Celebrity tributes poured in for legendary movie star Gene Hackman following news of the Oscar-winning performer’s death on Thursday. He was 95.

Francis Ford Coppola — who directed Hackman in the 1974 movie “The Conversation” — wrote on Instagram, “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

Morgan Freeman — who worked with the late star alongside Clint Eastwood in the memorable western “The Unforgiven” — said, “One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film Gardé a Vue (Under Suspicion) to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman. And of course… Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Actor James Woods recalled getting to work with Hackman on Woods’ first movie called “Night Moves,” and said Gene took time to meet Woods’ mom and stepfather, saying he went “far beyond a polite hello,” spending “an hour chatting with them, genuinely interested in their lives.”

Clint Eastwood pays tribute to Gene Hackman: “There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.” https://t.co/BKahJkuFIB pic.twitter.com/hrSyU3v9PS

— Variety (@Variety) February 27, 2025

“That day was a model for me going forward. I have always prided myself on the way I treat fans, visitors, and friends,” he added. “And I thank Gene for it. As an actor he was without equal, and as a man, he was one of a kind. Rest in peace, sir.”

Eastwood shared in a statement to Variety, “There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.”⁠

Actress Viola Davis wrote, “Loved you in everything! The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven — tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”

Actor Josh Brolin wrote on Instagram that he was “crushed” to learn of the star and his wife’s deaths. “He was always one of my favorites. Not many who beat to their own drums like he did,” he added.

A message from the Prince and Princess of Wales on X read, “So sad to hear the news of the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy. Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality. W.”

Actor Michael Chicklis wrote, “Hackman is gone. Hurts when your heroes pass. Thank you Gene. You were one of a kind.”

Director/actor Nick Searcy wrote on X,  “RIP to my idol, Gene Hackman. When I saw him, I believed I could be an actor too.  I told him that with tears in my eyes on the last day I worked with him. He thanked me and was touched. Today I cried again.”

Actor Nathan Lane — who worked with Hackman on “The Birdcage” — shared a lengthy statement with Variety following the star’s death, calling him his “favorite actor, as I think I told him every day we worked together on ‘The Birdcage.’”

“Getting to watch him up close, it was easy to see why he was one of our greatest,” he added. “You could never catch him acting. Simple and true, thoughtful and soulful, with just a hint of danger. He was as brilliant in comedy as he was in drama and thankfully his film legacy will live on forever. It was a tremendous privilege to get to share the screen with him and remains one of my fondest memories. Rest in peace, Mr. Hackman.”

Hackman was discovered at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 63, on Wednesday. The couple’s dog was also found dead. Local officials say there are no signs of foul play, per Associated Press, but the cause of death was not immediately revealed, and authorities said the investigation is ongoing.

Related: Oscar-Winning Actor Gene Hackman Found Dead Alongside His Wife And Dog