The traditional in memoriam segment at the 2025 Academy Awards paid tribute to several notable figures from the film industry, including Gene Hackman, David Lynch and Maggie Smith.
Hackman, whose body was discovered last Wednesday alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their dogs, was remembered as one of cinema's most beloved stars. The 95-year-old actor won Oscars for The French Connection and Unforgiven, and was nominated for Bonnie and Clyde, I Never Sang for My Father and Mississippi Burning. His Unforgiven co-star Morgan Freeman paid tribute, saying Hackman would be remembered for being a good man, 'and for so much more'.
David Lynch, who died in January at the age of 78, was also honoured. The director won an honorary Oscar in 2019 and received nominations for The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive.
Maggie Smith, the veteran British actor best known for her role as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, was included in the montage. Smith won the best actress Oscar in 1970 for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and supporting actress in 1979 for California Suite. She died in September at the age of 89.
Other figures remembered included Donald Sutherland, Shelley Duvall, Gena Rowlands, James Earl Jones, Dick Pope, Jeff Baena, Bob Newhart, Kris Kristofferson, M Emmet Walsh, Robert Towne, Joan Plowright and Teri Garr.
