BREAKING NEWS: Hollywood Prepares for a Bittersweet Oscars 2025 as the Academy Plans a Posthumous Award for Gene Hackman, Who Died with Wife Betsy Arakawa, Alongside a Tribute to Harriet Spy’s Michelle Trachtenberg, Academy CEO Bill Kramer state “We Cherish Their Creative Spirits”

Oscars 2025 to Honor Gene Hackman with Posthumous Award in Emotional Tribute

Los Angeles, CA – March 2, 2025
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the 2025 Academy Awards will feature a rare and poignant posthumous award for Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, who tragically passed away alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, earlier this year. The ceremony, set to air live on March 23, 2025, will also pay tribute to Gossip Girl and Harriet the Spy star Michelle Trachtenberg, whose unexpected death has left the entertainment world reeling. The announcement has sparked an outpouring of emotion from fans and industry peers alike, promising a night of remembrance at the Dolby Theatre.

Gene Hackman, an Oscar-winning actor known for iconic roles in films like The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums, retired from acting in 2004 but remained a towering figure in cinema history. His death, alongside his wife of over three decades, Betsy Arakawa, came as a shock to the industry, with details surrounding their passing still shrouded in mystery. The Academy’s decision to honor Hackman with a posthumous award—an accolade reserved for exceptional circumstances—reflects the profound impact of his work across five decades.

“Gene Hackman was a force of nature on screen,” said Academy President Janet Yang in a statement. “His performances defined an era of film, blending raw intensity with unparalleled depth. This posthumous award is a small token of our gratitude for his indelible mark on storytelling.”

The tribute will include a montage of Hackman’s most celebrated roles, from his Oscar-winning turn as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle to his menacing Lex Luthor in Superman. Sources close to the production reveal that the segment will also feature personal anecdotes from collaborators like Clint Eastwood and Wes Anderson, who directed Hackman in multiple projects during his later career.

Adding to the night’s emotional weight, the Academy will also honor Michelle Trachtenberg, the beloved actress who rose to fame as a child star in Harriet the Spy and later captivated audiences as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl. Trachtenberg’s death, reported just weeks ago, has left fans mourning the loss of an actress whose versatility spanned genres and generations. While she will not receive a posthumous award, her inclusion in the In Memoriam segment is expected to be a standout moment, with rumors of a musical tribute in the works.

“Michelle brought a spark to every role she played,” Yang added. “Her loss leaves a void in Hollywood, and we’re committed to celebrating her contributions alongside Gene’s extraordinary legacy.”

The Oscars 2025 ceremony, already shaping up as a night of reflection, comes at a time when Hollywood is grappling with the passing of several luminaries. Hackman’s death, coupled with Arakawa’s, has prompted renewed appreciation for his quieter years spent out of the spotlight in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he focused on writing novels and painting. Friends of the couple have described Betsy, a talented pianist, as Hackman’s rock— a partner whose influence grounded him through his post-Hollywood life.

Fans have taken to social media to express their anticipation for the tribute, with hashtags like #GeneHackmanLegacy and #Oscars2025 trending in recent days. “Gene Hackman was my childhood hero,” wrote one X user. “To see him honored like this, even after he’s gone, feels right.” Another added, “Michelle Trachtenberg gone too soon—praying the Oscars do her justice.”

The Academy has not disclosed the specific category of Hackman’s posthumous award, though speculation points to a special honorary Oscar recognizing his lifetime achievement. Such awards have been bestowed posthumously only a handful of times in Oscars history, notably to Walt Disney in 1969 and Howard Ashman in 1992.

As the ceremony approaches, the focus remains on celebrating the lives and legacies of these stars. “This is about more than awards,” an Academy insider told us. “It’s about pausing to remember what Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa, and Michelle Trachtenberg gave to us—moments of joy, inspiration, and humanity.”

The 97th Academy Awards will air live on ABC, with additional details about the Hackman tribute and other honorees expected in the coming weeks. For now, Hollywood prepares to bid farewell to two of its brightest lights, ensuring their legacies shine on.