The late music legend — who scored such classic movies as “In the Heat of the Night,” “In Cold Blood,” and “The Color Purple” — was honored four months after his death at 91 in

Queen Latifah will honor the late Quincy Jones with a special tribute at the 2025 Oscars on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre. The tribute recognizes Jones’ groundbreaking contributions to film music and his historic achievements at the Academy Awards.

The Oscars included a somber elegy for Gene Hackman and a joyful tribute to Quincy Jones. Morgan Freeman paid tribute to his “Unforgiven” co-star Hackman, calling him a “giant” and “dear friend."

Jones, who died in November at age 91, produced the movie and also wrote the score for the film, which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards at the 1986 ceremony

Quincy Jones received a tribute at the 2025 Academy Awards. Queen Latifah, Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey were on hand to remember the late producer and songwriter.

Quincy is really the blueprint of what I’m able to do,” said the Oscars' first-time music director Michael Bearden.

The Academy Awards' choreographer Mandy Moore had a real challenge for the 2025 Oscars. The original song nominees would not perform.

Queen Latifah was joined on stage by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg to honor the late Quincy Jones at the 2025 Oscars. “When we’re talking about Black excellence, we’re talking about Quincy,” declared Goldberg to applause.

Morgan Freeman speaks about Gene Hackman during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Chris Pizzello “When one hears the name Quincy Jones ...

Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg, co-stars in Jones' 1985 film "The Color Purple," led the tribute the legendary music producer, who died at the age of 91 in November 2024. The tribute continued with a performance by Queen Latifah, who performed “Ease on Down the Road” from "The Wiz" in front of the Oscars audience.

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Whoopi Goldberg, left, and Oprah pay tribute to Quincy Jones during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello ...

Morgan Freeman speaks about Gene Hackman with an image of Gene Hackman on the screen during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello ...