Oscar 2025: Morgan Freeman’s Emotional Tribute to the Late Gene Hackman

At the Academy Awards ceremony, Morgan Freeman paid a heartfelt tribute to his former collaborator, the late Gene Hackman, before the traditional ‘In Memoriam’ segment. “This week, our community lost a giant, and I lost a beloved friend, Gene Hackman,” Freeman began, visibly moved. He recalled working with Hackman on two films, ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Under Suspicion,’ highlighting Hackman’s generosity as an actor and how his charisma elevated everyone’s work. Freeman also shared that Hackman once said, ‘I don’t think about the legacy I’ll leave behind. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.’ Freeman concluded by saying, ‘Gene, you will be remembered for this and much more. Rest in peace, my friend.’ Hackman’s last screen appearance was in ‘The Legend of the Town Mayor’ in 2004, though he officially retired in 2008. The actor won two Oscars for his roles in ‘The French Connection’ and ‘Unforgiven’.