Morgan Freeman, Nathan Lane, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more who shared the screen with Gene Hackman are paying tribute to the Hollywood legend: 'One of the all time greatest.'

Francis Ford Coppola, Tom Hanks and more are paying tribute to Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, "one of the true giants of the screen."

Morgan Freeman describes the actor as "incredibly gifted" while Clint Eastwood said he was "extremely saddened" by the news.

Known as an actor’s actor, Hackman was a two-time Oscar winner who in his prime was sought out by top directors. Authorities said an investigation is under way but don’t suspect foul play.

He could be both paternal and terrifying, and had the ability to almost goad you into liking men who would otherwise be despicable.

Gene Hackman, who died at age 95, starred in some of the most critically acclaimed movies ever, including "The French Connection," "Hoosiers" and "Mississippi Burning."

Actor Gene Hackman has died at age 95. The star of films such as The Royal Tenenbaums and The Poseidon Adventure was discovered deceased at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Feb. 26, along with his wife, musician Betsy Arakawa, 63, and one of their dogs.

One of the greatest American actors of the 20th century was voted “least likely to succeed” by his first theater school, wasn’t a star until he was 40 and possessed a face he once described as “your everyday mineworker.