Veteran Hollywood film stars paid tribute following his death including Clint Eastwood, who directed Hackman in western film Unforgiven, and Francis Ford Coppola, who wrote and directed the Oscar-nominated 1974 mystery thriller The Conversation, starring Hackman.

Paying tribute to Hackman at the 2025 Oscars, Freeman said on stage: “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 learnt he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work.

Oscars ignited controversy for leaving out actors such as Michelle Trachtenberg, Tony Todd and Olivia Hussey. “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Shannen Doherty was also omitted, which her co-star Jennie Garth called “messed up” when asked by TMZ to give her thoughts on the snub (via People).

The Oscars In Memoriam segment continues to stir upset among viewers as the 2025 ceremony snubbed stars like Michelle Trachtenberg, Shannen Doherty, Tony Todd, Olivia Hussey, and more in its most recent televised presentation.

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

Oscars got reflective with the traditional In Memoriam segment celebrating the entertainment figures who died over the past year as the names scrolled onscreen. Notable names in filmmaking including David Lynch,