Clint Eastwood pays heartfelt tribute to 'intense and instinctive' Gene Hackman after his death at 95

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Gene Hackman's co-stars from 'Unforgiven' paid an emotional tribute to the actor following his death at the age of 95.

On Wednesday, February 26, Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and one of their pet dogs were found dead at their New Mexico home.

Clint Eastwood says 'there was no finer actor' than Gene Hackman

Authorities have stated that the deaths require a "thorough" investigation due to suspicious circumstances, according to TMZ. 

A Santa Fe detective sought a search warrant after which it was discovered that Betsy Arakawa was found in the bathroom while Gene Hackman was found dead in a seperate room.

One of their three pet dogs, a German Shepherd, was also found dead around 10 to 15 feet away from Arakawa in the closet of the bathroom. 

Moreover, scattered pills were found around Arakawa's body which showed signs of decomposition.

In a statement on February 27, Clint Eastwood, who directed and starred alongside Hackman in the 1992 film 'Unforgiven', shared his grief.

"There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note," said Eastwood, 94, according to People. 

He also expressed personal loss, saying, "He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much."

Morgan Freeman calls Gene Hackman 'incredibly gifted'

Morgan Freeman, who starred with Gene Hackman in 'Unforgiven' and later in the 2000 film 'Under Suspicion', paid tribute on Instagram.

"One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film 'Garde a Vue' ('Under Suspicion') to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman," Freeman wrote.

"And of course... 'Unforgiven.' Rest in peace, my friend," Freeman, 87, added.

Frances Fisher, another 'Unforgiven' cast member, recalled a moment from filming the Oscar-winning movie.

"The evening Gene and Betsy arrived in Calgary, Clint and I had dinner with them," wrote Fisher, 72, on Instagram.

"Gene was scheduled for a small scene the next day; his first day of work. He mentioned the weather and said 'I hope if we have to go indoors we won’t be doing the jail scene.' If you remember, it’s a huge scene. Clint assured him that it wasn’t the cover scene," Fisher added.

However, the schedule changed due to weather and Hackman had to film the jail scene first.

"Well guess what? Weather made the schedule change and sure enough the jail scene was up first," Fisher continued.

"And don’t you know, Gene was prepared like nobody’s business. Gene nailed it as if he’d been working for weeks! He was amazing," Fisher recalled.

Frances Fisher calls Gene Hackman a 'master class'

Frances Fisher also recalled Gene Hackman’s artistic side, saying, "Watching his work, and working with him was a master class. And when he was waiting for shots to be set up, he’d go to his notebook and sketch."

"He gave me a drawing of me as Strawberry Alice that I have framed above my desk. We all know Gene’s remarkable body of work. And it’s his humble quietude I hold in my heart," she added.

During his Oscar acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor for 'Unforgiven', Hackman thanked Fisher, Freeman, and Eastwood.

"[Eastwood] kind of made it all possible for me and for everyone else in the film. It was a wonderful experience," Hackman said at the time.