Morgan Freeman Gives Heartfelt Oscars Tribute to Gene Hackman: ‘I Lost a Dear Friend… A Man Whose Gifts Elevated Everyone’s Work’

During the Oscars event on Sunday, a tribute was made to Gene Hackman. His “Unforgiven” co-star, Morgan Freeman, introduced an honor dedicated to the deceased actor. This recognition occurred before the ceremony’s segment honoring industry personalities who had passed away in the past year.

This week, our community suffered a significant loss. And I personally mourn the passing of Gene Hackman, who was more than just a colleague to me – he was a cherished friend. I was fortunate enough to collaborate with him on two films, ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Under Suspicion.’ Just like everyone who had the privilege of acting alongside him, I recognized that he was an exceptionally generous performer, and his talents consistently enhanced everyone else’s performance.

Gene was often quoted as saying, ‘I never ponder over leaving a legacy; I simply aim to be known as someone who strived for quality work.’ To echo everyone here, ‘Gene, you will be remembered not only for that, but for so much more.’ Farewell, my friend.”

(This version aims to convey the original message while using simpler and more conversational language.)

Ninety-five-year-old Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, aged 65, were tragically found deceased on Wednesday within their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The tragic discovery was made inside their residence.

Throughout his illustrious film career, Hackman garnered significant recognition and awards. He received two accolades from the Academy. The first was awarded in 1972, for his portrayal of the relentless narcotics detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in William Friedkin’s thriller “The French Connection.” This remarkable performance catapulted Hackman into the ranks of some of the most influential American actors of the latter half of the 20th century. His second win came in 1993, for his supporting role as the harsh law enforcement officer, Sheriff Little Bill Daggett, in Clint Eastwood’s Western “Unforgiven.

Additionally, Hackman received three other Oscar nominations: one for Best Supporting Actor for “Bonnie and Clyde” in 1968, another for Best Supporting Actor for “I Never Sang for My Father” in 1971, and a third for Best Actor for “Mississippi Burning” in 1989.

In response to the numerous accolades for Hackman, Eastwood reminisced about his “Unforgiven” screen partner in an interview with EbMaster, expressing that, “Gene was simply unmatched as an actor. He was intense, intuitive, and never gave a false performance. Additionally, he was a cherished friend whose absence I will feel deeply.

The investigation continues regarding the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa. During a press conference on Friday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adam Mendoza revealed that neither Hackman nor Arakawa showed signs of carbon monoxide poisoning following autopsies. Complete findings from autopsy and toxicology tests are still awaited. The couple’s bodies were found by a security officer in the neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon, after a maintenance worker requested a wellness check.

See the full list of winners from the Oscars ceremony here.

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2025-03-03 06:20