What's Not Being Discussed About Gene Hackman's Death

The actor's passing has haunted me because it brings up some terrifying issues

Welcome to this installment of Popcorn Disability, where I look at disability through the lens of popular culture. If you want to read the full story consider becoming a paid-subscriber. Not only do you get access to the awesomeness below, but you’ll be able to read every paid post including our monthly watch diaries, disability stories, and more. I also cross post these over at The Film Maven Patreon where you can subscribe, at the same price, without supporting Substack itself. Subscribe and show your support for independent journalism.

When the Santa Fe Sheriff announced the cause of death for actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, last week it was reported as “natural causes.” Arakawa died of hantavirus, a rare disease spread via rodent droppings, while Hackman, who died a week later, was reported as dying of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, with advanced Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor.

It’s hard to say either of those deaths is particularly natural, specifically Harakawa’s. There’s only been 864 cases of hantavirus in the United States between 1993, when surveillance of the disease first started, and 2022. And if you’re saying, “Okay, but Hackman died of heart disease. That’s natural” I’d still be inclined to disagree. Remember, the elderly are anticipated to die quickly and, really, any demise at the age of 95 is perceived through the lens of natural.