Morgan Freeman produced a touching tribute to Gene Hackman in an emotional speech at the 97th Academy Awards.

The 97th Academy Awards paid tribute to Gene Hackman, who, alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, was found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday (February 26).

Details from the search warrant into their deaths claim investigators are treating the deaths as ‘suspicious enough’ to investigate further.

While the sheriff’s office said it did not suspect foul play, having found no signs of ‘external trauma’ on their bodies, they haven’t yet completely ruled it out.

It was Morgan Freeman who headed up the tributes at the Oscars, with the pair starring together in the 1992 classic Unforgiven.

Freeman and Hackman joined forces once more on the 2000 flick Under Suspicion, marking one of the latter’s final roles in Hollywood before retiring.

As per Variety, Freeman began his speech: “This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman. I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene on two films, Unforgiven and Under Suspicion. Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work.

“Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.’

“I think I speak for us all when I say, ‘Gene, you will be remembered for that, and so much more.’ Rest in peace, my friend.”

Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and his granddaughter, Annie, have released a statement in recent days following the actor’s death.

Hackman was found dead earlier this week (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

Speaking to the New York Post, they said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy.

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa.

“We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

As part of the investigation into the deaths, Santa Fe City Fire department have seemingly ruled out carbon monoxide leak or poisoning as they found no signs of this at the home.

The New Mexico Gas Company also found no signs of this after carrying out tests on the gas line and around the residence.