LIST: Honoring The Celebrities & Famous Figures We Lost In 2025
Saying “Goodbye” To Some Of The World’s Biggest Stars Who Passed Away In 2025
In 2025, we lost some of the most iconic celebrities and famous figures in entertainment, athletics, and more. Those who passed away include musical legends such as Ozzy Osbourne and Brian Wilson, as well as reality TV stars like Phil Robertson and Anne Burrell.
As we bring this year to a close, people are pausing to reflect on everything that happened in the past 12 months. Amidst that reflection, we remember the beloved figures, like those mentioned above, who are no longer with us.
This list recognizes dozens of celebrities and famous figures who passed away in 2025. Our hearts go out to those who loved them.
Remembering The Superstar Celebrities & Beloved Figures We Lost In 2025…
Wayne Osmond
One of the first celebrities we lost in 2025 was singer Wayne Osmond, the second-oldest member of the Osmond Brothers. He died on January 1, 2025, after suffering a stroke. He was 73 years old.
Wayne’s heartbroken younger brother, Donny, paid tribute to him in an emotional post on social media, writing, “Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”
Buck White
Country music legend Buck White of The Whites died on January 13. Buck’s daughters shared a statement through his son-in-law, Ricky Skaggs (who’s married to Buck’s daughter Sharon). It read:
“His great loves were the Lord, our mother, his family, and music. Most people will remember him not only for being a great musician and entertainer, but also for being fun-loving and full of mischief. He lived a full life and finished well.”
Prior to his passing, Buck was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Jan Shepard
Actress Jan Shepard died on January 17 at the age of 96. She passed away in Burbank, California, after a case of pneumonia led to respiratory failure.
Fans likely recognize Shepard from her roles in two Elvis Presley films. She played Mimi Fisher in 1958’s King Creole and Betty Kohana in 1966’s Paradise, Hawaiian Style.
Gene Hackman & Betsy Arakawa
Gene Hackman was an Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in projects such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, Bonnie & Clyde, Crimson Tide, and three Superman films. Betsy Arakawa was a classical pianist who married Hackman in 1991.
The couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe Home on February 26. They were 95 and 65 years old.
Authorities concluded that Arakawa died first, sometime around February 12, due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Authorities believe Hackman, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, was unable to process her passing, and he survived for several more days.
Hackman’s pacemaker recorded an abnormal rhythm on February 18 before he passed away. He died due to heart disease and complications caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
Michelle Trachtenberg
Actress Michelle Trachtenberg was another one of the beloved celebrities we lost early in 2025. She died on February 26 at the age of 39.
Trachtenberg underwent a liver transplant in the year before her death.
In April, the New York Chief Medical Examiner released their findings, indicating Trachtenberg died due to complications of diabetes. Such complications can sometimes occur after someone receives an organ transplant.
Trachtenberg will always be remembered for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, 17 Again, and Ice Princess, among other projects.
Doug Kiker
Doug Kiker rose to fame as “The Singing Garbage Man” on Season 18 of American Idol. His story and touching performance of “Bless the Broken Road” moved the judges to tears.
Kiker had no singing experience before appearing on Idol. He told the judges he simply enjoyed singing while riding on the back of his garbage truck.
Kiker earned a Golden Ticket to Hollywood, but was eliminated before the live shows. However, he returned for the finale to sing “Bless the Broken Road” once more.
Kiker lived a mostly private life after appearing on Idol. Still, it came as a shock when news broke that he died on March 10 at the age of 32. His cause of death was later revealed to be an accidental overdose.
Wings Hauser
Actor Gerald Dwight “Wings” Hauser died of natural causes on March 15. He was 78 years old.
Hauser starred in dozens of films and TV shows, including The Young and the Restless and Vice Squad. He earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his performance in the 1987 movie Tough Guys Don’t Dance.
Additionally, Hauser was the father of Yellowstone star Cole Hauser, who played Rip Wheeler on the hit Paramount series.
George Foreman
Heavyweight boxing champion, author, minister, and businessman George Foreman died on March 21 at the age of 76. Foreman, who was also known for his namesake George Foreman Grills, was with his family when he passed away.
“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,” the Foreman family shared in a statement.
Foreman’s memorial service was held a few weeks later on April 14.
Sian Barbara Allen
Actress Sian Barbara Allen passed away on March 31 at the age of 78. Her obituary stated that she died in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Allen became known for appearing in projects such as You’ll Like My Mother, Marcus Welby, M.D., and Gunsmoke. She is perhaps best known for playing Jenny Pendleton, John-Boy Walton’s love interest, in two episodes of The Waltons.
Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer, the actor known for his roles in Tombstone, Batman Forever, and the two Top Gun films, died on April 1 at the age of 65. Kilmer struggled with his health for several years before his passing and was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015.
The actor’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed that he died of pneumonia.
Kilmer’s Top Gun co-star, Tom Cruise, honored him in an emotional speech after his death. He said:
“I think it would be really nice if we could just have a moment all together and just take a moment because he loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us with his performances with his films. If we could just all take a moment and just think about all the wonderful times that we had with him…Thank you, Val. I wish you well on your next journey.”
Jay North
Jay North, the original star of the Dennis the Menace sitcom, died on April 6 at the age of 73. The actor’s longtime friend, Laurie Jacobson, shared that North died following a years-long battle with cancer.
In addition to starring in Dennis the Menace, North was also known for roles in Zebra in the Kitchen and Maya, and contributed to several projects as a voice actor.
She Trained Our Daughter to Be a Liar Inside Our Own Home — Instead, the School Exposed the Dark Truth She Desperately Tried to Hide
She Trained Our Daughter to Be a Liar Inside Our Own Home — Instead, the School Exposed the Dark Truth She Desperately Tried to Hide
After stealing Nia's design and claiming she had nothing left, a rival proudly wore the champagne gown on the runway, only to watch Nia unveil a breathtaking creation that silenced the entire audience.
After stealing Nia's design and claiming she had nothing left, a rival proudly wore the champagne gown on the runway, only to watch Nia unveil a breathtaking creation that silenced the entire audience.
On our eighth wedding anniversary, my husband Marcus confessed he had been sleeping with Vanessa for nearly a year, demanded that I accept her, and expected me to share our home and marriage without asking questions.
On our eighth wedding anniversary, my husband Marcus confessed he had been sleeping with Vanessa for nearly a year, demanded that I accept her, and expected me to share our home and marriage without asking questions.
