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The Oscar winner's 'Unforgiven' costars Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Frances Fisher paid tribute after his death

Celebrities excluded from the Oscars In Memoriam tribute is causing a stir online. On Sunday, Morgan Freeman presented the segment at the Academy Awards, which honored actors and filmmakers who died over the last year including Gene Hackman,

Morgan Freeman describes the actor as "incredibly gifted" while Clint Eastwood said he was "extremely saddened" by the news.

The Oscars brought a somber elegy for Gene Hackman and a joyful tribute to Quincy Jones on Sunday night. In a late addition to the ceremony, Morgan Freeman praised the two-time Oscar winner and his two-time co-star Hackman,

Freeman, whose friendship with Hackman spans decades, called the late actor a “giant” of the film industry in his homage.

"This week, our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend," said Freeman, who worked with Hackman in two films, including 1992's Unforgiven, which won Hackman his second Oscar. "Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him I learned he was a generous performer whose gifts elevated everyone's work,

Morgan Freeman opened the segment with a heartfelt speech about Gene Hackman, with whom he costarred in Unforgiven and Under Suspicion. "Like everyone who's ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man who elevated everyone's work,

The Oscars paid tribute to Gene Hackman during Sunday’s ceremony, with the actor’s “Unforgiven” co-star Morgan Freeman introducing an honor for the late star. The speech preceded the ceremony’s in memoriam,

Freeman and Hackman, who was found dead last week at the age of 95, appeared together in the 1992 western “Unforgiven.”

The Oscars are honoring Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman. The awards celebrated the life and career of the "French Connection" star at Sunday's ceremony, days after he was found dead alongside his wife,

Morgan Freeman gave a tribute to his friend and fellow actor Gene Hackman, who was found dead Wednesday at 95. “Our community lost a giant,” Freeman said onstage, “and I lost a friend.” The Hollywood giants had shared scenes in the films “Unforgiven” and “Under Suspicion.