United Kingdom, March 3 -- Morgan Freeman paid tribute to his "dear friend" Gene Hackman at the Oscars on Sunday (02.03.25).

The 87-year-old actor introduced the Academy Awards' In Memoriam segment by paying tribute to his 'Unforgiven' co-star, who, along with wife Betsy Arakawa, was found dead at home this week.

Morgan remembered his pal as a "generous performer" who had "won the hearts of film lovers all over the world".

Speaking on stage at Los Angeles' Dolby Theater, he said: "This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman.

"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 perf...