The Oscars paid tribute to Gene Hackman Sunday night, days after he and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home.

As previously reported, Queen of the Ring is a film about women’s wrestling trailblazer Mildred Burke, who began grappling at carnivals in the Thirties before hitting the pro circuit and becoming a three time world-champion.

Director Clint Eastwood knew to not mess with a good thing when he was directing Gene Hackman toward his second Oscar with Unforgiven.

In “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Unforgiven,” the actor used his charm to great disarming effect, flashing a smile before abruptly shifting to a sneer.

The late Gene Hackman leaves a legacy of cinematic grasping, of striving for more. What's more common—or more American—than that?

Clint Eastwood, who directed and starred with Hackman in 1992’s Unforgiven, said in a statement to Deadline: “There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.”