The year 2025 brought painful goodbyes for fans around the world. Several well known actors, musicians, and entertainers passed away, leaving behind long careers that shaped movies, television, and music for decades. For many people, it felt like loss after loss without much time to catch a breath.
Fans shared their reactions across social media and in comments, often repeating the same feeling. One person wrote, “So many good ones lost.” Another simply said, “It’s been a rough year.”
Below is a look back at some of the celebrities we lost in 2025, along with brief reminders of why they mattered so much. Each name carries a career that meant something personal to fans, even if they never met them.
Gene Hackman
The legendary actor died at the age of 95 on February 18. Days later, Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe Summit. His death marked the end of one of the most respected acting careers in film.
Hackman was known for playing complex and often flawed characters. Over more than four decades, he brought realism to roles that felt grounded, whether he was portraying authority figures, antiheroes, or deeply conflicted men.
Marianne Faithfull
The British singer and actress died on January 30. According to a statement from her spokesperson, she passed away peacefully in London, surrounded by family. She was long associated with the Swinging Sixties and later earned praise for reinventing herself after years of personal struggle.
Faithfull was closely linked to rock history and was known for her relationship with Mick Jagger. Later in life, she gained critical acclaim for albums like “Broken English,” which showed a deeper, rougher side of her artistry that resonated with listeners.
Richard Chamberlain
Chamberlain died on March 29 at the age of 90 in Waimanalo, Hawai’i, following complications from a stroke. He first became a household name in the 1960s as the star of the medical drama “Dr. Kildare.”
Later in his career, he found huge success in television miniseries like “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds.” His calm presence and classic leading man image made him a familiar face for generations of viewers.
Val Kilmer
The actor died on April 1 at age 65 from pneumonia, according to his daughter Mercedes Kilmer. He was widely known for starring in films such as 1986’s “Top Gun” and 1995’s “Batman Forever.”
Kilmer made his final on screen appearance in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” It served as a quiet full circle moment for fans who had followed his career for decades.
Ruth Buzzi
Buzzi passed away on May 1 at the age of 88. Her family said she died peacefully in her sleep at her Texas home after several years in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
She was best known for her work on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In,” where her sharp comedy earned her a Golden Globe win and an Emmy nomination. Her characters became unforgettable parts of sketch comedy history.
Loretta Swit
The actress died on May 30 at age 87 from natural causes at her home in New York City. She was widely known for playing Major Margaret J. “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the long running series “M*A*S*H.”
Her performance earned multiple awards and nominations over the years. Swit’s portrayal helped turn the character into one of television’s most recognizable and layered roles.
Bobby Sherman
Sherman died on June 24 at the age of 81. His wife, Brigitte Poublon Sherman, shared that he passed away peacefully while holding her hand, reflecting on their 29 year marriage.
He first rose to fame as a teen idol and later continued performing for decades. Sherman gave his final solo concert in 2001 and released his memoir, “Still Remembering You,” in 1996.
Julian McMahon
The Australian actor died on July 2 at age 56 in Clearwater, Florida, following a private battle with cancer. He was best known for his roles on “Nip Tuck” and “Charmed.”
His wife Kelly said he loved his family, his work, and his fans, and that his greatest wish was to bring joy to others. His loss was felt deeply by longtime television audiences.
Connie Francis
Francis died on July 16 at the age of 87, two weeks after being hospitalized for severe pain. She had recently gained renewed attention when her 1962 song “Pretty Little Baby” went viral on TikTok.
Her friend Ron Roberts confirmed her passing and said she would have wanted fans to hear the news first. Her music connected multiple generations in unexpected ways.
Ozzy Osbourne
The rock legend died at age 76 on July 22, surrounded by family. Weeks earlier, he performed from a throne during Black Sabbath’s farewell concert in Birmingham.
Osbourne was known both for his role in Black Sabbath and for his solo career. Later, he reached new audiences through reality television, sharing his family life with the world.
Loni Anderson
Anderson died on August 3 at a Los Angeles hospital after a prolonged illness, just days before her 80th birthday. She was best known for her role on “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
Her performance earned multiple award nominations and made her character a symbol of strength and wit. She remained a recognizable presence in television history.
Robert Redford
Redford died on September 16 at his home in Sundance, Utah, according to his publicist. He was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death.
Known for films like “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “Out of Africa,” he also founded the Sundance Institute and helped support generations of filmmakers.
Diane Keaton
Keaton died on October 11 in California at age 79. She rose to fame in the 1970s with “The Godfather” films and later won an Academy Award for “Annie Hall.”
Her career spanned decades and included a wide range of roles. She remained active and admired long after her early successes.
June Lockhart
Lockhart died on October 23 at age 100 at her home in Santa Monica. Her daughter and granddaughter were with her when she passed.
She began performing as a child and became best known for her role on “Lassie.” Her career stretched across nearly a century of entertainment.
Diane Ladd
Ladd died on November 3 at age 89 in Ojai, California, with her daughter by her side. She was known for roles in film and television spanning decades.
Her work earned multiple Academy Award and Emmy nominations. She remained respected for her consistency and range.
Sally Kirkland
Kirkland passed away on November 11 at age 84 after being in hospice care. She was best known for her role in “Anna,” which earned major award recognition.
She appeared in hundreds of film and television projects. Her career reflected a lifetime of steady work.
Rob Reiner
Reiner and his wife were found dead in their Los Angeles home on December 14. Authorities responded to a medical aid call and discovered the couple deceased.
Their son was later arrested and charged with their murder. Reiner was known for directing and acting in films like “The Princess Bride” and “A Few Good Men.”
Anthony Geary
Geary died on December 14 at age 78 due to complications from surgery. He was beloved for his long running role as Luke Spencer on “General Hospital.”
His work left a lasting impact on daytime television. Fans remembered him as a defining figure in soap opera history.
As 2025 came to an end, the entertainment world reflected on an unusual number of losses. These stars may be gone, but their work continues to live on through films, music, and memories shared by fans.
