"Gene always said, 'I don't think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,'" Freeman said of his 'Unforgiven' and 'Under Suspicion' co-star.

Celebrated filmmaker David Lynch, who passed away earlier this year on January 16, was included in the 97th Academy Awards’ ‘In Memoriam’ section.

"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," Hackman's "Unforgiven" co-star Freeman said.

Morgan Freeman led the Oscars' 'In Memoriam' tribute to Gene Hackman this year, which included Gena Rowlands, David Lynch, and James Earl Jones among the other honorees.

Film fans have hit out at the 97th Acacdemy Awards as they fume actress Michelle Trachtenberg was snubbed from the emotional In Memoriam segment while David Lynch only got 'two seconds' tribute

James Earl Jones, Maggie Smith, Donald Sutherland, David Lynch were honored and remembered at the Academy Awards

Among the notable entertainment figures who have died in 2025 are Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, David Lynch and Garth Hudson.

Gene Hackman was the latest high-profile death in the industry. Among the notables who died in the first two months of 2025: Major League Baseball catcher, sportscaster, actor

The Oscars honored stars such as David Lynch, Gene Hackman and Jeff Baena during its “In Memoriam” segment, but Michelle Trachtenberg was not included in the tribute.

The decision about which stars are included -- or excluded -- from the tribute at the Oscars comes down to time.

Fans are not pleased with David Lynch's short Oscars tribute and the omission of Michelle Trachtenberg, Tony Todd, Olivia Hussey and several other actors and filmmakers from the In Memoriam section at Sunday's 97th Academy Awards.