Gene Hackman was honored for his extensive career in Hollywood at the 2025 Oscars.
During the live telecast at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 2, Morgan Freeman kicked off the In Memoriam portion of the show by sharing his fond memories of working with the late Oscar winner in the 2000 film Under Suspicion.
“I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’e work. He received two Oscars, but more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world,” Freeman shared. “Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people will remember me as someone who tried to put in good work.’ I think we speak for us all when I say, ‘Gene, you’ll be remembered for that and for so much more.’ Rest in peace, my friend.”
The tribute comes days after the actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were confirmed dead inside their shared Santa Fe, New Mexico, house. Hackman was 95 while his wife was 63.
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“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa,” Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter told Us in a statement. “We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
According to the Santa Fe sheriff’s department, an official cause of death has yet to be determined. However, foul play is not suspected.
Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth told Us Weekly on Thursday, February 27, that some initially suspected he and Arakawa died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The fire department, however, found no signs pointing to any leaks.
During his acting career, Hackman was nominated for five Academy Awards and won two including Best Supporting Actor in 1992 for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven. He also won Best Actor in 1971 for his performance as detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection.
In a 2008 interview with Reuters, Hackman mentioned that he was no longer accepting acting work and had decided to retire.
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“I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer,” he confirmed at the time. “I’ve been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don’t want to do it any longer.”
Ultimately, the Oscar winner became one of the world’s most recognizable actors throughout his six-decade career, thanks to iconic roles such as Lex Luthor in the Superman franchise
“[I want to be remembered] as a decent actor. As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion. I don’t know, beyond that,” Hackman told GQ in a 2011 profile. “I don’t think about that often, to be honest. I’m at an age where I should think about it.”
