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

The Oscars producers had "enough time" to include Gene Hackman in the In Memoriam segment. The late actor, along with wife Betsy Arakawa, was found dead at their home last week, and the Academy made a rare exception to include him in the tribute, with footage of the actor closing the montage.