Morgan Freeman to Pay Tribute to Gene Hackman at the Oscars, Celebrating Their Decades-Long Friendship and the Late Actor’s Cinematic Legacy
This Sunday night at the Oscars, legendary actor Gene Hackman will be honored for his remarkable career that left a lasting impact on cinema. Morgan Freeman, his longtime friend and fellow actor, will take the stage to pay a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on Hackman’s extraordinary contributions to film and celebrating their decades-old friendship.
Morgan Freeman to Honor Gene Hackman at the Oscars
According to a family member, Hackman’s relatives were informed about his inclusion in the In Memoriam segment, and Freeman will be part of it. The two legendary actors shared the screen in Clint Eastwood’s iconic film Unforgiven, which earned Hackman his second Academy Award. Although Freeman didn’t receive an Oscar nomination for his role in the film, he later won the coveted award in 2005 for Million Dollar Baby, as reported by The Mirror US.
Hackman and Freeman reunited on screen in 2000 for Under Suspicion, which was one of Freeman’s last credited roles before Hackman retired from acting in 2004. However, despite the tribute segment at the Oscars, Hackman’s family will not be attending the 2025 ceremony following the tragic passing of the actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, according to TMZ.
Updates on the Investigation into Hackman and Betsy’s Deaths
The circumstances surrounding the heartbreaking deaths of Hackman, his wife Betsy, and their beloved dog continue to raise questions. On Friday, Santa Fe officials suggested that Hackman’s pacemaker might have malfunctioned on February 17, which is believed to be the day of his passing. While toxicology results are still pending, a medical examiner—cited by The Irish Star—confirmed that carbon monoxide poisoning has been ruled out as the cause of death.
However, a chilling new revelation this morning has added a disturbing twist to the story: the couple’s dog was discovered mummified inside a bathroom cabinet. This unsettling discovery raises more questions than answers, deepening the mystery surrounding their tragic demise.