Iconic actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, passed away earlier this year at their home in New Mexico. Now, “The French Connection” star’s personal memorabilia, as well as his art collection and other precious items, are heading to auction.
“Together, these sales offer an intimate portrait of Hackman’s private world and a rare opportunity for collectors to engage with his creative life,” Anna Hicks, Bonhams Head of Private & Iconic Collections, US, said in statement about the sale. “Whether through the art, scripts, or personal objects, what emerges is more than a collection â it is a life lived with purpose, curiosity, and uncompromising vision.”
Gene Hackman’s Memorabilia Will Be Sold at Auction
New York-based auction house Bonhams is the company behind “The Gene Hackman Collection: A Life in Art,” which begins November 19.
The auction house describes the collection as “a deeply personal survey of Modern and American art assembled by the legendary actor, to be offered in a dedicated Single-Owner sale.”
Thirteen pieces of art from artists such as Auguste Rodin, Milton Avery, and Richard Diebenkorn, are included in the estate.
“His art collection reflects the same intellectual rigour and emotional depth that defined his acting â built not by trends, but through instinct and curiosity,” Bonhams explained.
Milton Avery’s “Figure on the Jetty” — which Hackman purchased in 1997 — is estimated to be worth between $500,000 and $700,000. Other pieces in the collection have similar valuations, including Richard Diebenkorn’s “Green.”
“These are prestigious works with impeccable provenance, further enriched by their association with one of the greatest actors of our time,” said Andrew Huber, Bonhams Head of 20th & 21st Century Art. “Hackman was not only a collector but an artist himself, and his approach to collecting mirrors the care, aesthetic sensibility, and discipline evident in his own artistic practice. This is a collection shaped with extraordinary thoughtfulness and passion.”
An online-only portion of the auction, set to begin November 8, will include a still life painting by the actor himself as well as two of his Golden Globe Award statuettes.
Hackman’s Golden Globes for Best Performances in “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “Unforgiven” are both set to hit the auction block.
Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa Passed in February
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home in February 2025.
Prior to their deaths, Hackman was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and his wife took on the role of sole caregiver. It was later revealed that Arakawa died after contracting hantavirus.
An autopsy later determined that Hackman’s cause of death was heart disease.
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