Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman, introducing the In Memoriam segment at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, paid his respects to Gene Hackman.

Gene Hackman was honored at the Oscars 2025 by friend Morgan Freeman, four days after he and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their New Mexico home

Freeman, whose friendship with Hackman spans decades, called the late actor a “giant” of the film industry in his homage.