"Gene always said, 'I don't think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,'" Freeman said of his 'Unforgiven' and 'Under Suspicion' co-star.

Hackman was 95 when he and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico Home on Wednesday, Feb. 26

Oscars on March 2, the Academy Awards paid tribute to Gene Hackman four days after he and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home.

The 97th Academy Awards show is hosted by television host and comedian Conan O'Brien and is airing on March 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST. 'Wicked,' 'Conclave,' 'The Brutalist,' 'Emilia Pérez,' 'Anora,

Hackman's colleague and friend Morgan Freeman gave a brief tribute to the actor before the Oscars' in memoriam segment.Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Freeman, whose friendship with Hackman spans decades, called the late actor a “giant” of the film industry in his homage.

The Oscars included a somber elegy for Gene Hackman and a joyful tribute to Quincy Jones. Morgan Freeman paid tribute to his “Unforgiven” co-star Hackman, calling him a “giant” and “dear friend."

Morgan Freeman led the Oscars' 'In Memoriam' tribute to Gene Hackman this year, which included Gena Rowlands, David Lynch, and James Earl Jones among the other honorees.

Morgan Freeman led an emotional tribute to honor Gene Hackman at the 2025 Oscars — just days after “The French Connection” actor and his wife were discovered dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home.