Morgan Freeman shares moving tribute for Gene Hackman at Oscars 2025
1. Gene Hackman was found dead Wednesday, alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa
Here's a polished rewrite:
Oscars Honor Late Gene Hackman with Heartfelt Tribute
The 2025 Academy Awards took a poignant moment to pay tribute to the late Gene Hackman, with his Unforgiven co-star delivering an emotional homage ahead of the ceremony’s In Memoriam segment.
“This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,” Morgan Freeman began, his voice heavy with emotion.
Freeman, who starred alongside Hackman in Unforgiven and Under Suspicion, reflected on the actor’s profound impact. “Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer—a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work.”
He went on to share Hackman’s own thoughts on his legacy: “Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.’”
Pausing for a moment, Freeman added, “I think I speak for us all when I say, ‘Gene, you will be remembered for that, and so much more.’ Rest in peace, my friend.”
Hackman, 95, was found deceased alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home last Wednesday.
A true Hollywood icon, Hackman left an indelible mark on cinema, earning two Academy Awards during his storied career. He won his first Oscar in 1972 for his gripping performance as narcotics detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection, a role that cemented his status as one of the era’s most formidable actors. His second Oscar came in 1993 for Unforgiven, where his portrayal of the ruthless Sheriff Little Bill Daggett remains one of the most unforgettable performances in Western film history.
As Freeman’s words resonated throughout the Dolby Theatre, it was clear: Gene Hackman’s legacy will endure—not just through his iconic performances, but through the generations of actors and filmmakers he inspired.
