"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

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.

Oscar winner Morgan Freeman wore a notable glove on one hand while delivering the introduction to the "In Memorium" segment at the 97th Oscars.

Actor Morgan Freeman has led tributes at the annual Academy Awards ceremony to fellow Hollywood star Gene Hackman, whose death last month is under police investigation."This week, our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend,

Gene Hackman was honored at the Academy Awards by his 'Unforgiven' co-star Morgan Freeman: "Our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend."

Freeman and Hackman, who was found dead last week at the age of 95, appeared together in the 1992 western “Unforgiven.”

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."

The Oscars are honoring Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman. The awards celebrated the life and career of the " French Connection " star at Sunday's ceremony, days after he was found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs on Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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.

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

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.