Morgan Freeman's Heartfelt Tribute to Gene Hackman at the 2025 Oscars

Gene Hackman received a moment of recognition at the 2025 Oscars.

On March 2, a ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles saw the honoring of the actor, renowned for his two Academy Awards won for performances in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven”. The event was hosted by Conan O’Brien.

Prior to the In Memoriam section, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Hackman by playing a heartfelt message from Morgan Freeman. Freeman, who collaborated with Hackman in the films Unforgiven (1992) and Under Suspicion (2000), conveyed the tribute.

In every instance where I worked alongside him, it became apparent that he was not just a selfless actor, but also a man whose talents significantly enhanced everyone’s projects. He may have garnered two Oscars, but what truly touched people worldwide were his ability to captivate film enthusiasts everywhere.

The 87-year-old also shared how Hackman wanted to be remembered.

Gene was often quoted as saying, “I’m not concerned with leaving a legacy; I just want to be known as someone who strived to do good work,” he clarified. In essence, I believe it is safe to say that we all echo this sentiment when we say, Gene, you will be remembered for your dedication to doing good and for so much more besides. Farewell, my friend. May you rest in peace.

(See all the celebrities who attended the 2025 Oscars ceremony here.)

Four days ago, the 95-year-old man and his wife, Betsy Arakawa (aged 65), were tragically discovered deceased at their residence in New Mexico, together with one of their pets.

Investigators are still probing the reasons behind the death and how it occurred, and they’ve already dismissed several theories about what transpired.

At a February 28 press conference, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that initial testing had ruled out the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of death for either Hackman or Arakawa. Additionally, the police do not suspect that these individuals died from falling because there was no evidence of external trauma or physical injuries on their bodies.

Mendoza stated on February 28th that there were no obvious indications suggesting any unlawful activity had occurred. At present, there doesn’t seem to be any surveillance footage available, either within the residence or surrounding it, which could provide us with details about the sequence of events or a timeline.

He mentioned that they will examine cell phone data such as calls, texts, calendar events, and photos, with the aim of creating a coherent timeline.

Prior to his demise, Hackman, as stated by his daughter Leslie Anne Hackman, was in excellent health. Before he departed, he had been honored at the Oscars with nominations for three different films – “Bonnie and Clyde” in 1968, “I Never Sang for My Father” in 1971, and “Mississippi Burning” in 1989. Additionally, he took home two awards in 1972 and 1993.

For the first time he won a trophy, he expressed gratitude to his ex-wife Faye Maltese, whom he was married to between 1956 and 1986, prior to marrying Arakawa in 1991.

Lastly, a woman I encountered in New York some time ago, Miss Felippa Maltese, and she escorted me to the upper part of the city,” he expressed on stage. “I appreciate it.

As an overly enthusiastic fan, I can share that on February 28th, Mendoza made it clear there were no obvious indications of any untoward activities, or as he put it, “no apparent signs of foul play.” Furthermore, at this moment in time, there doesn’t seem to be any existing surveillance footage within the residence itself or outside of it. Unfortunately, this lack of visual evidence means we can’t piece together a sequence of events or establish a timeline for what occurred.

He mentioned, “We plan on examining call logs, text messages, photos, and other phone activities. The aim is to construct a sequence of events based on this information.

Prior to his demise, Hackman – as confirmed by his daughter Leslie Anne Hackman – was in excellent health. Previously, he had been honored at the Oscars with nominations in 1968 for ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, 1971 for ‘I Never Sang for My Father’, and 1989 for ‘Mississippi Burning’. He also secured two wins in 1972 and 1993.

For the first time he won a trophy, he expressed his gratitude to Faye Maltese, his wife from 1956 to 1986, whom he later married Arakawa in 1991.

This version maintains the original meaning while being more natural and easier to read for most people.

Lastly, a woman I encountered in New York quite some time back, Miss Felippa Maltese, was the one who took me to an upper part of the city,” he stated on stage. “I appreciate it.

Prior to his demise, Hackman, as stated by his daughter Leslie Anne Hackman, was in robust health. In the past, he had been honored with Oscar nominations in 1968 for ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, 1971 for ‘I Never Sang for My Father’, and 1989 for ‘Mississippi Burning’. Furthermore, he secured two wins in 1972 and 1993.

For the first time he won a trophy, he expressed gratitude towards his former wife, Faye Maltese, whom he had been married to between 1956 and 1986, after which he married Arakawa in 1991.

The first trophy he brought home, he acknowledged the support of his ex-wife, Faye Maltese, who was his spouse from 1956 to 1986, and then went on to marry Arakawa in 1991.

Additionally, he mentioned a woman from his past, Miss Felippa Maltese, whom he had encountered in New York a long time ago. He shared that she guided him to an uptown location, before concluding with a heartfelt “Thank you.

To see how more celebrities have honored Hackman and Arakawa, read on.

It’s deeply saddening to learn about the passing of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy. They shared this news on their joint social media platform. Hackman was a remarkable cinematic talent, who breathed life into every character he portrayed with strength, sincerity, and stardom.

In a February 27th Instagram post, an actress from The Royal Tennanbaums shared a picture featuring herself, Luke Wilson, and Gene, taken on the set of a Wes Anderson film, accompanied by a broken heart symbol.

In a heartfelt Instagram post dated February 27th, accompanied by an older picture of the star, the actor who played the lead in “Cast Away” simply stated, “No one has ever been a ‘Gene Hackman Type.’ There has only been one Gene Hackman.

With an overwhelming sense of sorrow and a heart heavy with grief, I find myself compelled to share this heart-wrenching news: My beloved father, Gene Hackman, and his cherished partner, Betsy, have departed from us. This poignant message was penned by my siblings and I, the proud offspring he nurtured with our extraordinary mother, Faye Maltese.

For countless millions worldwide, he was a beacon of cinematic brilliance, an unparalleled actor whose talent graced the silver screen. Yet to us, he was simply Dad – the guiding light of our family, and Grandpa – the source of endless love and joy for our children. We are left reeling from this profound loss, struggling to navigate a world without his warm embrace and steadfast presence.

The filmmaker behind Megalopolis, known for directing Gene in The Conversation, offered a heartfelt homage following the announcement of Gene’s passing.

The director expressed on Instagram that the passing of a remarkable artist is both a time for sadness and joy: ‘Gene Hackman, an actor of great talent, captivating and multifaceted in his craft, I grieve over his departure, yet rejoice in his life and impact.’

The How To Get Away With Murder actress wrote a touching post directed at the actor himself.

Viola expressed her affection for you in a Feb. 27 Instagram post, saying, ‘You were incredible in films like The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven – you managed to portray strength and vulnerability so beautifully. You were one of the greats. May those who loved you find peace. Goodbye, sir.

Being so close to him, it was clear why he’s considered one of our best actors.” The Birdcage’s star said this to USA Today. “He never seemed like he was acting at all. He was authentic, thoughtful, and had a touch of mystery. His brilliance shone in both comedy and drama, and fortunately, his cinematic impact will endure eternally.

He commented, “Sharing the screen with him was an immense honor, and it’s one of my most cherished moments. Farewell, Mr. Hackman.” (Rest in peace implied)

Comedian Hank Azaria, who also starred in The Birdcage alongside Gene, wrote a touching tribute.

He expressed on X that it was both an honor and an enlightening experience working alongside Gene Hackman. Furthermore, the film’s director, Mike Nichols, had some complimentary words for Hackman’s exceptional talent: “He always managed to infuse a unique piece of the real Gene into each role he portrayed.” Sending warm regards to his loved ones and friends.

The actor from “The Last of Us” demonstrated once more the lasting impact of Gene in Hollywood by posting an old picture of him on Instagram Stories, captioned, “My genuine favorite.

The actor from Smallville, who played Lex Luthor alongside the Superman star, posted on Instagram, “To my dearest Lex Luthor and one of the greatest actors in history! Rest In Peace.

As a connoisseur of all things cinematic, I find myself deeply saddened today as I bid farewell to two cherished members of our film community – the legendary Gene Hackman and his beloved wife Betsy Arakawa. My sincerest sympathies go out to their friends, family, and fellow cinephiles who shared in their journey through the silver screen. Their absence will be greatly felt within our tight-knit cinematic family.

Today brings unfortunate news, shared by a star from Collateral, on Instagram. “It’s tough to find an actor as exceptional as this man on the screen,” they wrote in a tribute. “There simply isn’t anyone better. His performances were flawless across every role he took on, serving as a significant inspiration for me and countless other actors. He could master any part with ease, making his craft appear effortless. A genuine artist indeed.

The Star Trek alum commemorated his old peer with a heartfelt note to X.

George penned that Gene Hackman had the ability to portray any character, with depth that seemed like a full life behind it. He was both ordinary and extraordinary, capable of embodying monumental figures or everyday individuals. Such was his acting prowess. Although he’s gone, his impact endures forever.

The filmmaker Edgar Wright, known for movies like “Baby Driver” and “Last Night in Soho”, paid a heartfelt tribute to the late actor on X, expressing his admiration by stating, “The most exceptional…

In a post shared on February 27, the actress from The Princess Bride expressed her sentiments, saying “We’ve bid farewell to an exceptional figure.” She went on to speak about the late Gene Hackman, mentioning that he had departed this world. The actress emphasized that Hackman’s range of talent was beyond comparison, and watching his films during her childhood was an incredibly enjoyable experience for her.

He continued to emphasize the impact of Gene’s craft.

He noted that Gene’s exceptional talent and compassion shone through every character he played was truly awe-inspiring. No matter what movie he starred in, he significantly elevated its quality. His unique blend of natural force and unparalleled charm made him one-of-a-kind, and there simply won’t be another like him. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his loved ones, friends, and admirers worldwide. May you continue to wield your extraordinary influence in peace, Gene.

2025-03-03 06:20

Morgan Freeman’s Heartfelt Tribute to Gene Hackman at the 2025 Oscars

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