Morgan Freeman opened the annual In Memoriam segment at the 2025 Oscars by sharing kind words about his former co-star, Gene Hackman, who died last week.
Freeman addressed the Dolby Theatre audience in Hollywood by saying, “This week, our community lost a giant — and I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman.”
Freeman continued, “I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene on two films, Unforgiven and Under Suspicion, 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. He received two Oscars, but more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world.”
The Shawshank Redemption star shared, “Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.’ So, I think I speak for us all when I say: Gene, you’ll be remembered for that and so much more. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Two-time Oscar winner Hackman was found dead at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Feb. 26., alongside his wife, Betsy, and one of their dogs. Hollywood stars including Francis Ford Coppola, Viola Davis, Clint Eastwood, Antonio Banderas, Mel Brooks and more publicly mourned the loss of The French Connection actor.
The day before Hackman’s death was announced, Michelle Trachtenberg, most known for TV roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was found dead in her New York City apartment at 39. However, she was not mentioned during the In Memoriam.
The Oscars’ annual In Memoriam segment is often a source of intrigue, suspense, shock and outrage, as The Hollywood Reporter detailed in a feature earlier this week. “No matter what happens, there will be 10 headlines about who was snubbed posthumously, and there’s nothing that can be done about it,” said Michael Schulman, an Academy Awards expert and author of the 2023 book Oscar Wars.
Additional talent who were lost this year and honored in the segment were David Lynch, Shelly Duvall, Maggie Smith, Gena Rowlands and James Earl Jones, among others.
Conan O’Brien hosted the 2025 Oscars ceremony; check out its full list of winners and see the star-studded red carpet arrivals.
