Gene Hackman & Sean Connery NOT Dead! Kevin Costner's 'Confusing' Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 2015 Speech Ignites Twitter Death Hoax [WATCH]

Beloved Hollywood actors Gene Hackman and Sean Connery are NOT dead! In a recent speech at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Kevin Costner paid heartfelt tribute to the two legendary film stars. But remember, both are still living!

Would this confuse MstarsNews readers? After a Lifetime Achievement Award introduction from "Tin Cup," co-star Rene Russo, Costner took the stage and said these emotional words to the star-studded crowd (via GossipCop.com):

"A minute-fifty-six, I guess that's what a life in movies looks like. I can tell you for sure it feel that fast. I don't know where the time has gone. I stand here and can't help but think there's been some kind of mistake, like this isn't for me, like I'm really accepting this for Sean Connery or Gene Hackman because they couldn't be here themselves."

The 59-year-old award-winning actor then continued:

"I don't know about you, but I miss them. The weight that Sean and Gene gave to our business, the way they carried the title 'leading man'... So however this happened, however my name found its way, stumbled onto the list of actors of a certain age that happen to be in town, I'm humbled and honored by your selection tonight."

Perhaps Costner simply meant he missed their influence in show bizz TODAY. Because neither man has passed away... they just don't work as fluently anymore. Both are 84-years-old, semi-retired... and still living!

So don't hype any crazy "death hoax" rumors on Twitter.

Watch the speech from January 15 below:

Keep an eye on Costner's official Twitter page to see if he says anything...