Celebs Who Died In 2025

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.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

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.