As in past years, the In Memoriam segment of Sunday’s Oscar telecast quickly became controversial because of the stars who were left out of the montage, notably ‘Gossip Girl’

"Gene always said, 'I don't think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,'" Freeman said of his 'Unforgiven' and 'Under Suspicion' co-star.

"I speak for us all when I say Gene, you'll be remembered for that and for so much more. Rest in peace, my friend," Hackman's "Unforgiven" co-star Freeman said.