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Jan 08, 2026

LIST: Honoring The Celebrities & Famous Figures We Lost In 2025 part 2

Joey D. Vieira

Joey D. Vieira and the cast of Lassie
“Lassie” star Joey D. Vieira (pictured here with the Basset Hound on his lap) died on April 7, 2025. (Photo Credit: Laurie Jacobson / Facebook)

Joey D. Vieira was beloved for playing Sylvester “Porky” Brockway on the Lassie TV series from 1954 to 1957. He used the stage name Donald Keeler at the time.

The actor later became known for roles in projects such as The Patriot, The Pride of the Family, and Hank.

Vieira died on April 7, just one day before his 81st birthday. Jon Provost, who played Timmy Martin on Lassie, mourned his loss, saying:

“When I started lassie, we hit it off and remain[ed] friends forever. Joey was a great guy, a talented actor and even a successful record producer.“

Pope Francis

Pope Francis waves in 2024, the year before his death
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, the day after Easter Sunday. (Photo Credit: Franco Origlia / Getty Images)

Although he wasn’t a “celebrity,” Pope Francis was one of the world’s most recognizable figures. He died on April 21, the day after Easter, at the age of 88. Over 200,000 people attended his funeral mass on April 26.

On May 8, Pope Leo XIV, the first Pope from the United States, was revealed as Francis’ successor after a papal conclave.

Lulu Roman

“Hee Haw” star Lulu Roman passed away on April 23, 2025. (Photo Credit: CBS via Getty Images)

Lulu Roman rose to fame as a cast member on the country music-themed variety show Hee Haw. She also starred on the spin-off program Hee Haw Honeys.

Roman started singing after embracing the Christian faith. She released multiple gospel records and won a Dove Award in 1985. She published her autobiography, This Is My Story; This Is My Song, in 2019.

Roman moved to Bellingham, Washington in 2024 to be closer to her son. Seven months later, she died on April 23 at the age of 78.

Priscilla Pointer

“Dallas” actress Priscilla Pointer died on April 28, 2025. (Photo Credit: Bill Wunsch / The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Priscilla Pointer was known for playing Rebecca Barnes Wentworth on the classic TV series Dallas. She also starred in projects such as Carrie, Blue Velvet, and L.A. Law.

Pointer was just a few weeks shy of celebrating her 101st birthday when her daughter, actress and singer Amy Irving, confirmed that she passed away on April 28. She died of natural causes in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Roy Cooper

Rodeo legend Roy Cooper stands with his hands on his hips
Rodeo icon Roy Cooper, known as “The Super Looper,” died on April 29, 2025. (Photo Credit: Tuf Cooper – Official Fan Page / Facebook)

ProRodeo Hall of Famer Roy Cooper, known as “The Super Looper,” tragically died on April 29. He was 69 years old.

Cooper was killed when his home in Decatur, Texas, caught on fire. The one-story home was fully engulfed in flames.

Country music star George Strait was one of Cooper’s closest friends. After his death, Strait honored him by writing:

“He’s with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now. God be with the Cooper family and friends. We’ll miss you amigo. I’ll come find you one day.”

Joan O’Brien

Joan O'Brien and Elvis Presley in "It Happened at the World's Fair"
Joan O’Brien, pictured here in the film “It Happened at the World’s Fair” alongside Elvis Presley, died on May 5, 2025. (Photo Credit: FilmPublicityArchive / United Archives via Getty Images)

Actress Joan O’Brien died on May 5 at the age of 89. Her daughter, Melissa, confirmed the news of her passing, but did not provide any additional details.

O’Brien was beloved for her roles alongside Cary Grant in Operation Petticoat and John Wayne in The Alamo and The Comancheros. Additionally, she played Elvis Presley‘s love interest, Diane Warren, in the 1963 film It Happened at the World’s Fair.

Johnny Rodriguez

Country singer Johnny Rodriguez performing onstage in 1986
Country music star Johnny Rodriguez passed away on May 9, 2025. (Photo Credit: Paul Natkin / Getty Images)

Country music icon Johnny Rodriguez was another one of the beloved celebrities we lost in 2025. The singer who brought us tunes such as “You Always Come Back To Hurting Me,” “Desperado,” and “Love Put a Song in My Heart,” died on May 9. He was 73 years old.

His daughter, Aubry, shared the news in a heartbreaking statement. She wrote:

Phil Robertson

Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson delivers a sermon in 2014
Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” fame died on May 25, 2025. (Photo Credit: Suzanne Cordeiro / Corbis via Getty Images)

Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson passed away on May 25, just one month after his 79th birthday. “The Duck Commander” struggled with his health in the last year of his life, as he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and a blood disorder.

Upon sharing the news of his death, the Robertson family honored Phil as a father and man of faith. They said, “We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again.”

Jonathan Joss

Jonathan Joss official promotional headshot
“King of the Hill” voice actor Jonathan Joss was killed on June 1, 2025. (Photo Credit: IMDB)

Actor Jonathan Joss was known for his roles in shows such as Parks and Recreation and Taylor Sheridan‘s Tulsa King. From 1998 to 2009, he voiced John Redcorn on the animated series King of the Hill.

Joss was killed in a shooting following a confrontation with his neighbor in San Antonio, Texas, on June 1. He was 59 years old.

Police are still investigating the shooting that led to Joss’ death.

Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys wearing a tropical shirt
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys passed away on June 11. (Photo Credit: Harry Langdon / Getty Images)

Beach Boys co-founder and frontman Brian Wilson died on June 11 at the age of 82. His family shared the news of his passing in an emotional statement, writing:

“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”

Wilson’s cause of death was later revealed to be respiratory arrest. Sepsis and cystitis, a neurodegenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic respiratory failure, and chronic kidney disease were all listed as underlying problems.

Wilson’s passing sparked a flurry of tributes from artists of all genres, including Jason Aldean, Mick Fleetwood, and Carole King.

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