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.

Morgan Freeman led the Oscars' 'In Memoriam' tribute to Gene Hackman this year, which included Gena Rowlands, David Lynch, and James Earl Jones among the other honorees.