Gene Hackman‘s spouse was very critical in regards to the star’s well being, placing him on a strict food regimen years in the past … so says his longtime pal and former enterprise accomplice.

Doug Lanham, an in depth pal and former enterprise accomplice, tells TMZ … Betsy Arakawa made certain Gene was consuming proper — demanding he keep on with a strict food regimen.

Actually, Betsy took it so significantly, Doug says Gene was solely capable of sneak a cheat meal once they had been out {golfing} … this regardless of proudly owning a bar and bistro for years.

Doug tells us he owned Jinja Bar & Bistro when he first met Gene … who took an curiosity within the restaurant trade and have become a co-owner within the enterprise ultimately.

Hackman retired from the biz about seven years in the past … promoting off his stake for a tidy revenue, Doug says.

Regardless of leaving the restaurant trade, Doug says Gene would usually come by for a meal — due to the food regimen Betsy had him on he’d usually order both the halibut or rice-paper salmon somewhat than an enormous steak.

Often, when Gene got here by he’d additionally choose up the tab for a couple of fortunate prospects too … and, he even made all of the artwork for the restaurant. So seems like his post-acting years had been nonetheless very busy.

Doug remembers Gene as a jokester who would play dumb little methods on him … like placing his finger to Doug’s again and telling him to “attain for the celebs.”

Regardless of his love for the quiet way of life, Doug says Gene was all the time cool about sharing Hollywood tales along with his buddies.

As we instructed you … Gene and his spouse Betsy had been discovered lifeless of their dwelling Wednesday — and, the warrant utility exhibits the police really feel their deaths have a suspicious component to them.

A caretaker of the neighborhood made the 911 name to police … who arrived and pronounced the 2 lifeless on the scene. The investigation is ongoing.x

Gene was 95 … Arakawa was 63.