How the Oscars ceremony plans to pay tribute to Gene Hackman after his ‘suspicious’ death

The Academy Awards are taking place on March 2, 2025 – and now, the team behind the Oscars are trying to put together a fitting tribute in time for Hollywood’s big night.

A source exclusively told DailyMail.com, ‘The Oscars are scrambling to pull together an in memoriam tribute to Gene Hackman in time.’

They always pays homage to members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences who have passed away within the year, which includes the versatile actor.

Gene, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64 were found partially mummified at the couple’s $3.3 million Santa Fe, New Mexico mansion, with pills strewn around their bathroom.

‘Of course the awards plan to pay tribute to him,’ the source explained, noting the fact he was an Oscar winner.

The famed actor won an Academy Award for his role in The French Connection, as well as a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64 were found partially mummified at the couple's $3.3 million Santa Fe, New Mexico mansion, with pills strewn around their bathroom
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Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64 were found partially mummified at the couple’s $3.3 million Santa Fe, New Mexico mansion, with pills strewn around their bathroom

Gene  won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards in March 1993 - and now, the Oscars team must figure out how to pay tribute to the longtime star
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Gene  won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards in March 1993 – and now, the Oscars team must figure out how to pay tribute to the longtime star

The Bonnie & Clyde actor won the same three awards again for his role in the 1992 Clint Eastwood film Unforgiven.

Following his death, actress Sally Kirkland told DailyMail.com, ‘It would be a real shame if the Oscars did not honor him and memorialize him in the way that they should. I am certain that they will do this. There is no way that they couldn’t.’

Sally, who was involved with Bob Dylan, added that ‘Gene always stuck up for her’ after they first met when they were both members of In the Actor’s studio.

They worked together when they were young, and in 1975, they spent ten weeks shooting the western Bite the Bullet together and grew even closer.

‘Richard Brooks would pick on me and call me kid and Gene would always put anyone who talked down to me in their place,’ Sally said, adding that he had ‘such great respect for women.’

Sally, 83, called Gene ‘one of the most brilliantly talented actors’ she’s ever worked with, and said it breaks her heart ‘that it ended like this for him.’

‘We are both Oscar winners and it was incredible going on this long journey with him. He deserved the success he had and was one of the greats.’

‘The icons are all almost gone,’ Sally, who was one of the members of Andy Warhol’s factory, continued.

Gene and Betsy were longtime Oscars attendees, above they're seen at the 1994 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
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Gene and Betsy were longtime Oscars attendees, above they’re seen at the 1994 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

The famed actor won an Academy Award for his role in The French Connection, as well as a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for Best Actor

The famed actor won an Academy Award for his role in The French Connection, as well as a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for Best Actor

Gene, who certainly was an icon, was discovered alongside his wife when the couple’s neighbor called emergency services.

One of his three children, Leslie Anne Hackman, told DailyMail.com that the family is waiting to hear from law enforcement regarding the cause of death as it remains a mystery.

Leslie and her sister, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, can only speculate that their father and stepmother – along with one of their dogs – may have been killed by inhaling toxic fumes due to a carbon monoxide leak.