The Three Grown Children Of Gene Hackman: Their Current Ages And Lives After The Actor's 2025 Passing

The legacy of legendary two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman continues not only through his iconic filmography but also through his three children. As of December 2025, the curiosity surrounding the family life of the intensely private, recently deceased actor has peaked. Hackman, who retired from acting in 2004, maintained a quiet life in Santa Fe, New Mexico, until his passing earlier this year, leaving behind three adult children from his first marriage: Christopher Allen Hackman, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, and Leslie Anne Hackman.

This article provides an in-depth, up-to-date look at the ages and current lives of Gene Hackman's children, detailing their careers and their relationship with the celebrated star of films like The French Connection and Unforgiven. The information is current and framed by the recent news of the actor’s death in February 2025, an event that brought the family back into the public spotlight.

Gene Hackman: A Biographical Profile and Family Foundation

Eugene "Gene" Allen Hackman was a towering figure in Hollywood, known for his versatility and gritty, authentic performances. His personal life, however, was marked by a desire for privacy, especially after his retirement.

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• Full Name: Eugene Allen Hackman
• Date of Birth: January 30, 1930
• Place of Birth: San Bernardino, California, U.S.
• Died: c. February 18, 2025 (at age 95)
• Spouse (1): Faye Maltese (m. 1956; div. 1986)
• Spouse (2): Betsy Arakawa (m. 1991; d. 2025)
• Children: Christopher Allen Hackman, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, Leslie Anne Hackman (all with Faye Maltese)
• Key Career Highlights: Two Academy Awards (Best Actor for The French Connection, Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven), four Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation.

Hackman’s first marriage to Faye Maltese, which lasted 30 years, was the period during which his three children were born and raised. The strains of his demanding acting career and frequent absences while on location were often cited as factors in the marriage's eventual end in 1986. Following his divorce, he married classical pianist Betsy Arakawa in 1991, with whom he lived until their deaths in early 2025 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Christopher Allen Hackman: The Eldest Son (Age 65)

Christopher Allen Hackman is the eldest of Gene Hackman’s children. Born in 1960, he is currently 65 years old. Christopher’s life, much like his father's post-retirement, has been largely out of the intense Hollywood spotlight.

A Career Path Behind the Scenes

Unlike his famous father, Christopher did not pursue a career in front of the camera, but he did connect with the entertainment industry through a different path. Reports indicate that Christopher Allen Hackman has a background as a computer programmer and has worked on software development. He has also shown an interest in filmmaking, following in his father’s footsteps by working behind the scenes in a technical capacity.

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The relationship between Christopher and the retired actor was reportedly strong. Gene Hackman often expressed pride in his son, though details of their private life remain scarce, respecting the family’s desire for privacy. Christopher’s age places him firmly in the baby boomer generation, having witnessed his father's meteoric rise to fame in the 1970s.

Elizabeth Jean Hackman: The Private Middle Child (Age 62)

The second child and eldest daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, was born in 1962, making her 62 years old today. Elizabeth has maintained an even lower profile than her brother, with very little public information available about her professional life or career path.

Rare Public Appearances and Family Ties

Elizabeth Jean Hackman's public visibility has been minimal, primarily limited to a few rare appearances alongside her father during his peak career years. She notably attended screenings of some of his major films, such as Superman in 1978. These sporadic appearances are the only glimpses the public has had into her life, underscoring the family's commitment to keeping their children out of the celebrity machine.

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Despite her reclusive nature, Elizabeth was recently mentioned in the media following the tragic news of her father and stepmother's passing in February 2025. Her brief public comment regarding the disposition of the family dog, Zinna, highlighted her role in the family affairs following the Santa Fe event, indicating she remains a close part of the Hackman family structure.

Leslie Anne Hackman: The Youngest Daughter (Age 58)

The youngest of the three siblings is Leslie Anne Hackman, born in October 1966. Leslie is currently 58 years old. Like her sister Elizabeth, Leslie has successfully avoided the public eye, managing to live a highly private life away from the glare of Hollywood.

The Challenge of a Celebrity Childhood

Leslie Anne Hackman and her siblings grew up during a time when their father was constantly working, a period Gene Hackman himself admitted placed a strain on his relationship with his children. He often spoke candidly about the difficulties of balancing a demanding career with fatherhood, a common theme for many actors of that era. Leslie’s childhood was spent navigating the reality of a famous parent who was frequently away filming blockbuster movies like The Poseidon Adventure and Mississippi Burning.

While the specifics of Leslie Anne Hackman's profession are not widely known, her recent public appearances following the news of her father’s death—including being spotted in Los Angeles—suggest she, too, is managing the complex affairs of her late father's estate and legacy. The private lives of the Hackman children are a testament to Gene Hackman's success in shielding them from the negative aspects of fame, allowing them to forge their own paths outside of the spotlight.

The Hackman Children Today: A Shared Legacy of Privacy

The current ages of Gene Hackman's children—65, 62, and 58—place them as established adults who have already lived the majority of their lives outside of their father's shadow. Their mother, Faye Maltese, who divorced the actor in 1986, was instrumental in maintaining their privacy during their formative years. The children share a unique bond, having been raised together while their father was away building one of the most respected careers in cinematic history.

The tragic and recent passing of Gene Hackman and his second wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, in February 2025, has inevitably drawn renewed attention to Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. This event has highlighted their role as the inheritors of a monumental artistic legacy and the custodians of their father’s memory. The children, now in their early to mid-sixties, continue to honor the privacy that their father so fiercely protected, choosing to mourn and manage their family affairs away from the public eye that their father dominated for decades.

Their collective decision to remain private figures, despite their famous parentage, is perhaps the most enduring part of the legacy of the retired actor. They represent the quiet, grounded reality that existed behind the celebrated, complex characters Hackman brought to life on screen.