Morgan Freeman's ‘great tribute’ to Gene Hackman at Oscars 2025 leaves viewers emotional: 'Lost a giant'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Morgan Freeman’s tribute to his “dear friend” Gene Hackman at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, left viewers teary-eyed.

The late Oscar winner’s date of death is yet to be determined after he was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside his New Mexico home on February 26 alongside his second wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog.

Remembering him, Freeman said, as per OK! Magazine, “This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman. I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene on two films, 'Unforgiven' and 'Under Suspicion'.”

Morgan Freeman says Gene Hackman will always be remembered for his good work

“Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work. Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,’” the film producer shared.

Concluding his honor, 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.”

Fans call Morgan Freeman’s tribute for Gene Hackman ‘beautiful’

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ star’s words left many fans emotional as one tweeted, “The only thing worth watching all night.”

Another fan wrote, “Great tribute ❤️.”

The third fan commented, “Greatness paying tribute to greatness.”

“This was what I watched for tonight…. It was everything I hoped for and more - Gene Hackman deserved all this ❤️❤️❤️❤️#RIP,” a person shared.

“Morgan Freeman’s commentary on Gene Hackman at the Oscars just wrecked me. That voice, those words, pure heart. Legends honoring legends,” the second person said.

A tweet read, “Morgan Freeman's tribute was beautiful. Gene Hackman will always be one of my fav actors to watch over and over again. This also goes for Morgan Freeman.”

Authorities trying to find out what led to Gene Hackman and his wife’s deaths

Meanwhile, the shock deaths of Hackman and Arakawa are under probe now. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza reportedly said, “This is an open investigation, it’s a couple of days old, and so we’re putting together the timeline, we’re trying to look at all the evidence.”

Though the official cause of the pair’s death is yet to be determined, Santa Fe Fire Department Chief Brian Moya said, “That was a home with natural gas in it, so it could have [played a factor].”

“There’s a lot of unanswered [questions] there. When we arrived, we made sure our people as well as the sheriff were safe, and there was nothing that we found,” Moya added.

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