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As each year passes, it often feels like we’re saying goodbye to a lot. Now that 2024 is over, with all its sad moments, including the deaths of many celebrities, many people are hoping for a fresh start. But 2025 didn’t give us much of a break. It began with more sad news, as beloved celebrities like Wayne Osmond and Jeff Baena passed away just in the first week of January. That made it clear that this year might be another hard one when it comes to losing famous people we care about.
Grief can be confusing and painful, especially when we’re mourning someone we never actually met. Still, these celebrities may have made us laugh, cry, think, or feel seen through their music, movies, or work, and that creates a strong emotional bond. The sadness we feel is real, even if we only knew them through a screen. It can be hard to know how to deal with those emotions, because it’s not always easy to grieve someone who felt like a friend but wasn’t part of our real-life circle.
One way to find comfort is to revisit the work these artists created. Watching their movies, listening to their music, or reading their books can remind us of why we felt connected to them in the first place, and help us celebrate the joy they brought into the world.
In this list, we’ve gathered the names of the celebrities who passed away in 2025 so far, along with highlights of what they achieved and the beautiful memories they’ve left behind.
Here’s a list of 12 Celebrities who died in 2025!
Gene Hackman
The news of Gene Hackman‘s death has deeply shaken Hollywood, not only because he was a legendary actor with an incredible career, but also because of the tragic and mysterious way he passed away. Gene Hackman starred in many famous films like Mississippi Burning, The French Connection, and Unforgiven, and was respected all over the world for his talent. But what makes this loss even sadder is that he died along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs, at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The details surrounding their deaths are heartbreaking and unclear, and it may take time for the full story to be understood.
After the news broke, Hackman’s family released a public statement confirming the tragedy. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy,” the family said (as reported by The Wrap). “He was admired by millions for his amazing acting career, but to us, he was simply Dad and Grandpa. We’re heartbroken and will miss him deeply.”
Although early reports suggested there was nothing suspicious about their deaths, new information is raising questions. According to NBC News, Gene Hackman, who was 95 years old, was found in the mudroom of his house, while his wife, who was around 30 years younger, was found in a bathroom near a space heater. There were prescription pills scattered on the bathroom counter where she was found. Her body showed more signs of decomposition than his, which suggests she may have died earlier.
Adding to the mystery, one of their dogs was also found dead, still locked in a kennel. “It’s not normal to find two people dead in the same house like this,” said Sheriff Adan Mendoza. “That alone is concerning.”
Right now, the investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are working to understand exactly what happened in those final days.
Val Kilmer
On April 1, 2025, the world of film was left in shock after hearing that Val Kilmer had passed away at the age of 65. Kilmer was a famous and beloved actor known for his unforgettable roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and many more. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, shared that he died from pneumonia. As soon as the news broke, fans and fellow actors began pouring out love and tributes. In response, his family released a statement thanking everyone: “Thank you for honoring our extraordinary father’s memory. We are so proud of him and touched by all the love. Right now, we ask for privacy as we grieve.”
Val Kilmer wasn’t always easy to work with—he had a reputation for being difficult on set, which led some directors to think twice before casting him. But one thing was never in doubt: his incredible talent. Even if he didn’t win as many awards as some others, people who truly understood acting always respected his skills. Famous critic Roger Ebert once said, “If there’s an award for the most underrated leading man of his time, Kilmer deserves it.”
In the last years of his life, Kilmer mostly stepped away from the spotlight. After being diagnosed with throat cancer, he had to go through a tracheostomy, which caused him to lose his natural voice. Because of this, he appeared in very few films after 2017. But even though his body had changed, his creative spirit was as strong as ever. In a 2021 video, where he used AI technology to recreate his voice, Kilmer shared: “People find it hard to understand me when I talk now. But inside, I’m still the same person. I’m still filled with ideas and stories. And now, I can finally share them again. This part of me was never gone, just hidden for a while.”
George Foreman
On March 21, 2025, the world lost a true legend. George Foreman, famous heavyweight boxing champion and later a beloved businessman, passed away at the age of 76 in a hospital in Houston. While the exact cause of his death hasn’t been shared publicly, his family confirmed that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved him most.
In a heartfelt statement, his family said: “Our hearts are broken. With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. He was a faithful preacher, a loving husband, a caring father, and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather. He lived his life with strong faith, deep humility, and a true sense of purpose.”
Interestingly, boxing wasn’t something George planned on doing. As a teenager, he had dropped out of high school and didn’t see a clear future, until he joined the Job Corps, a government program that helped young people gain skills. That’s where he found a boxing class and stepped into the ring for the first time. “I started boxing at 17 to lose weight and become a better street fighter,” he once said in an interview. “Next thing I knew, I was winning Golden Gloves competitions.” What started as a random choice turned into an incredible career: 76 wins, only 5 losses, and a stunning comeback in his 40s where he became heavyweight champion again.
After officially retiring from boxing in 1999, George didn’t slow down. He moved into the world of business and entertainment, and that’s when the George Foreman Grill became a household name. It sold over 100 million units and made him a fortune. He once shared, “My lawyer told me, ‘George, you’re helping other people get rich, why not help yourself?’ That’s when he introduced me to the grill.”
George Foreman is survived by his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, and their 11 children, including five sons who are all named George, a funny and loving tradition he proudly kept.
Pope Francis
On April 21, 2025, the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He was 88 years old. Pope Francis was the 266th pope of the Catholic Church and made history as the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope. He passed away peacefully in Casa Santa Marta, a modest guesthouse within the Vatican where he chose to live instead of the grand Apostolic Palace. He was known for his simple lifestyle, deep humility, and love for the poor.
The Vatican announced his death early that morning. “Dear brothers and sisters, with heavy hearts, we share that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has passed away,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican official in charge of such announcements. “At 7:35 AM, the Bishop of Rome returned to the Father’s house.” The official message praised Francis for dedicating his entire life to service, especially to the poor, the outcast, and the forgotten.
Pope Francis had been dealing with serious health problems in his final months. He was hospitalized for over a month and was too unwell to celebrate the 12th anniversary of his papacy. According to the Catholic News Agency, his cause of death was a stroke that led to a coma and severe heart failure. His death certificate, signed by the Vatican’s head of health services, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, also listed his ongoing conditions, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and lung problems.
After his passing, the Church held a special conclave and chose a new pope: Pope Leo XIV, who made history again as the first American pope. At a memorial held a month later, Pope Leo spoke warmly of the man he followed: “We cannot end this gathering without remembering, with deep love and gratitude, our dear Pope Francis, who has returned to the Father’s house.”
Ruth Buzzi
Not many people become famous for playfully hitting people with a handbag, but Ruth Buzzi did, and the world adored her for it. The legendary comedian, best known for her hilarious role on the show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 1, 2025, at the age of 88. She had been living in Texas and had been under hospice care for several years, as her family shared in their announcement.
Ruth had been quietly battling Alzheimer’s disease for a long time. In 2022, her husband Kent Perkins also revealed that she had suffered multiple serious strokes, which left her mostly unable to move. Even then, she didn’t lose her spirit. Kent said she was still cracking jokes and feeling the warmth of her fans’ love and support. In a touching Facebook post, he wrote, “She is facing all of this with great courage… With God’s love in her heart, she thanks you for being her friend.”
Ruth Buzzi’s career was long and full of joy. She kept working all the way until 2021, proving her deep love for comedy and acting. While most people remember her for her role in Laugh-In, she also appeared in many other beloved shows and movies, like Sesame Street, the original Freaky Friday, That Girl, and more. She was truly a familiar face to generations of viewers.
In her later years, Ruth retired from the busy world of Hollywood and settled down with her husband on a peaceful ranch in Texas. She once shared, “Living in the beauty and quiet of this ranch is the perfect way to relax after such a busy career.”
Ruth Buzzi made the world laugh for decades, and even in her final years, she showed bravery, humour, and gratitude. She will be remembered with great love.
George Wendt
Fans of the classic TV show Cheers were heartbroken in May 2025 when they heard that George Wendt, the actor who played the lovable bar regular Norm Peterson, had passed away. He died on May 20 at the age of 76, at his home in Studio City, California. His longtime manager, Geoff Cheddy, and publicist, Melissa Nathan, confirmed the news. While the exact cause of his death wasn’t made public, his family shared a heartfelt message: “He was a loving family man, a loyal friend, and someone who meant a lot to everyone lucky enough to know him. We will miss him always.”
George Wendt was best known for playing Norm, the cheerful and beer-loving customer on Cheers, a role he played for 11 seasons. Ironically, though, Wendt wasn’t a fan of beer in real life. In fact, the fake beer they used on set was especially unpleasant. “It tasted awful, flat and salty,” he once told The Washington Post. “I had to pretend to drink it all day. I worried it would raise my blood pressure!” But over time, he figured out the trick: only drink when the camera is actually filming. “That’s how you act,” he said with a smile.
After his death, many of Wendt’s friends, co-stars, and fans honored him with warm tributes. One especially touching tribute came from his nephew, actor Jason Sudeikis, best known for Ted Lasso. Jason spoke at a charity event and said, “My uncle was just as fun, kind, and warm in real life as he was on TV. He inspired me a lot—he showed me that a kid from the Midwest could actually become a working actor, if you really loved it.”
Jay North
Jay North, the actor who became famous as a child for playing Dennis the Menace on TV, passed away on April 6, 2025, at the age of 73. He died at his home in Lake Butler, Florida, after battling colorectal cancer. His close friend Laurie Jacobson confirmed the sad news and shared a touching message on Facebook. “Jay had a tough time in Hollywood and in life,” she wrote, “but he never let that define him. He had a huge heart and loved his friends deeply. He always ended every call by saying, ‘I love you with all my heart.’ And we loved him right back. He’s finally out of pain and at peace.”
Jay started acting when he was just 5 years old. By the time he was 8, he was already a household name thanks to his role as the mischievous but lovable Dennis Mitchell. He starred in Dennis the Menace for four seasons. But becoming famous so young wasn’t easy. Jay later said that adults around him pushed him too hard and that it was difficult for him to grow up and be seen as anyone other than “Dennis.”
Even so, Jay kept acting in shows like Maya and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., but eventually decided to leave Hollywood behind. In the late 1970s, he joined the U.S. Navy, and later worked as a corrections officer in Florida. In a 1993 interview, he said, “I’m finally starting a new life. I’m ready to just be Jay North, whatever that is.”
Michelle Trachtenberg
Michelle Trachtenberg, the beloved actress known for her roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, passed away on February 26, 2025. She was found in her New York home by her mother, and the news has left fans and loved ones heartbroken. Her representative confirmed the loss in a brief statement: “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Michelle had undergone a liver transplant in the past, and while “natural causes” were initially mentioned, her family chose not to have an autopsy performed, so the exact cause of her death remains unknown.
According to sources close to her, Michelle had been dealing with serious health problems for a long time. “We knew she was sick, but didn’t realise just how sick,” one insider shared. She reportedly suffered from back and bone issues, had experienced several falls, and often kept her close friends updated on her health, though never in great detail.
One of her friends, Amanda de Cadenet, shared a touching tribute on Instagram. She remembered the lively young woman she once photographed and also recalled their recent FaceTime call from Michelle’s hospital bed. “Even though you didn’t look like yourself anymore, your sweetness and humour still shone through,” she wrote. “I’m so sad that the outcome wasn’t a better one.”
Roberta Flack
Grammy-winning music icon Roberta Flack, best known for soul-stirring hits like “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. According to a statement from her representatives shared via Variety, she was surrounded by her family. “Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator,” the message read. No official cause of death was disclosed.
In 2022, Flack was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), a cruel condition that eventually took away her ability to sing and speak. Before that, she had already endured a stroke. But even in the face of serious illness, Flack’s love for music never faded. Her team once told ABC News that she still planned to stay active in her creative pursuits, a testament to her resilience and lifelong passion. “Her fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the international spotlight remain vibrant and inspired,” they said.
Flack’s path to stardom wasn’t one built on fame-seeking. A classically trained pianist and former school music teacher in Washington, D.C., she originally dreamed of becoming a concert pianist. Singing pop hits wasn’t the plan, until a chance performance at a jazz club changed her life. After being discovered and taking a leap of faith, she quickly rose to fame. She eventually earned 14 Grammy nominations and took home five trophies, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Yet through all the success, Roberta Flack never let labels or trends define her. “I didn’t try to be a soul singer, a jazz singer, a blues singer, no category,” she once told The Guardian. “My music is my expression of what I feel and believe in a moment.”
Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker, the legendary broadcaster and longtime voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2025, at the age of 90. His family later confirmed that he had been privately battling lung cancer for the past two years.
To generations of fans, Uecker wasn’t just a sports announcer, he was the sound of summer, the heartbeat of Milwaukee baseball, and a beloved part of Wisconsin’s identity. “Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts,” the Brewers said in a tribute. “His passing is a profound loss. Bob loved people, and his presence lit up every room.”
Before becoming known as “Mr. Baseball,” Uecker played the game himself. He suited up for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves, even earning a spot on the Cardinals’ 1964 World Series championship team. Though his playing career was modest, it was his booming voice and razor-sharp humor in the broadcast booth that made him a true legend.
For an incredible 54 seasons, Uecker called Brewers games, painting vivid pictures with his words and making fans laugh along the way. He was honoured five times as Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and was inducted into both the National Radio Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the latter for his broadcasting brilliance. Always self-deprecating, he once joked, “I still, and this is not sour grapes, think I should have gone in as a player.”
Jeff Baena
Jeff Baena, the talented independent filmmaker behind a string of offbeat, thought-provoking films, passed away on January 3, 2025. He was 46. TMZ initially reported that Baena died by suicide. His passing is a heartbreaking loss for the indie film community and for those who knew him as both a gifted storyteller and a deeply collaborative spirit.
Baena first broke into the industry as a co-writer on the 2004 philosophical comedy I Heart Huckabees, working alongside director David O. Russell. But it didn’t take long for him to step into his own spotlight. Between 2014 and 2022, Baena wrote and directed a series of acclaimed independent films, including Life After Beth, Joshy, The Little Hours, Horse Girl, and Spin Me Round. His work was known for its quirky tone, emotional honesty, and genre-bending storytelling.
Much of Baena’s creative journey was shared with his wife, actress Aubrey Plaza, who starred in several of his films. Their personal and professional partnership was often described as a uniquely supportive and inspiring one. During a press tour for The Little Hours, Plaza reflected, “I’ve worked with Jeff since his first movie. I’ve seen him evolve and I’ve seen him grow. It’s a really special dynamic that we have.”
Baena also frequently collaborated with other indie favorites like Alison Brie and Dave Franco, with Brie co-writing and acting in multiple projects. His circle of creative partners often described him as thoughtful, quiet, and deeply intuitive, a writer and director who made space for vulnerability and connection, both on and off the screen.
While his loss is deeply felt, Jeff Baena’s voice lives on through the stories he told, the people he touched, and the uniquely human lens through which he saw the world.
Valerie Mahaffey
Valerie Mahaffey, a luminous presence on screens big and small, even if you didn’t always know her name, passed away on May 30, 2025, in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer. She was 71. Her husband, actor Joseph Kell, shared the heartbreaking news, saying, “I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed.”
Her daughter, Alice Ziolkoski, also honored her mother with a simple, poignant Instagram post: “Don’t really have the words to say right now. Cancer sucks. I’ll look for you in all the fun moments of life. I know that’s where you’ll be. I know we’ll see each other again someday. I love you infinity much.”
Mahaffey’s big moment came in the early 1990s when she won an Emmy for her unforgettable portrayal of Eve, the anxious yet endearing hypochondriac on Northern Exposure. From there, she became one of television’s most quietly iconic character actresses — the kind who could light up a scene in seconds and leave a lasting impression. She left her mark on series like Desperate Housewives, Dead to Me, Grey’s Anatomy, Young Sheldon, and countless others, often playing characters with warmth, wit, and just enough edge to make them unforgettable.
But beyond the roles, Mahaffey’s commitment to truth and vulnerability shaped her legacy. In a 2021 interview with Film Speak, she reflected on how her journey as an artist and woman had evolved: “It’s time to divest of some things, to understand what’s been terrible about yourself (which is really sad!), but also to be kind to yourself… Now my only job is to be authentic as a person, and that kind of translates into your art.”