An interview in which Kevin Costner recalled an emotional exchange with Gene Hackman that left him choked up resurfaced Thursday after news of the “French Connection” star’s mysterious death broke.

Clint Eastwood, who worked with Hackman on Unforgiven and Absolute Power, remembered him in a brief statement on X: “Extremely saddened by the passing of Gene Hackman, He will be deeply missed…” Below are more tributes from stars like Morgan Freeman and Ralph Fiennes.

Kevin Costner had nothing but praise for the late Gene Hackman — who was found dead at age 95 in his home alongside his wife earlier this week — even decades after they worked together on the 1987 thriller No Way Out.

The Yellowstone star posted an old interview to his social media in which he said, “Gene was the best actor that I’ve ever worked with.”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner remembered Gene Hackman after his shock death. The 70-year-old actor worked with the icon in the 1987 film ‘No Way Out’. They also starred together in the 1994 movie ‘Wyatt Earp’.

Kevin Costner has paid tribute to the "generosity and vulnerability" of the late Gene Hackman. The 70-year-old actor feels "lucky" to have worked with the screen legend - who, along with wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their pet dogs,