United Kingdom, March 1 -- Gene Hackman's health was "really slipping" in the months before his death, according to family friends.

The 95-year-old actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in separate rooms of their Santa Fe home on Wednesday (26.02.25) and their friends, married couple Daniel and Barbara Lenihan and their son Aaron, explained that the 'The French Connection' actor's health had been declining "in recent times".

Speaking to People, Daniel explained that Hackman was "essentially kind of home-bound" and Barbara confirmed that the Oscar-winner had "quit riding his bike through the neighbourhood" around a year ago.

Aaron revealed that Betsy had been doing her best to keep her husband "active and engaged".

He s...