"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,

Gene Hackman died just days before the 97th Academy Awards, raising questions about whether he will be included in the In Memoriam segment.

Stuart Ashman, a friend who met the late Gene Hackman at Pilates classes, shared with Fox News Digital that the actor was very “fit.” Video by Derek Shook for Fox News Digital.