35 Famous People We Tragically Lost in 2025

What do Top Gun and Batman Forever have in common? They're the two most successful movies of Val Kilmer’s remarkable career. In a 2021 film called Val, he documented his battle with throat cancer which resulted in severe difficulty speaking. This film was released just 4 years before his passing on April 1st due to pneumonia. In spite of his health struggles, in 2022 Kilmer reprised his role in Top Gun: Maverick, marking an unforgettable return to the big screen.

Richard Chamberlain died on March 29 after suffering a stroke at the age of 90. He juggled being an actor and singer well, rising to fame in the ‘60s as Dr Kildare in the iconic TV show Dr Kildare and releasing a couple of chart topping hit-singles. He received four Emmy Nominations and one three Golden Globe awards for his appearances in Dr Kildare, Shōgun, and The Thorn Birds. His other works include the Towering Inferno and The Three Musketeers.

You can’t mention Buffy the Vampire Slayer without thinking of Dawn Summers, portrayed by beloved actress Michelle Trachtenberg. Her life was cut short on February 26 at 39, just months after undergoing a liver transplant. Tragically, she was found deceased in her apartment by her mother. No stranger to television screens, she rose to fame as a child actor after starring in The Adventures of Pete & Pete. Her other most notable roles were in Harriet the Spy and Gossip Girl.

Pope Francis, who was recognized for his humble and unconventional approach to the papacy, passed away on April 21st at 88 due to cardiac arrest. He was born and raised outside of Europe and was the first Jesuit and Latin American pope. In his 12 year reign, he made history as one of the most progressive Popes to lead the Catholic Church. After news of his passing, thousands flocked to pay tribute to him at St. Peter's Square where he had made his last public appearance.

George Foreman was an Olympic gold medalist, two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and entrepreneur who passed away at 76 on March 21. His grill, called the George Foreman grill, earned him his reputation as a successful entrepreneur. He also appeared on The Masked Singer and starred in his own sitcom produced by ABC. A fun fact about the former boxer is he named all five of his sons George Foreman.

Roberta Flack was a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and pianist who rose to fame in the 1970s. She was most known for her contribution to the quiet storm radio format and timeless hit-singles such as “Killing Me Softly With His Song”. In 2022, she was diagnosed with ALS, which made it impossible for her to carry on singing. She passed away on February 24 after suffering cardiac arrest.

With a career spanning over four decades, Gene Hackman was considered one of his generation’s greatest actors. He was a highly decorated actor with two Academy Awards for his strong roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven. Other roles that earned him nominations were Superman, The Royal Tenenbaums, Bonnie and Clyde, and The Conversation. Sadly, Hackman, aged 95, his wife Betsy Arakawa, aged 65, and their dog were all found deceased in their Santa Fe home in February.

Jean Marsh, an English actress and writer, passed away on April 13 at 89 due to complications of dementia. She co-created and starred in the legendary series Upstairs, Downstairs, which earned her an Emmy Award. Other period TV shows such as Downton Abbey were inspired by her show. She also wrote several books throughout her career and starred in multiple productions such as Doctor Who and Willow.

Clem Burke was one of the first members of the award winning new wave band Blondie. In the 1970s, he helped pioneer a new era of music with his unique rhythm and drumming style. He remained the band’s drummer until his passing on April 6 at 70 after battling cancer. Known for his powerful performances, Burke played on multiple albums by other artists throughout his career.

Jay North, a breakout child star turned successful American actor, succumbed to cancer on April 6 at the age of 73. In the 1950s, he played the endearing and mischievous character Dennis Mitchell in the hit TV series Dennis the Menace. After retiring from his prosperous acting career, North started an organization called A Minor Consideration, where he provided counsel to children working in the entertainment industry.

On May 1, Ruth Buzzi (Buz-ee), a beloved comedy-variety show star, passed away after complications arising from Alzheimer’s. She marked her status as a legendary comedian with her iconic portrayal of Gladys Ormphby, a character who wielded a purse as a weapon on the show Laugh-In. As a result of her stellar performance, she returned for every season. In addition, she also appeared in many other productions during her career and won a Golden Globe award for her work on Laugh-In.

Priscilla Pointer is remembered endearingly by those close to her. She was best known for her powerful role as Rebecca Barnes Wentworth in the hit TV series Dallas. She passed quietly at an assisted living facility just weeks shy of turning 101. Her career started in theater and Broadway in the 1940s and later moved to TV and film. Her daughter, Amy Irving, followed in her footsteps, also becoming a well-respected actress.

Jiggly Caliente, also known as Bianca Castro-Arabejo, was a transgender Filipino-American drag queen and TV personality. She died tragically at the age of 44 after a severe infection. Her drag persona was born in the early 2000s and gained popularity after she appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race. She starred in a subsequent All Stars season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and also became the main judge on Drag Race Philippines. Her career wasn’t just limited to the drag world—she also released a debut album and appeared in several films.

Will Hutchins was an American actor turned circus clown who passed away on April 21 at 94 due to respiratory failure. He was revered for his lead role as Tom Brewster in the 1950s Western Sugarfoot. He was also known for his role as Dagwood in the Blondie series and working with Elvis Presley on the shows Spinout and Clambake.

From DJ to television producer, Wink Martindale was a pop culture icon who died on April 15 at 91 after a battle with Lymphoma. He hosted the legendary game shows Gambit and Tic-Tac-Dough. With a career spanning decades, fans grew to love his resonant voice and extroverted personality.

Patrick Adiarte, a Filipino actor known for portraying Asian characters in American TV productions, passed away on April 15 at 82 after complications from pneumonia. He began his acting career as a child and was most known for his role as Ho-Jon in M*A*S*H and his appearance on Hawaiian episodes of The Brady Bunch.

In 1983, Pamela Bach made her acting debut in the drama film Humble Fish. Her passing on March 5 at the age of 62 was ruled a suicide. She married David Hasselhoff in 1989 after they met on the set of Knight Rider, but subsequently separated in 2006. Her other notable roles were on The Young and the Restless and Sirens.

David Johansen, legendary lead singer of the proto-punk band the New York Dolls, died from cancer at 75 in his home on February 28. Before the band split in 1975, they pioneered the glam-punk genre with their flamboyant style and sound. In addition to his work with the band, Johansen worked as a soloist under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter and also had an impressive acting career.

Jill Sobule, a singer-songwriter, lost her life in a devastating house fire on May 1 at 66 years old. Sadly, she had a performance scheduled for the day after her passing. Most recognised for contributing “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel” to the soundtrack from the 1995 movie Clueless, she advocated for queer acceptance and representation.

Lar Park Lincoln was an American actress who dedicated her 45-year-long career to delivering dynamic film and television performances. Her most famous roles include Tina Shepard in Friday the 13th Part VII and Linda Fairgate in Knots Landing. Later in life, she mentored aspiring actors through her own audition studio situated in Texas. She passed away on April 22 at 63 after a long battle with breast cancer.

Ted Kotcheff, memorialized as a highly esteemed Canadian director and producer, had fatal heart failure on April 10, just days after his 94th birthday. His career began at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation at the young age of 24. In 1971, he directed the Australian film Wake in Fright, which was critically acclaimed in Europe, earning an entry at the Cannes Film Festival. The release of Weekend at Bernie’s in 1989 marked a significant point in his career as a Hollywood director. He later went on to produce the iconic TV show Law & Order: SVU for well over a decade, and also directed other legendary films throughout his career.

If you know the Boston Red Sox, you're probably familiar with their official victory anthem, “Dirty Water”. The garage band, The Standells, released the hit anthem in the 1960s. Larry Tamblyn was the founder, lead vocalist, and keyboard player of the band till his passing on March 21 at 82. The band reunited in 2009, and the members had their final tour in 2014. Tamblyn is survived by his brother, Russ, nephew Dennis, and niece Amber, who named him the coolest member of their family.

Lulu Roman was a go-go dancer and comedian who later became a revered country gospel singer. In 1971, during her time on the country variety show Hee Haw, she battled with drug addiction, which led to her absence for a few seasons of the show. She kicked off her career as a country gospel singer after getting clean and converting to Christianity. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 78 in her son’s home on April 23 after suffering heart failure.

Tony award-winning lyricist and composer William Finn died from pulmonary fibrosis on April 7 at the age of 73. He was known for his emotive and revolutionary musicals such as The Falsettos and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He was praised for writing all of his incredibly witty and innovative lyrics.

Richard Norton was an Australian-born stuntman and martial artist who died at 75 on March 30, leaving behind his wife, Judy. He started off as a bodyguard, soon transitioning into a celebrity trainer and stunt choreographer. His most notable work is on Mad Max, Walker Texas Ranger, Suicide Squad, and Dark Phoenix.

Jesse Colin Young was the lead singer and founding member of the 1960s group The Youngbloods. He died at his home on March 16 at the age of 83. Youngbloods released five albums before separating in 1972. Their 1969 unity-positive anthem "Get Together" smashed records with its number 5 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Young continued his career as a soloist until 2019, when he released his last album called Dreamers.

Also known as J.P., Jan Schwieterman was an American actor who passed away on February 28 at the age of 52, after battling stage 4 cancer. He is recognised for his role as the dramatic villain in the film Good Burger. Before retiring from acting, he made appearances in TV shows such as ER and films like Along the Way.

Robert John’s career as a musician began at the tender age of 12. The singer was most known for his 1979 Grammy-nominated single “Sad Eyes”. He passed away on February 24 at age 79, after complications of a stroke. John later found chart success with “If You Don’t Want My Love” and his version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” before earning a Grammy nod for his signature ballad.

Youngest on the list, Kirk Medas, tragically lost his life on May 2 at just 33 years old after suffering liver failure. He was best known for appearing on MTV’s Floribama Shore. He had been in the ICU for two weeks prior to his passing, with loved ones starting a GoFundMe to cover his medical bills. His family and friends keep his memory alive through touching messages.

The Sopranos and Horseface star, Charles “Charley” Scalies Jr., died on May 1 at the age of 84, after battling Alzheimer’s. Before assuming an acting career, he had a modest start as a comedian, working at his father’s pool hall. His career blossomed in the 90s through to the 2000s.

After a career spanning decades, Damien Thomas died on April 18, due to a neurodegenerative disease. He was well known for his role in the horror movie Twins of Evil and also had roles in Shogun, Never Let Me Go, and several others. He is survived by a large family with whom he shared his last moments.

Founding member and bass guitarist for the post-punk band called Gang of Four, Dave Allen passed on April 5 at 69 years old, after a battle with dementia. His pioneering bass guitar playing gave the band a uniquely blended sound. He is remembered by his bandmates through cherished memories of their musical journey together.

Young Scooter, aka Kenneth Bailey, a rapper from Atlanta, died on his 39th birthday March 28, after a freak accident involving a fence, which led to severe blood loss. He had over 20 mixtapes like Finessin’ & Flexin’ and Street Lottery under his belt, and also collaborated with other iconic artists such as Future, Juice WRLD, and Gucci Mane.

Beginning his music career in 1973, Brian James, was a songwriter and guitarist who co-founded the English punk rock band The Damned. Sadly, he passed away on March 6 at the age of 60. In 1976, he worked on the band’s first album, Damned Damned Damned, as lead songwriter which led to the birth of their trailblazing single “New Rose". In 1981, after departing from the band, he created The Lords of the New Church with whom he recorded three studio albums before separating in 1989. He also reunited with The Damned for iconic tours in the UK in 1988 and 2022.

Roy Ayers earned the title “Godfather of Neo Soul” through his work as a vibraphonist, composer, and record producer in America. His illustrious career spanned decades, with him releasing almost 50 albums and collaborating with other iconic artists like Whitney Houston. He passed away at the age of 84 after battling a long illness. He was renowned for his classic music and was sampled by popular artists like Tupac.