along with the star’s hilariously petty response – has been revealed three months after his shock death at 95.

The double Oscar winner, who passed away in February alongside wife Betsy Arakawa at their Santa Fe home, was known for his pugnacious temperament, and hit back in spectacular fashion when he was harassed by a rude LA driver.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail for Real Story special,  Breaking Down the Mysteries around Gene Hackman’s Sudden Death presented by Guy Adams, the Unforgiven star’s longtime friend dished on his explosive roadside spat.

Doug Lanham, who first met Hackman in 2004 at his eatery, the Jinja Bar & Bistro, said: ‘There was a time Gene was coming down where he was living [in LA] 

‘These guys recognized him and they started harassing him a little bit.

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Gene Hackman’s secret fistfight in Los Angeles – along with the star’s hilariously petty response – has been revealed three months after his shock death at 95 – pictured as  brutal sheriff ‘Little’ Bill Daggett in Unforgiven in 1992

The bodies of Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found partially mummified at their Santa Fe mansion on February 26 [Gene and Betsy in 2003]

‘So they were stopped at a stop light and they bumped him from behind. Gene being Gene , puts it in drive, goes forward, puts it in reverse and then whacks them.

‘And then they go to the next stoplight, these two guys, two of them get out of the car and Gene gets out of the car, and they go for it.’

Miming punching, a chucking Lanham continued: ‘And I ask Gene, “how did you do?” 

The star responded: ‘Well I was on my back and I kinda looked up over my head and there’s a bus stop with a poster and there I was on the poster!

‘And I was like “Hackman what the hell are you doing?”

Hackman fled LA for New Mexico when he retired from acting in 2004. 

Known for his tough onscreen roles, Hackman won his second Oscar in the Supporting Actor category for his role as brutal sheriff ‘Little’ Bill Daggett in Unforgiven. 

The film also won Best Picture and Best Director for Clint Eastwood and and Best Film Editing for Joel Cox.

Doug Lanham, who first met Hackman in 2004 at his eatery, the Jinja Bar & Bistro, said: ‘There was a time Gene was coming down where he was living [in LA] ‘These guys recognized him and they started harassing him a little bit’

The star’s friend revealed Hackman had taken his revenge after a driver bumped him after shouting abuse (pictured 2001 in The Royal Tenenbaums)

The star responded: ‘Well I was on my back and I kinda looked up over my head and there’s a bus stop with a poster and there I was on the poster!’- pictured at the 1993 Oscars with Clint Eastwood

Hackman also won the Best Actor Oscar for the 1971 film French Connection 

His last film was the 2004 political comedy Welcome to Mooseport and this time his retirement was permanent.   

The final autopsy results for Hackman detailed the beloved Oscar winning actor’s extensive medical history two months after he and his wife were found dead inside their home.

Hackman had ‘a ‘history of congestive heart failure’ and ‘severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys,’ Fox reported, citing the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico.

He had a ‘bi-ventricular pacemaker’ since April 2019 and ‘neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease,’ according to the autopsy.

‘Autopsy showed severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement,’ the documents stated.

‘Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large. Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease.’

Police have since determined that Arakawa died first around February 12 as a result of respiratory symptoms caused by the rare but deadly Hantavirus, which is passed on through rodent urine, saliva and feces. She was 65.

Hackman tested negative for Hantavirus.

Hackman and Arakawa married in 1991; pictured together in 2003 in Beverly Hills

A report obtained by DailyMail.com indicated that Arakawa had bookmarks on her computer suggesting that she had been researching medical conditions with symptoms similar to Covid-19 or the flu prior to her death.

‘Testing for carbon monoxide was less than 5 percent saturation, in keeping with a normal range,’ the medical examiner noted.

Hackman also had trace amounts of acetone in his system at the time of his death, which could be a product of ‘diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis.’

Hackman, who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease at the time, is believed to have wandered around the couple’s home alone after his wife’s death.

Due to the condition, he may not have ever realized his wife had died. 

The actor died nearly a week later around February 18, from severe heart disease, while Alzheimer’s and kidney disease were contributing factors. 

A week after the bodies were discovered, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a health assessment on the property.

The department concluded that dead rodents and their nests were found in ‘eight detached outbuildings’ on the Hackman property, making it a ‘breeding ground’ for the hantavirus. 

The deadly hantavirus typically spreads through rodent urine and droppings that one may come into contact with when cleaning a basement or an attic.

There were droppings found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on the property.

Additionally, there was a live rodent, a dead rodent and a rodent nest found in three more garages on the property, according to the inspectors.

There were also two vehicles seen on the estate that had evidence of rodents, and they even found traps in the buildings as well, suggesting this had been an ongoing issue for the Hackmans.

The health assessment was conducted to assess whether first responders or others who were on the property were safe from the virus.

Police have since determined that Arakawa died first around February 12

Cops who combed their home following the gruesome discovery shared bodycam footage which captured how the couple’s other heartbroken dog watched over Betsy’s lifeless body as it lay surrounded by clutter. 

A series of heartbreaking notes were also found dotted around the house, each exchanged between the couple and showing their affection for one another until the end.

Photos of their adored German Shepherds also adorned tables and sideboards, with smiling pictures of the couple with their old pets dating back years.