Ben Stiller Pays Tribute to Late Co-Star Gene Hackman at 2025 Oscars

During the ongoing 2025 Academy Awards ceremony, actor Ben Stiller emotionally honored Gene Hackman, paying tribute to the film icon who passed away recently at the age of 95. Stiller fondly spoke of Hackman, his co-star in the acclaimed 2001 film 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' describing Hackman as an industry giant and confessing he was one of Stiller's all-time favorite actors.

In an interview on the Oscars red carpet with People magazine, Stiller expressed heartfelt admiration for Hackman's body of work. He recounted how Hackman’s roles—from the gripping drama 'French Connection' to the memorable sports film 'Hoosiers'—deeply influenced his love for cinema. Stiller praised Hackman's authenticity, charisma, and honesty as an actor, qualities he looked up to and respected.

Reflecting on their professional collaboration, Stiller played the character Chas Tenenbaum, the son of Hackman's character in 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' which featured other notable actors like Gwyneth Paltrow and the Wilson brothers, Luke and Owen. In a recent essay for a publication, Stiller candidly admitted feeling uneasy around Hackman during filming because of his immense stature in the movie industry. However, he also remembered sharing a lighter moment on set when he mentioned enjoying Hackman’s performance in the film 'The Poseidon Adventure,' to which Hackman humorously responded that it had merely been a "money job."

Hackman's unexpected passing has deeply affected Hollywood, prompting an ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. Currently, few details have emerged regarding the final moments or the status of his wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their family dogs. The news has generated considerable grief and shock within the film community.

Separately, the Oscars event itself is being hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, with broadcasts available live on ABC and streaming via Hulu, and accessible internationally including in India through streaming services.