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.