Shelley Duvall, Donald Sutherland, Maggie Smith, David Lynch, Gena Rowlands, Jeff Baena and Bob Newhart were also among those honored during the emotional segment at the 97th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 2, which aired live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

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

Morgan Freeman paid tribute to his "dear friend" Gene Hackman during the Oscars' In Memoriam segment on Sunday (02.03.25).

The Oscars In Memoriam tribute, set to Mozart’s “Requiem in D Minor,” began with a tribute from Morgan Freeman to his “Unforgiven” and “Under Suspicion” co-star Gene Hackman. Hackman, who was 95, was found dead last week in his Santa Fe home along with his wife,

Oscars ceremony took a poignant turn with the In Memoriam segment. Morgan Freeman took the stage to honour the late Gene Hackman, who passed away just days ago, and his words were a heartfelt tribute to the beloved actor.