Gene Hackman worried about caring for wife, family after heart concerns forced him to leave Hollywood stardom

Gene Hackman retired from his long and successful career over 20 years ago, partially forced by health concerns that had him worried for his wife and family.

“I try to take care of myself. I don’t have a lot of fears,” Hackman told Larry King in 2004. “I have the normal fear of passing away – you know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age.”

He continued, “I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of fears.”

The Oscar-winner and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home Wednesday