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’

"This week, our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend," said Freeman, who worked with Hackman in two films, including 1992's Unforgiven, which won Hackman his second Oscar. "Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him I learned he was a generous performer whose gifts elevated everyone's work,

Morgan Freeman opened the segment with a heartfelt speech about Gene Hackman, with whom he costarred in Unforgiven and Under Suspicion. "Like everyone who's ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man who elevated everyone's work,