Gene Hackman: A character actor who was spellbinding as tough guys and fools

The Oscar-winning American actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead in their home in New Mexico

Actor Gene Hackman has died aged 95 (AP)

Hollywood star Gene Hackman, known for The French Connection, Mississippi Burning and The Poseidon Adventure, was a character actor who often played tough guys before finding his comedic stride in films like The Royal Tenenbaums and Superman.

The two-time Oscar-winner died on Wednesday afternoon in Sante Fe, New Mexico, at the age of 95, along with his wife Betsy Arakawa, local police said.