'Hoosiers' Lead Actor Dead at 95

Gene Hackman was found dead alongside his wife and dog on Wednesday afternoon.

Gene Hackman. Shutterstock photo.

SANTA FE - Gene Hackman, his wife and dog, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday afternoon, according to multiple reports. 

Hackman, an Academy Award winning actor, is perhaps best known for his role in Clint Eastwood's Western film Unforgiven (1992), but residents of Indiana and basketball fans across the country may best know Hackman for his role as Norman Dale in the movie Hoosiers.

The 1986 film based on the story of the 1954 State Champion Milan Indians was named the fourth-greatest sports film of all time in a 2008 American Film Institute poll. 

According to reports, there is not any foul play suspected in the deaths of the Hackmans. Gene was 95. His wife was 63. 

The cause of death remains under investigation. 

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