Morgan Freeman honored Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman during the Oscars telecast on Sunday.

“This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,” Freeman said. “I had the pleasure of working alongside gene on two films, ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Under Suspicion.’ Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work.

“Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,‘” Freeman continued. “I think I speak for us all when I say, ‘Gene, you will be remembered for that, and so much more.’ Rest in peace, my friend.”

Hackman was found dead Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Freeman, Hackman’s colleague and friend, gave a brief tribute to the deceased actor before the Oscars’ in memoriam segment.

Hackman and Freeman worked together on Clint Eastwood’s 1992 film “Unforgiven” and again in 2000 in Stephen Hopkins’ “Under Suspicion.”

“One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film Gardé a Vue (Under Suspicion) to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman,” Freeman posted in tribute to his late co-star on X. “And of course… Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Hackman earned two Oscars over his 60-year career of five nominations.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.