"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.

Gene Hackman was honored at the Oscars 2025 by friend Morgan Freeman, four days after he and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their New Mexico home

The Oscars paid tribute to Gene Hackman during Sunday's ceremony, with the actor's "Unforgiven" co-star Morgan Freeman introducing an honor for the late star. The speech preceded the ceremony's in memoriam,

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 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.

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.

Gene Hackman died just days before the 97th Academy Awards, raising questions about whether he will be included in the In Memoriam segment.