Celebs Who Died In 2025

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Note: This article includes mentions of suicide.

With each turn of the wheel of the year, it can often feel as if so much loss follows. Now that 2024 is firmly in the rearview with its celebrity deaths, many of us want to look forward. However, even though previous years might take a while to recover from, 2025 didn't waste any time in reaching for heartbreak. With early celebrity gut punches such as Wayne Osmond and Jeff Baena both passing away in the first week of January, it was clear this year was going to be a tough one for losing some beloved performers.

Grief is often difficult to navigate, especially when we're grieving someone we might not have known personally but feel deeply moved by what they gave to the world. Celebrity deaths are especially tricky, as it's often hard to know how to healthily express pain at the loss of a person who felt like a friend but was ultimately a stranger. One way to help is to revisit the work of any artist who has passed to be reminded of what connected you to them in the first place.

Here we have collected the names of those celebs who passed away in 2025, as well as reminders of their accolades, accomplishments, and what they leave behind for us to cherish.

After suffering a major stroke, Wayne Osmond tragically passed away on January 1, 2025. He was the fourth oldest of the nine Osmond children and left behind a legacy of music and faith. While performing with his brothers Alan Osmond, Merrill Osmond, and Jay Osmond under the moniker "The Osmonds," Wayne played guitar and even occasionally hopped behind the drum set. As performers, the Osmond family did face some struggles, but with Wayne's perfect pitch, they were able to work together to become one of America's most beloved family groups.

Leading up to his passing, Wayne struggled with health issues on and off for several decades. In 1997, Wayne was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and whereas treatment and surgery were successful, it did leave the performer partially deaf. After this Wayne was still able to perform, but in 2012 his health took another turn when he had his first stroke and lost the functional ability to play guitar.

When Wayne succumbed to his final stroke in 2025, Merrill took to Facebook to craft a warm remembrance post that included this loving tribute, "My brother Wayne endured much. He gave it his all. His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God. I will miss him tremendously." Wayne left behind his wife Kathlyn Osmond and their five children.

Independent filmmaker Jeff Baena, possibly most known for being Aubrey Plaza's husband, passed away on January 3, 2025. According to initial reports from TMZ, first responders declared he died by suicide. Baena boasted an impressive career in writing and directing independent films. After getting his start by collaborating with director David O. Russell on the script for 2004's "I Heart Huckabees," Baena went on to launch his own successful career. Between 2014 and 2022, Baena was able to direct five movies, and his work has received critical praise.

One of the more heartbreaking details regarding Baena's death was how often he and his wife would work alongside one another. Plaza starred in several of his films, including "Joshy" and "Life After Beth." Speaking with Movie Freak during the press tour of "The Little Hours" Plaza opened up on what it was like to work with her romantic partner. "I've worked with Jeff since his first movie. I've seen him evolve and I've seen him grow," she said. "It's a really special dynamic that we have." Other longtime collaborators of Baena include Alison Brie and her husband Dave Franco, with Brie co-writing "Spin Me Round" and "Horse Girl" and acting in several of Baena's films as well.

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Bob Uecker, the beloved voice of the Milwaukee Brewers and a towering figure in baseball — not for his batting average, but for his talent behind the mic — died on January 16, 2025, at the age of 90. His family confirmed that Uecker, who had privately dealt with lung cancer for two years, passed away peacefully. "Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss," the Brewers said in a statement. "He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend. Bob loved people; his presence warmed every room and he had a way of welcoming all of us into his world as if we were lifelong friends."

Before becoming "Mr. Baseball," Uecker actually played the game. He suited up for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves, and even snuck his way onto the Cardinals' 1964 World Series-winning roster. After hanging up his cleats, he found his groove in the booth, calling Brewers games for an impressive 54 seasons. He was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year five times and earned spots in both the National Radio Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his broadcasting work, though he quipped, "I still — and this is not sour grapes by any means — think I should have gone in as a player," per The New York Times.

Uecker never planned on becoming a legend. "Sometimes you say yes to something and then you ask yourself later, 'Why did I do this?'" he shared with Brewers Beat on his 90th birthday. "But when you really think about the times you thought about saying no but you said yes, it turned out to be something pretty good. Everything I've done has been pretty good." And it was.

Grammy-winning powerhouse Roberta Flack, who was behind timeless classics like "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "Feel Like Makin' Love," died on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. "She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator," a statement from her representatives read (via Variety). No official cause of death was shared at the time.

In 2022, however, Flack was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which ultimately robbed her of the ability to sing and made speaking difficult. A few years earlier, she'd also suffered a stroke but still managed to stage a comeback, finding ways to remain creatively engaged. "Ms. Flack plans to stay active in her musical and creative pursuits," her team told ABC News. "Her fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the international spotlight remain vibrant and inspired."

Flack's road to stardom wasn't exactly primed for Billboard charts. A classically trained pianist and former music teacher in Washington, her biggest dream was to perform classical music — not win Grammy after Grammy. But after being discovered at a jazz club, she took a chance, auditioned, and the rest, as they say, is history. She went on to earn 14 Grammy nominations and five wins, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Still, Flack never let fame define her. "I didn't try to be a soul singer, a jazz singer, a blues singer – no category," she shared with The Guardian. "My music is my expression of what I feel and believe in a moment."

Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in "Gossip Girl" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," passed away on February 26, 2025. Following her death, Trachtenberg's representative issued a statement to Us Weekly, saying, "It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away." They continued, "The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time." Unfortunately, it was Trachtenberg's mother who discovered her body at her home in New York. Multiple sources have confirmed that the actor previously underwent a liver transplant. Natural causes were originally floated around as her cause of death, but her family has decided against having her body autopsied, so the public may never know what actually happened.

Unofficially, sources close to Trachtenberg have revealed that she, indeed, suffered from bouts of serious illness. "We all knew she was sick, but we didn't realize how sick," shared one insider with Us Weekly. "For a long while, she had back issues and then bone problems; she fell a few times," they continued. The same insider also revealed that Trachtenberg frequently updated them about her health issues over the past decade, though they didn't dig into any specifics. Meanwhile, her friend, Amanda de Cadenet, revealed that the star was hospitalized at some undisclosed time shortly before her passing. "I will always remember you as the young vivacious woman I met when I took this photo of you ... and seeing your face from the hospital bed when we FaceTimed recently, even though you did not look like you, your sweetness and humor were still alive," she posted to her Instagram Stories. "I'm so sad for you that the outcome was not a better one."

Gene Hackman's death has shaken Hollywood, but not just because the world has lost one of its most illustrious careers, which saw him star in a slew of iconic roles, including "Mississippi Burning," "The French Connection," "Unforgiven," and several more. Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs, died while at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, under very tragic and unsettling circumstances that will take time to unravel. Following the news, Hackman's family released a statement to confirm their passing. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy," shared Hackman's family (via The Wrap). "He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss."

The emerging details suggest that the early reports stating that their deaths weren't suspicious may not accurately describe the whole story. For example, Hackman, who was 95 years old, was located in a different area of his home than his wife of over three decades, NBC News reported. While Hackman's body was located in his mudroom, his wife's body was in a bathroom, dangerously close to a space heater. The report also revealed that Hackman's wife, who was roughly 30 years younger than him, had prescription medication "scattered on the countertop" of her bathroom. While both had started to decompose, his wife was further along. "It's not normal to find two people deceased in the residence," shared Sheriff Adan Mendoza. "That's concerning. And then there was also a dog that was in a kennel that was also found deceased." The investigation is ongoing.

George Foreman, the heavyweight legend who went toe-to-toe with Muhammad Ali and later became a successful entrepreneur, died on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76. Nicknamed "Big George," Foreman passed away in a Houston hospital, though the cause of death has not been disclosed. "Our hearts are broken. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones," his family noted in a statement. "A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose."

Boxing wasn't exactly part of the plan for Foreman. He was a high school dropout with few prospects until the Job Corps came along — and with it, a boxing class. "I went into boxing at the age of 17 to lose weight and become a great street fighter," he told Ringside Report in 2000. "Next thing I know, I was fighting as a Golden Glover. It basically all happened as an accident." It was an accident that racked up 76 wins, only five losses, and a second act in the ring that saw him reclaim the heavyweight title in his 40s.

Foreman fought his final fight in 1997 and officially hung up his gloves in 1999, pivoting into showbiz and entrepreneurship. His very own George Foreman Grill became a kitchen staple, selling over 100 million units and earning him a fortune. "My attorney came to me and said, 'George, you're making other people wealthy, why don't you make yourself wealthy?'" he shared with People. "And he told me about this grill." Foreman is survived by his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, and his 11 children — five of whom are also named George.

The film industry was stunned on April 1, 2025, with the news that Val Kilmer — the legendary actor whose roles in "Top Gun" and "Batman Forever" cemented his superstar status — had died at the age of 65. According to his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, he passed away due to pneumonia. Tributes rolled in right away, prompting the family to extend their gratitude to everyone. "Thank you for honoring our extraordinary father's memory," their statement read (via People). "We are so proud of him and honored to see his legacy celebrated. At this time, we would like to grieve privately."

Though Kilmer's on-set reputation wasn't exactly spotless — he was notoriously difficult to work with, leading some to avoid casting him — his talent was not to be questioned. And sure, he didn't collect as many trophies as some of his peers, but those in the know respected the craft. Iconic film critic Roger Ebert even once wrote, "If there is an award for the most unsung leading man of his generation, Kilmer should get it."

In the final years of his life, Kilmer retreated from the spotlight, appearing in only a handful of projects since 2017, largely due to throat cancer, which led to a tracheostomy and the loss of his voice. But even then, the fire within him never went out. "People around me struggle to understand me when I'm talking. But despite all that, I still feel I'm the exact same person, still the same creative soul," he said in a 2021 video that recreated his voice with AI. "A soul that dreams ideas and stories constantly. But now I can express myself again, I can bring these dreams to you, and show you this part of myself once more. A part that was never truly gone, just hiding away."

Jay North, the former child star who brought the mischievous Dennis Mitchell to life on "Dennis the Menace," died on April 6, 2025, at his home in Lake Butler, Florida. He was 73 years old. His death was confirmed by his longtime friend Laurie Jacobson, who shared that North died of colorectal cancer. "As many of his fans know, he had a difficult journey in Hollywood and after... but he did not let it define his life," she wrote in a Facebook post. "He had a heart as big as a mountain, loved his friends deeply. He called us frequently and ended every conversation with 'I love you with all my heart.' And we loved him with all of ours. A life-long friend of Jon's, a brother to Jeanne and a dear friend to me, we will miss him terribly. He is out of pain now. His suffering is over. At last he is at peace."

North's acting career began when he was just 5 years old. By age 8, he was a household name thanks to "Dennis the Menace," a role he played for four seasons. But early fame came with a heavy price. He later revealed he had been pushed hard by adults around him and struggled to shed the all-American boy image that made him famous. Still, he kept working, appearing in titles including "Maya" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." Eventually, he was able to have a clean slate. "I'm finally starting a new life and burying Dennis Mitchell," he told The Baltimore Sun in 1993. "I need very badly again to be Jay North — whoever that is."

In the late 1970s, North left Hollywood and enlisted in the Navy, later serving as a corrections officer in Florida. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Hackney, and three stepdaughters.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the 266th pope and most notably the first Jesuit and Latin American pontiff, died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He reportedly died in Casa Santa Marta, the simple Vatican quarters he made his home instead of the traditional and far flashier Apostolic Palace. "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father's house," part of the official statement read, announced by the Vatican camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell. The statement also praised Francis' lifelong commitment to the Church and his unapologetic advocacy for the poor and marginalized.

The last stretch of Pope Francis' life came with more than its fair share of medical hurdles. He was admitted for over a month at the hospital and had no choice but to spend the 12th anniversary of his papacy there. Not long after, the official paperwork confirmed the cause — a stroke, a coma, and an irreversible cardiovascular collapse — according to a report from the Catholic News Agency. It was Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, who signed off on the death certificate, which noted that the late pontiff had a history of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and acute respiratory failure.

In his place, the conclave elected Pope Leo XIV — a historic pick as the first American pontiff. Leo made sure to honor his predecessor at a memorial a month later. "We cannot conclude this encounter without remembering, with deep gratitude, our beloved Pope Francis, who returned to the Father's house," he said.

Not many people can say they were beloved for hitting others with a handbag, but Ruth Buzzi could. The comedy world lost a good one when the "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" star said goodbye on May 1, at age 88, after years of living with Alzheimer's. Part of her family's announcement read, "Ruth Buzzi died peacefully in her sleep at home in Texas. She was in hospice care for several years."

As if Alzheimer's wasn't enough, her husband Kent Perkins shared in July 2022 that Buzzi had unfortunately suffered "devastating strokes" that left her largely immobile. But even if that were the case, she was still apparently sneaking in jokes and feeling the love from fans pulling for her recovery. "She is dealing with this situation bravely... With the love of God in her heart and soul, she thanks you for being her friend," he penned in a Facebook post at the time.

Buzzi's career was nothing short of packed — so much so that she even managed to work right up until 2021, resulting in her leaving behind a pretty impressive (not to mention lengthy) acting CV. While she was best known for her work in "Laugh-In," she also lent her talents to all sorts of projects like "Sesame Street," the original "Freaky Friday," "That Girl," and many more. She eventually retired in Texas along with Perkins. "Living in the beauty and solitude of this ranch is the perfect way to unwind from a hectic career and the hustle and bustle of Hollywood," she told the Post-Journal.

Longtime "Cheers" fans — especially those who found themselves wondering what happened to the cast — were left stunned in May 2025, when news broke that George Wendt had died. The Emmy-nominated actor, who famously played beer-guzzling bar regular Norm Peterson across the show's 11-season run, passed away on May 20 at his home in Studio City, California. His manager, Geoff Cheddy, and publicist, Melissa Nathan, confirmed the news. No official cause of death was disclosed, but his family's statement remembered him as "a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever."

Ironically, Wendt's iconic role as Norm may have revolved around downing beer, but in real life, he wasn't exactly a fan — especially of the flat, salted brew they served on set to create foam. "There I was slamming those down for a whole day. It not only tastes disgusting, I was afraid of keeling over from high blood pressure," he dished to The Washington Post in 1985. "Then I got the knack. I didn't have to put all those brews away. It only mattered when the camera was pointing my way. It took a couple of years, but now I watch the camera. That's how I make my money. That's acting."

Shortly after the news of Wendt's passing, many of his "Cheers" co-stars, along with his peers in the industry, wasted no time paying tribute to the actor. This, of course, included his nephew, Jason Sudeikis, the only son of one of his sisters. "He's as fun and kind and as warm as any character he played on television or in films," the "Ted Lasso" star said at a fundraiser for Children's Mercy Hospital, per KSHB 41. "He was an incredible influence to me, both as someone that plays the trail, being from the Midwest and teaching me that acting was a career you could actually have, if you really care about it."

Just months after the family revealed his Alzheimer's diagnosis, "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson died at the age of 79. His passing was announced in May 2025, with the Robertsons sharing the news across their socials, although, as of this writing, the official cause of death hasn't been made public.

His death didn't come as a total shock, though. In December 2024, the family had already announced that Phil was facing a litany of health issues that had rendered him unable to work — or even do public-facing activities at all. "According to the doctors, they're sure that he has some sort of blood disease that's causing all kinds of problems. It's accelerated and it's causing problems with his entire body," his son Jase dished in an episode of the "Unashamed With the Robertson Family" podcast. "He's just not doing well. He's really struggling." And while Phil reportedly had every intention of bouncing back to business as usual even amid his sickness, Jase admitted soon after that things weren't looking up. "[He's] not good," he said, and went on to note that they have since prioritized keeping him as comfortable as possible to ease his worsening symptoms.

Since the announcement of his death, the Robertson clan has gone all-in in sharing tributes and stories about Phil's final moments. His son Willie even revealed what turned out to be what he believed were his dad's last words. "'You're my brother'. It made total sense to me," he wrote on Instagram. "He always told me we were coworkers in the Kingdom of God. Maybe that's why I always just called him Phil. Not sure if he's up in Heaven now doing his own dance moves for our Father."

May didn't let up 'til the end — TV fans said goodbye to another icon in 2025. Loretta Swit, forever etched in TV history as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on "M*A*S*H," died at 87 from what's being reported as "suspected natural causes," according to her publicist Harlan Boll, per The Hollywood Reporter. The role earned her not just one, but two Emmys, as well as four Golden Globe nominations during the show's legendary run.

Swit's character may have started off as one-dimensional, often the target of sexist jokes from her male colleagues, but she refused to let "Hot Lips" remain that way. "Around the second or third year I decided to try to play her as a real person, in an intelligent fashion, even if it meant hurting the jokes," Swit shared in "The Complete Book of 'M.A.S.H" book. "She was a character in constant flux; she never stopped developing." And her persistence eventually paid off. The writers dropped the nickname later on, and the character evolved into just "Margaret." Co-star Alan Alda echoed that in his tribute to the star. "She worked hard In showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Swit definitely had a good run in Hollywood, just as she intended. "M*A*S*H" aside, she racked up acting credits after acting credits, appearing in all sorts of projects, including but not limited to "Hawaii Five-O," "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," "Beer," and "The Love Boat." And unsurprisingly, she lit the Broadway stage as well, starring in productions like "Shirley Valentine" and "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." And just as you thought she was retired for good, she returned after a decades-long break from film for one last project, starring in 2019's "Play the Flute." For Swit, her career was everything. "I'm not interested in being married," she told People in 1979. "I love my work and I love my friends. I can't imagine having a happier life."

Valerie Mahaffey may not have been a household name, but chances are you've seen her in something — and remembered her. She died on May 30, 2025, in Los Angeles at 71 years old, with her husband, actor Joseph Kell, disclosing that it was due to cancer. "I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed," he said in a statement obtained by Variety. Her daughter, Alice Ziolkoski, also shared a touching tribute for her on Instagram. "Don't really have the words to say right now. cancer sucks," she wrote." 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 break came in the early '90s when she raked in an Emmy for playing the hypochondriac Eve on the show "Northern Exposure." Her career pretty much exploded from there, allowing her to become one of TV's most welcome recurring faces, turning up in just about everything — "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," "Young Sheldon," "Dead to Me," and more. And while she was known for bringing depth to every role, Mahaffey always insisted that authenticity was what really mattered, both in her work and in life. "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... [in relating to the arts] there used to be a bit of an act — I didn't want to offend people," she told Film Speak in 2021. "But now my only job is to be authentic as a person, [and then] it kind of translates into your art and that has become pretty important to me."