In a touching tribute, Morgan Freeman highlighted his friend’s greatest accomplishment. The Academy Awards ceremony is an interesting event. It’s part celebration, part entertainment, and part cultural moment.

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

Gene Hackman was honored at the Academy Awards by his 'Unforgiven' co-star Morgan Freeman: "Our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend."