"Rest in peace, my friend” - Morgan Freeman honors Gene Hackman at 2025 Oscars days after actor found dead

Oscars 2025 surely saw many moments that will go down in history. One of them is the legendary actor Morgan Freeman offering a heartfelt tribute to his good friend Gene Hackman. Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their apartment a few days back, on February 26.

In his tribute, Morgan, who was a dear friend and a co-star of Hackman, spoke about losing a gem and a close friend. The Oscars were held in the Dolby Theatres two days after Hackman's demise.

"Well, this week, our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman"

Morgan continued by saying that he had the pleasure of working with Hackman in two movies and that he was such a performer who elevated everyone around him. He further briefed that Hackman himself was a two-time Academy Awards winner who had won the hearts of all those who knew him.

"I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene on two films, Under Suspicion and Unforgiven, and 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"

Morgan said that Hackman mentioned once that he didn't want to be remembered as someone with a legacy but wanted to be remembered as someone who did good work. He continued by saying

"Gene, you'll be remembered for that and so much more. Rest in peace, my friend. So I think I speak for us all when I say, Gene, you'll be remembered for that and for so much more. Rest in peace, my friend," he concluded.

Hackman was honored in the memorium section of the Academy Awards. He has garnered praise for working in movies like Bonnie & Clyde, Mississippi Burning, Superman, The French Connection, and The Conversation. Hackward retired in the year 2004.

The most memorable performance of Hackman and Morgan together was in Clint Eastwood's film Unforgiven, for which Hackman earned an Academy Award in the best supporting actor category.

On learning about his friend's demise, Morgan also wrote a heartfelt post on Instagram where he mentioned that one of the biggest honors of his life was working in Gardé a Vue (Under Suspicion) with Hackman.

Oscars this year also paid tributes to music producer Quincy Jones, and a song was sung in her honor by Queen Latifa, Oprah and Whoppi Goldberg.