Morgan Freeman will honor the late Gene Hackman during the 97th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, after the latter’s tragic death at age 95.

On Saturday, a relative of the 87-year-old actor revealed to TMZ that he will be speaking about his Unforgiven co-star in a special slot during the in memoriam segment. 

Freeman and Gene acted together in the 1992 classic film, which earned the late actor his second Oscar award. Eight years later, they once again joined forces on 2000 thriller, Under Suspicion — one if his final films before stepping away from Hollywood in 2004.

The source claimed that the late actor’s family will not attend the ceremony. 

Gene and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s ‘mummified’ remains were found by two maintenance workers on Wednesday at their $3.3 million mansion in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The couple was reportedly found with bloating on their face and signs of mummification in their limbs, with pills strewn nearby. One of their three dogs, a German Shepherd, was also found deceased while the other two were roaming around the property.

Morgan Freeman will honor the late Gene Hackman during the 97th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, after the latter’s tragic death at age 95; Freeman seen Janaury 2025

On Saturday, a relative of the 87-year-old actor revealed he will be speaking about his former co-star in a special slot during the in memoriam segment; Hackman seen January 2003

According to an official’s search warrant, ‘the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.’ 

On Friday, Santa Fe officials claimed that data from Gene’s pacemaker indicated its last recorded activity was on February 17, leading investigators to believe that was the date of his pᴀssing. 

Read MoreBREAKING NEWS Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found MUMMIFIED at mansion with pills strewn in bathroom

While toxicology reports are still pending, the medical examiner confirmed that both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide exposure. The local Sheriff’s Department has said they do not believe foul play is involved. 

The French Connection star, who had a net worth of approximately $80M, spent the last two decades away from the spotlight. After retiring from the industry in 2004, he left Hollywood behind, trading the glamour of the City of Angels for a peaceful life in New Mexico — where he had lived until his pᴀssing.

During a now eerie interview with CNN in 2004, the late actor confessed that he was afraid of ever loosing his life as he wanted to be a provider for his family.

‘I try to take care of myself,’ he told the outlet at the time. ‘I don’t have a lot of fears, I have the normal fear of pᴀssing away.

‘I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age. I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of fears.’

The Superman actor had three children from a previous marriage, Christopher Allen, 65 and Elizabeth Jean, 63, as well as Leslie Anne, 58. 

Freeman and Gene acted together in the 1992 classic film, Unforgiven

Gene and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s ‘mummified’ remains were found by two maintenance workers on Wednesday at their $3.3 million mansion in Santa Fe; seen November 1991

Gene seen with wife Betsy and his two daughters Leslie and Elizabeth in October 1996

Officials claimed that data from Gene’s pacemaker indicated its last recorded activity was on February 17, leading investigators to believe that was his date of death; seen December 2001

The 97th Academy Awards are honoring the best films of 2024, with the star-studded ceremony being held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Conan O’Brien, 61, is making his debut as Oscars host, after joking: ‘I only agreed to host so that I could get invited.’

This year’s ceremony has an unusually unsettled field in many of the most high-profile categories, including best picture and most of the acting categories.

Emilia Pérez leads the nominations this year with 13, including for best picture, actress (for Karla Sofía Gascón), supporting actress (for Zoe Saldaña), director (for Jacques Audiard), adapted screenplay and original song.

The Brutalist landed in second place with 10 nominations, including for best picture, director (for Brady Corbet), actor (for Adrien Brody), supporting actor (for Guy Pearce), supporting actress (for Felicity Jones), and original screenplay.