THE Academy Awards ceremony has paid tribute to Hollywood legend Gene Hackman as his former co-star Morgan Freeman mourns his late dear friend.
Gene, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, along with one of their dogs, were found dead in their New Mexico home on Wednesday.
The unusual circumstances have forced the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office to rule the death as “suspicious,” as they continue to investigate what caused the tragedy.
But on Sunday evening, the Academy Awards focused on remembering the Hollywood icon, as well as actors, filmmakers, and Hollywood-industry individuals who died over the past year during its Memoriam Segment.
Freeman, who starred alongside Gene in the films Unforgiven and Under Suspicion, paid tribute to his “dear friend.”
‘REST IN PEACE, MY FRIEND”
“This week, our community lost a giant, and I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,” Freeman said fighting back tears as the Dolby Theatre erupted in applause.
“I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene on two films – Unforgiven and Under Suspicion.
“Like everyone who has 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.”
Freeman continued, “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 for so much more.
“Rest in peace, my friend.”
REMEMBERING GENE
Gene had a vast film career that spanned decades.
Gene’s breakout role was Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967.
He is known for starring in Superman movies, and hit films like Mississippi Burning and Unforgiven.
He played the supervillain Lex Luthor in Superman, Superman II and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Gene also starred in the hit movies Runaway Jury, The French Connection, The Royal Tenenbaums, Unforgiven and The Conversation.
In 1972, he won the Best Actor Academy Award for his role as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection years before appearing in the movie’s 1975 sequel.
In 1993, Hackman won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role in the western Unforgiven.
Hackman appeared in four westerns during the 1990s.
His final film appearance was in Welcome to Mooseport in 2004, where he played Monroe Cole.
In his decades-long career, he received five Academy Award nominations.
He won two BAFTA nominations and three Golden Globes.
Hackman was nominated for eight Golden Globe awards during his career.
A STELLAR CAREER
FINAL YEARS
He retired from acting due to stress, as he revealed his struggle to balance family life and Hollywood.
In his final years, Gene lived a reclusive life with his wife in New Mexico.
Gene and Betsy lived in a $3.8 million mansion with their three dogs.
The actor remodeled the home on twelve acres of hilltop land with a 360-degree view.
The secluded home was renovated into a “part pueblo, part colonial New Mexico, part Spanish Baroque” property.
“It had a kind of magic in it,” Gene said in an interview with Architectural Digest. “It’s totally different from my other houses. The Montecito house was very formal.”
The couple was last photographed in March 2024 when he and Betsy were seen leaving a restaurant after dining out.
‘SUSPICIOUS’ DEATHS
Gene, Betsy, and one of their dogs were found dead in their 12-acre estate on Wednesday.
Gene was found fully clothed in a wet room off the kitchen, while Betsy was in a different bathroom.
The couple may have been dead for weeks, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigations are ongoing into their cause of death with several possibilities still being looked at.
An early autopsy into the deaths of both Gene and Betsy showed they had no signs of external trauma.
Deputies are currently labeling their deaths as “suspicious” as the door to their home was found open with no sign of forced entry, according to an affidavit.
Sheriff officials said, “In the early hours of Thursday, February 27, 2025, Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator.
“An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual.
“Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both individuals.
“The manner and cause of death has not been determined.
“The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. This remains an open investigation.”
Santa Fe County Sheriff officials previously suspected the couple may have died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
However, Gene and Betsy tested negative for carbon monoxide, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza revealed on Friday.
A toxicology report is still pending, officials added.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/13646746/oscars-tribute-gene-hackman-death-morgan-freeman/