Gene Hackman at a book signing in June 2008.

This week, our community lost a giant.

And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman, Freeman began.

Morgan Freeman delivers speech about his friend and late actor Gene Hackman during the Oscars ceremony.

Gene Hackman at a book signing in June 2008. (Photo: Trish Overton, viaWikimedia Commons,CC 2.0)

He added: Gene always said, I dont think about legacy.

I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Morgan Freeman delivers speech about his friend and late actor Gene Hackman during the Oscars ceremony.

Newspaper interview photo of Gene Hackman, 1972. (Photo: Chicago Daily News, viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Freeman is only one of many celebrities that have paid tribute to Hackman since his passing a week ago.

Gene Hackman: a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.

I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.

Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it, Takeiwrote on X.

He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe.

Thats how powerful an actor he was.

He will be missed, but his world will live on forever.

Freemans full speech can be viewed below, and more Oscars-related news can be found on theAcademy Awards website.

Newspaper interview photo of Gene Hackman, 1972.