John Mulaney slammed as he makes risky joke about Gene Hackman and wife’s tragic death

Comedian John Mulaney has sparked outrage after making an untimely and cruel joke about the sad death of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa

John Mulaney jokes about Gene Hackman’s death investigation

During a recent episode of his Netflix series Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney, the comedian dove headfirst into dark humor territory, taking aim at the strange and tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

As part of his opening monologue on Wednesday night, Mulaney riffed on the Santa Fe police’s extensive inquiry into the couple’s mysterious passing in February. The pair, aged 95 and 65 respectively, were discovered deceased in their home along with one of their dogs, with investigators believing they had been dead for over a week before anyone found them.

Drawing a sharp contrast between scientific certainty and real-life ambiguity, Mulaney cracked: “Scientists are now like, ‘We believe dinosaurs were killed 66 million years ago by an asteroid. Stop. You don’t know that. We don’t even know how Gene Hackman and his wife died, and we found their whole bodies with full clothes on, one week after the event.”

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Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in February
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in February(Image: NY Daily News via Getty Images)

Initially, Hackman’s daughter pointed to possible carbon monoxide poisoning, but after an extended forensic review, officials concluded both had died of natural causes. Arakawa reportedly succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – a rare respiratory illness linked to rodent exposure -while Hackman died roughly a week later from heart disease, with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor.

Mulaney didn’t hold back in his critique of the investigation either. “How about that Santa Fe police?” he said mockingly. “Uh, hello. Press conference No. 470. We now believe that a rat bit Mrs. Hackman, turning her hands into mummy hands.’ Just slow down. You don’t know what happened.”

The timing and tone of the bit sparked mixed reactions online. Some viewers were unsettled by the comic’s approach, with one Reddit user commenting: “Just me thinking the Gene Hackman bit was just a tad sickening.” Another echoed: “John Mulaney needs to find some better jokes…. because joking about such a horrific death is not funny and it’s simply bad taste.”

John has been slammed for his inappropriate joke
John has been slammed for his inappropriate joke(Image: Mike Coppola/NBC via Getty Images)

Someone else complained: “Ugh John Mulaney is pathetic.” While another Netflix viewer complained: “Gosh, John has gone way too far with this one. Not funny at all. He needs to read the God damn room.”

Others, however, praised the boldness of the joke. “That was the best line of the show,” another wrote, while a third added: “Only John could get away with a Gene Hackman joke this soon.”

As of last week, further details about Arakawa’s final days emerged – including reports that she had been googling symptoms and breathing exercises in the days before her death – adding another layer of poignancy to an already bizarre and tragic story.

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‘Enough is not being done’ say Harry and Meghan as they discuss protection for children

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have today unveiled an installation remembering 50 children who have died due to the dangers of social media, declaring, ‘Enough is not being done’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex want to ensure that ‘no more kids are lost to social media’(Image: Getty Images for TIME)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have called for better protection for children using social media platforms, declaring, “enough is not being done”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, alongside their Archewell Foundation, today unveiled a poignant memorial in New York City. The installation, which has been named The Lost Screen Memorial, honours children who have died due to the dangers of social media.

The thought-provoking installation, which will stay open for 24 hours, is made up of 50 smartphones, each one of which displays a lock screen photograph of a child who has sadly lost their life.

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The heartbreaking pictures were shared by the children’s parents, who are part of the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Network, in a bid to raise awareness of the need for greater online safety measures.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex are seen in Midtown on April 23, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by The Hapa Blonde/GC Images)
Prince Harry has expressed that he is ‘grateful’ that Archie and Lilibet are still too young for social media(Image: GC Images)

Speaking with BBC Breakfast in New York, Prince Harry, 40, said: “We want to make sure that things are changed so that… no more kids are lost to social media.”

Remarking that “life is better off social media”, the father of two went on to add he was “grateful” that his and Meghan’s children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, are currently still too young to use the internet.

He continued: “The easiest thing to say is to keep your kids away from social media. The sad reality is the kids who aren’t on social media normally get bullied at school because they can’t be part of the same conversation as everybody else.”

The Sussexes have now backed calls to technology firms that parents should be able to access information on the phones of children who have passed away, amid an ongoing debate over privacy.

archewell_sussex_/Instagram - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were visibly moved as they unveiled The Lost Screen Memorial in New York. The powerful installation, made through the Archewell Foundation, honours children whose lives were tragically lost due to the harms of social media.
The Sussexes have backed calls to technology firms that parents should be able to access information on the phones of their dead children(Image: archewell_sussex_/Instagram)

Harry argued: “You are telling a parent, you are telling a dad and a mum that they can’t have the details of what their kid was up to on social media because of the privacy of their kid. It’s wrong.”

Praising parents who are speaking out on this difficult topic, Meghan, 43, stated: “I think in many ways what we see through these parents is the hope and the promise of something better, because… they just want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

archewell_sussex_/Instagram - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were visibly moved as they unveiled The Lost Screen Memorial in New York. The powerful installation, made through the Archewell Foundation, honours children whose lives were tragically lost due to the harms of social media.
Parents were invited to view the installation in New York(Image: archewell_sussex_/Instagram)

A virtual version of The Lost Screen Memorial will also include stories of each one of the 50 children, with some parents even recording and sharing a personal voice message.

Parents were invited to view the installation in New York, where Harry and Meghan joined 50 affected families for a private vigil.

 Meghan Markle shares new snap of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
Meghan has praised fellow parents for speaking out about the potential dangers found online(Image: meghan/Instagram)

This comes as social media giants are sent a final list of child protection measures they must enact before July, or else run the risk of being fined a whopping 10 per cent of their global turnover.

As of this summer, media regulator Ofcom will enforce a legal responsibility for social media firms to make sure their websites are safe for youngsters to use.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has today described this move as a “watershed moment” in turning the tide on “toxic experiences” all too often encountered in the online world of social media.

In accordance with the Online Safety Act, social media companies have been ordered to tame toxic algorithms, take faster action to remove harmful content, and introduce proper age checks.

archewell_sussex_/Instagram - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were visibly moved as they unveiled The Lost Screen Memorial in New York. The powerful installation, made through the Archewell Foundation, honours children whose lives were tragically lost due to the harms of social media.
Harry and Meghan joined 50 affected families for a private vigil(Image: archewell_sussex_/Instagram)

Tech companies are now expected to assess the risk of harm to children on their platforms following the publication of Ofcom’s final children’s safety codes today (April 24). From July onwards, protections will be fully enforceable, and firms that don’t comply could face severe enforcement action from Ofcom.

For example, they could be fined £18 million or up to 10% of their global revenue. Other business disruption measures may also be imposed, including requiring payment providers or advertising services to withdraw from online sites. In the most extreme cases, Ofcom will also have the power to seek court orders prohibiting access to a site within the UK.

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RHOCH’s Christine McGuinness and Tanya Bardsley ‘at loggerheads over betrayal’

After a significant backlash last year, Tanya Bardsley and Christine McGuinness are reportedly no longer speaking.

After being betrayed, RHOC’s Christine McGuinness and Tanya Bardsley are at odds.

Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Christine McGuinness and Tanya Bardsley are reportedly no longer speaking after a huge fallout last year. It has been said that ‘there is no way back’ to their former friendship after Tanya ‘ditched’ Christine and ‘wasn’t there’ for her when she was ‘going through her own stuff’.

Between 2018 and 2020, Christine, 37, made a brief appearance on the ITVBe reality show. Tanya, 43, was one of the show’s original housewives when it first launched in 2015, before leaving in 2021. Christine was seen assisting Tanya through difficult times while she was on the program, and a source claimed that Tanya’s lack of support caused her to feel betrayed.

Christine told Manchester Evening News that she was aware of Tanya’s struggles at the time and that she “understands mental illness quite a bit.”

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Christine McGuinness
Christine and Tanya are reportedly no longer talking(Image: Getty Images)

I’ve experienced depression and anxiety myself. After having children, I am aware of how it feels. She tried to get off the medication, but it was unsuccessful.

“I was struck by Tanya’s expression in that way. Nobody should ever experience the emotions she did. Their relationship does not appear to be lasting.

The last straw, according to an insider, came when Tanya poached her best friend Catherine to work for her. Catherine Farrell, Christine’s pal, worked with her on her previous clothing line, according to the source.

Tanya Bardsley
A source claimed Christine was hurt after Tanya ‘wasn’t there for her’(Image: Getty Images)

She reportedly has a relationship with Tanya and has recently appeared on her new reality show. In an online review of Catherine just two years ago, Christine praised her.

She continued, “I never really socialized until my late 20s, and I always struggled to make friends.” I’m fortunate to now have a select few people to call my friend.

“Thank you Cath for being there recently, you have always been there for me. To many more meltdowns, please! More dates for our children’s play and, ideally, some vacations.

Meanwhile, Christine has been dealing with her divorce from Paddy. The pair called time on their marriage of 11 years in June 2022 but decided to keep living together for the sake of their children.

However, it was reported that the couple remained in the same house after the split caused a “rift” between them, with sources claiming that the ex-Take Me Out star “pays for everything”

The model said earlier this month that she’s struggling to pay the £300,000 divorce bill she now faces. It’s not only Christine that seems to be struggling. Earlier this month, Paddy claimed he was going on tour because he “had no money.”

He explained in a podcast interview that “I still get the feeling, “F***, why are we doing this? ” I then recall that I had been divorced. Oh no, that’s why! ‘. I don’t have any money. But to be honest, it has been performing extremely well.

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The Mirror have reached out to Christine and Tanya’s reps for comment.

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Iconic Tom Ford perfume that ‘receives so many compliments’ has 20% off in rare sale

Popular unisex perfume Tom Ford is available on the shelves of a number of celebrities, and you can save 20% if you buy it right away.

This popular Tom For fragrance now has 20% off(Image: Getty)

Customers who use LookFantastic are able to save 20% on Tom Ford’s highly rated Black Orchid perfume. The eau de parfum is now available for just £62.40 for a 30-ml bottle, which was previously available for a price of £78.

The scent’s top notes of gardenia, jasmine, and blackcurrants are fresh, sweet, and floral. The base combines warm, confidence-boosting notes like Mexican chocolate, patchouli, vanilla, and amber, while the spice mixture at the center of the fragrance is a mix of black orchid, more floral notes, and more floral notes. Black Orchid has drawn comparisons to Lady Million Prive from Paco Rabanne, Van Cleef &amp, and Arpels’ Precious Oud, among other high-end perfumes.

I found a new favorite face base after testing 13 skin tints and light foundations.

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Tom Ford Black Orchid perfume black friday sale
Gwyneth Paltrow’s favourite Tom Ford Black Orchid perfume has 20% off(Image: Look Fantastic)

It has over 150 reviews and an impressive average rating of 4.69 out of 5 stars on Lookfantastic. This is the best perfume I’ve ever purchased, according to a satisfied customer. It’s been on my list for a while and hasn’t let up. This one is a little spritzy, but it’s all! Since this one is undoubtedly my new favorite, it will always be stocked with me”!

Nothing else comes close to this, according to a second customer who recommended it and initially I was skeptical because of the price. No need for more than two sprays, which last throughout the day and night. I’ll continue to purchase this. Although it’s not the most affordable option, this reviewer emphasized that it is still worthwhile, according to Yorkshire Live.

A third customer said, “I love this Tom Ford scent; it’s not one of their most expensive but definitely one of the nice ones.” It is a great scent for all ages and all day long. I would suggest to everyone! I also received excellent service from LookFantastic, which included a nice upgrade to next-day delivery. Many thanks” !

Eau de toilette for a Tom Ford Black Orchid

Tom Ford Black Orchid perfume

From £78

From £62.40

Purchase here

One more person voiced their opinion, saying, “This is one of my favorite perfumes. lasts all day, and I always receive numerous compliments”!

There are varying opinions on this scent, it should be noted. This is definitely not for everyone, according to a customer, but for those who genuinely enjoy very particular and distinctive fragrances. It’s so heartfelt, captivating, and very bittersweet.

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On Lookfantastic, Tom Ford Black Orchid is currently available for sale for £62.40.

Safiyya’s Vorajee shares tearjerking video of Azaylia on fourth anniversary of her death

Four years after her tragic death in April 2021, Safiya Vorajee’s proud mother, Safiya Cain, pays a tearjerking tribute to her late daughter.

On the occasion of Azaylia Cain’s death, Safiya Vorajee paid her late daughter a heartbreaking tribute. At eight weeks old, Azaylia was sadly diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia, which she sadly passed away.

Her parents, ex-Coventry City player turned reality star Ashley Cain and his ex partner Safiyya had raised more than £1.5m in 2021 to fund specialist treatment in Singapore for their daughter, but sadly she died on April 24 just eight months after being born.

Paying tribute to her late daughter on the fourth anniversary of her death, Safiyya, 37, took to Instagram to remember her little girl. Alongside a heartwarming video of Safiyya singing to her baby daughter, she wrote: “4 years ago today heaven gained my princess. This day will always be the most painful of my life. The day you went to heaven, a part of me went with you. My heart broke in a way that can never fully heal but I carry you with me in every heartbeat, every breath, every step.

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“Azaylia, in just eight months, you lit up the world. You did more than most of us could do in a lifetime. Your smile, so full of light… your angelic little face, your warrior spirit so brave, so bright. You gave me a love that cracked open my soul and filled it with something pure, something eternal.

Safiyya shared a heartwarming video of herself singing to her baby daughter(Image: miss_safiyya_/instagram)

I feel you all around me, despite the fact that I am unable to hold you in my arms. in the songs that I need to hear right away. In the gentle breeze that touches my cheek. Only you and I would be able to identify the subtle signs. I treasure every moment of your magic, which you gave me from heaven.

You give me strength, Azaylia, her devoted mother continued. You inspire me with courage. My hero is you. Before you, I had no idea how to truly emulate someone, but I now emulate you daily. And I make an effort to be the woman of your dreams, with every tear and every smile. You are guiding me from above, I am certain.

When her daughter’s headstone was finally put in place, she continued, “Yesterday, a single feather drifted into your garden right after everyone had left. Your magic was that. You just wanted to be quiet with me. In that moment, I recognized your sparkle and knew you were present. You are unavoidable.

You shine your light from heaven, and I’m going to shine it down, “I promise.” We are still interconnected heart to heart and soul to soul. I can hear you from heaven. You get it, I. You are my love. And I’ll never stop admiring you.

Aaliyah died when she was just eight months old
Aaliyah died when she was just eight months old(Image: @miss_safiyya_/Instagram)

I’ll be with you when you return home, and Earth is a temporary baby, we’ll spend eternity together. We never stop believing that we love you, so Zaylia, I’ve always sang this song to you.

After receiving a terrifying leukaemia diagnosis, Azaylia passed away in 2021 at the age of just eight months. Her parents, Ashley Cain and Safiya, documented their extraordinary efforts to save her, including raising £1.5 million to send her to Singapore for specialist care.

Unfortunately, the trip was prevented by further cancer complications, and shortly after taking her painkiller, little Azaylia passed away in her parents’ arms.

Many of Ashley’s supporters are likely to recall the incendiary ceremony he and Safiya organized for her in Nuneaton in 2021, when thousands of people poured into the streets to pay their respects. Her parents lowered orange balloons into the sky as a symbolic gesture while carrying her tiny coffin in a white horse-drawn carriage.

Safiyya gave her daughter a beautiful tribute on the fourth anniversary of her death
Safiyya gave her daughter a beautiful tribute on the fourth anniversary of her death(Image: @miss_safiyya_)

Before joining a car full of floral arrangements, photos, and cuddly toys, Ashley and Safiya were clearly heartbroken as they entered the procession. They were seen walking behind the carriage with personalized umbrellas.

Ashley described Azaylia as “one of Heaven’s most beloved angels” and “one of the most beautiful little princesses on Earth,” adding that she “now has a special crown that is able to hold her story.”

He continued, “I love you with a strength that never ends,” and I miss you with a pain that never fades. With every piece of me, Daddy will always be there. You are my Angel, my heartbeat, my soul, and I will always have you with me, as if I have left a handprint on my heart, Safiya once wrote her own tribute.

Continue reading the article.

Ashley has dedicated himself to preserving Azaylia’s memory ever since her passing. To help children who battle childhood cancer, the former reality star founded The Azaylia Foundation. He has now given birth to Aliyas, a boy, with a new partner.

Call Cancer Research UK on 0300 1231022, which is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm, or email on supporter if you want to talk to someone about cancer. e-mail: services@cancer.org uk

Sophie Turner and aristocrat boyfriend spark split rumours with telling clue

After dating for more than a year, Sophie Turner, a member of Game of Thrones, and her wealthy boyfriend, Peregrine Pearson, have sparked split rumors.

Spark sparks aristocratic boyfriend Sophie Turner scuffled rumors with a hint

Game Of Thrones star Sophie Turner and her aristocrat boyfriend, Peregrine Pearson, have sparked split rumours after 18 months of dating. The actress, 29, started dating Peregrine after her divorce from American singer Joe Jonas – with who she shares Willa, four, and Delphine, two.

The actress split from Joe Jonas in September 2023, after four years of marriage, and the duo engaged in a long legal process as they fought over custody of their children. Meanwhile, she’s been linked to Peregrine, the son and heir to Viscount Cowdray, since the end of 2023 but fans have spotted a telling clue they may have parted ways.

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Sophie Turner and Peregrine Pearson
Fans noticed she no longer follows Peregrine(Image: sophiet/instagram)
Continue reading the article.

Sophie unfollowed the 30-year-old on her Instagram account and also shared a cryptic post on her page that simply said “Tutto passa”, which is Italian for ‘everything passes’.

Eagled-eyed fans rushed to Reddit to discuss their possible split, with one user commenting: “Apparently ‘tutto passa’ from the third slide is Italian for ‘Everything Passes’ so Sophie and Partridge in a Pear Tree are def bones.”

Another fan commented, “Lol I knew it when she posted that tutto passa-she’s just a girl, she posts when she’s going through a breakup.” The split rumors were not made public by Sophie’s representatives.

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas
It comes after her lengthy custody battle with Joe Jonas(Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Following her reportedly intense custody battle with Jonas Brothers star Joe, Sophie and her daughters are returning to the UK.

The divorce was finalised in September 2024, after many claims about what ended their marriage and where their kids would stay. Sophie previously alleged that Joe was withholding Willa and Delphine’s passports, and wouldn’t let them fly from the US to see her in the UK.

Joe and Sophie have kept the terms of their divorce and full custody agreement private, but the Daily Mail reports that Willa and Delphine will be heading back to their mother’s homeland.

Sophie previously touched on how it felt to live in America and how much she loved her birth country. She said, “Every city we ended up in, I would find a British store and buy a month’s worth of chocolate.”

The X-Men star also went on to discuss deeper issues and political worries in the US that she wouldn’t want her daughters growing up around.

She stated in a conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, “Everything just kind of kind of piled on, including Roe v. Wade being overturned.” I’m so happy to be back.

Before I returned to England, it seemed as though my life was in pause. When I’m not in London with my friends and family, I just never feel like myself.

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