Gene Hackman's longtime friend Doug Lanham has spoken out following the shocking deaths of the two-time Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa - saying the actor was full of loveable mischief

The couple were found in separate rooms of their $3.8 million mansion, with one of their dogs also dead in the home.

Doug, 76, who met Gene more than 20 years ago and became both his close friend and business partner, described the actor as a "mischievous" personality who had a deep passion for life.

He was quote by the Daily Mail saying: "Gene really was the life of the party.

"He was always ready with a laugh, and his love for Betsy was clear to anyone who knew them."

Doug, who founded the Santa Fe restaurant Jinja, said he was struggling to come to terms with the news.

He said: "We'd all kind of expected it, he's 95, and in some of the pictures towards the end there he was looking frail. "But to hear what took place, I still can't process it. They were so dignified and so in love with each other."

Despite a career spanning more than 80 films, Doug revealed Gene never watched his own performances.

Recalling a particularly intense scene featuring Gene from his classic movie 'Mississippi Burning', he said: "I think the person doing the creating, maybe they feel like it's never good enough."

Doug also spoke about Gene's playful side, remembering a prank at a high-society event.

He said: "He filled a water pistol with red wine and started chasing people around. He thought that was the most fun in the world."

Authorities continue to investigate Gene and Betsy's deaths, with toxicology reports still pending.