In Memoriam 2025: Honoring Icons in Entertainers Music, and Sports Who Died in 2025

In 2025, the worlds of cinema, music, sports, and activism bid farewell to several icons whose influence spanned generations. Here is a chronological look back at the notable figures we lost this year.

January

• Rosita Missoni (January 1): The co-founder of the Missoni fashion house, known for her vibrant, zigzag patterns that defined Italian luxury, died at 93.

• Wayne Osmond (January 2): A founding member of The Osmonds, the singer and guitarist died at the age of 73.

• Jeff Baena (January 3): The writer and director behind Life After Beth died at 47.

• The Vivienne (James Lee Williams) (January 5): The first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK died at the age of 32.

• Peter Yarrow (January 7): The legendary folk singer of Peter, Paul and Mary, whose voice championed civil rights, died at 86.

• Sam Moore (January 10): One half of the powerhouse soul duo Sam & Dave, the “Soul Man” singer died at 89.

• Leslie Charleson (January 12): A staple of daytime television, the General Hospital actress died at 79.

• Oliviero Toscani (January 13): The provocative photographer behind Benetton’s “shock” ad campaigns died at 82.

• David Lynch (January 16): The surrealist visionary behind Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive died at 78.

• Bob Uecker (January 16): The legendary Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster known as “Mr. Baseball” died at 90.

• Joan Plowright (January 16): The award-winning British stage and screen actress died at 95.

• Garth Hudson (January 21): The multi-instrumentalist and last surviving member of The Band died at 87.

• Marianne Faithfull (January 30): The 1960s icon and “As Tears Go By” singer died at 78.

• Dick Button (January 30): The two-time Olympic gold medalist who revolutionized figure skating died at 95.

February

• Irv Gotti (February 5): The founder of Murder Inc. Records and a central figure in hip-hop history died at 54.

• Howard Twilley (February 5): A key receiver for the 1972 “perfect” Miami Dolphins died at 81.

• Tony Roberts (February 7): The Tony-nominated actor and frequent Woody Allen collaborator died at 85.

• John Cooney (February 8): The Irish boxer died at 28 following injuries sustained in the ring.

• Paquita la del Barrio (February 17): The beloved Mexican singer known for her feminist anthems died at 77.

• Roberta Flack (February 24): The Grammy-winning voice behind “Killing Me Softly With His Song” died at 88.

• Gene Hackman (February 26): The two-time Oscar winner and legendary star of The French Connection died at 95.

• Michelle Trachtenberg (February 26): The Gossip Girl and Harriet the Spy actress died at 39.

• David Johansen (February 28): The New York Dolls frontman and “Buster Poindexter” creator died at 75.

March

• Angie Stone (March 1): The neo-soul singer behind “No More Rain” died at 63.

• Roy Ayers (March 4): The “Godfather of Neo-soul” and vibraphone legend died at 84.

• D’Wayne Wiggins (March 7): The Tony! Toni! Toné! guitarist and singer died at 64.

• George Foreman (March 21): The two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist died at 76.

• Richard Chamberlain (March 29): The Golden Globe winner and “King of the Miniseries” died at 90.

April

• Val Kilmer (April 1): The versatile star of Top Gun, Tombstone, and Batman Forever died at 65.

• Pope Francis (April 21): The first Latin American Pope, known for his focus on the poor, died at 88.

• Steve McMichael (April 23): The 1985 Super Bowl champion and beloved Chicago Bear died at 67.

• Jiggly Caliente (April 27): The RuPaul’s Drag Race star and actress died at 44.

May

• Ruth Buzzi (May 1): The Laugh-In comedy legend died at 88.

• Jill Sobule (May 1): The singer-songwriter known for the 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl” died at 66.

• George Wendt (May 20): The actor who became a household name as “Norm” on Cheers died at 76.

• Phil Robertson (May 25): The Duck Dynasty patriarch and outdoorsman died at 79.

• Rick Derringer (May 26): The rock guitarist behind “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” died at 77.

• Loretta Swit (May 30): Famous for her role as “Hot Lips” Houlihan on M.A.S.H., the actress died at 87.

• Valerie Mahaffey (May 30): The Emmy-winning actress of Northern Exposure died at 71.

June

• John Brenkus (June 1): The host and creator of Sports Science died at 54.

• Jonathan Joss (June 1): The actor who voiced John Redcorn on King of the Hill died at 59.

• Sly Stone (June 9): The funk pioneer and leader of Sly and the Family Stone died at 82.

• Harris Yulin (June 10): The veteran character actor from Scarface and Frasier died at 87.

• Brian Wilson (June 11): The Beach Boys mastermind and architect of the “California Sound” died at 82.

• Ananda Lewis (June 11): The former MTV VJ and television host died at 52.

• Anne Burrell (June 17): The Food Network chef and personality died at 55.

• Mick Ralphs (June 23): The founding guitarist of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople died at 81.

• Bobby Sherman (June 24): The 1960s teen idol and pop singer died at 81.

• Bill Moyers (June 26): The journalist and former White House Press Secretary died at 91.

• Dave Parker (June 28): The “Cobra,” a Pittsburgh Pirates legend and MLB All-Star, died at 74.

• D. Wayne Lukas (June 28): The legendary Hall of Fame horse trainer died at 89.

July

• Michael Madsen (July 3): The Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill actor died at 67.

• Julian McMahon (July 4): The star of Nip/Tuck and Fantastic Four died at 56.

• Andrea Gibson (July 14): The celebrated poet and performance artist died at 49.

• Audun Groenvold (July 15): The Norwegian Olympic ski medalist died at 49.

• Connie Francis (July 17): The 1960s pop icon behind “Who’s Sorry Now?” died at 87.

• Malcolm-Jamal Warner (July 21): The actor best known as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show died at 54.

• Ozzy Osbourne (July 22): The “Prince of Darkness” and heavy metal pioneer died at 76.

• Chuck Mangione (July 22): The Grammy-winning jazz flugelhornist died at 84.

• Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) (July 24): The biggest star in professional wrestling history died at 71.

• Tom Lehrer (July 26): The satirical songwriter and mathematician died at 97.

• Ryne Sandberg (July 28): The Hall of Fame Chicago Cubs second baseman died at 65.

• Laura Dahlmeier (July 30): The German Olympic biathlon champion died at 31.

• Flaco Jimenez (July 31): The accordion legend and king of Conjunto music died at 86.

August

• Kelley Mack (August 2): The Walking Dead actress died at the age of 33.

• Loni Anderson (August 3): The WKRP in Cincinnati star died at 79.

• Billy Howton (August 4): The Green Bay Packers great and first NFL union president died at 95.

• Jim Lovell (August 7): The NASA astronaut who commanded the Apollo 13 mission died at 97.

• Eddie Palmieri (August 7): The Latin jazz and rumba innovator died at 88.

• Danielle Spencer (August 11): Known for her role as “Dee” on What’s Happening!!, the actress died at 60.

• Terence Stamp (August 17): The legendary British actor and 1960s icon died at 87.

• Brent Hinds (August 20): The co-founder and guitarist of Mastodon died at 51.

• Jerry Adler (August 23): The veteran stage and screen actor (The Sopranos) died at 96.

• Charles Bierbauer (August 31): The former CNN Washington correspondent died at 83.

September

• Graham Greene (September 1): The Oscar-nominated Indigenous actor (Dances with Wolves) died at 73.

• Joseph McNeil (September 4): A civil rights pioneer of the Greensboro sit-ins died at 83.

• Giorgio Armani (September 4): The Italian fashion titan who revolutionized the red carpet died at 91.

• Rick Davies (September 6): The Supertramp co-founder and singer died at 81.

• Davey Johnson (September 6): The World Series-winning manager and player died at 82.

• Charlie Kirk (September 10): The Turning Point USA co-founder died at 31.

• Peter Greene (September 12): The character actor famous for playing “Zed” in Pulp Fiction died at 60.

• Ricky Hatton (September 14): The former world champion British boxer died at 46.

• Bobby Hart (September 14): The songwriter behind many of The Monkees’ greatest hits died at 86.

• Robert Redford (September 16): The Oscar-winning actor, director, and Sundance founder died at 89.

• Brett James (September 18): The Grammy-winning songwriter of “Jesus, Take the Wheel” died at 57.

• Claudia Cardinale (September 23): The iconic Italian screen siren of the 1960s died at 87.

• Rudi Johnson (September 23): The former NFL and Auburn star running back died at 45.

October

• Jane Goodall (October 1): The world-renowned conservationist and primatologist died at 91.

• Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt (October 9): The beloved Loyola Chicago basketball chaplain died at 106.

• Diane Keaton (October 11): The Oscar-winning Annie Hall and Godfather star died at 79.

• Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (October 13): The Stonewall veteran and transgender rights activist died at 78.

• D’Angelo (October 14): The neo-soul legend behind Brown Sugar and Voodoo died at 51.

• Ace Frehley (October 16): The original lead guitarist for Kiss died at 74.

• Doug Martin (October 18): The former Pro Bowl running back for the Buccaneers died at 36.

• Sam Rivers (October 18): The bassist for nu-metal band Limp Bizkit died at 48.

• June Lockhart (October 23): The TV matriarch of Lassie and Lost in Space died at 100.

• Nick Mangold (October 25): The seven-time Pro Bowl center for the New York Jets died at 41.

November

• Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay (November 2): The Grateful Dead singer and session vocalist died at 78.

• Diane Ladd (November 3): The three-time Oscar nominee and mother of Laura Dern died at 89.

• Marshawn Kneeland (November 6): The Dallas Cowboys defensive end died at 24.

• Lenny Wilkens (November 9): The NBA Hall of Fame player and coach died at 88.

• Alice Wong (November 14): The disability rights activist and author died at 51.

• Jimmy Cliff (November 24): The reggae pioneer and “Many Rivers to Cross” singer died at 81.

• Fuzzy Zoeller (November 27): The two-time major golf champion died at 74.

• Tom Stoppard (November 29): The legendary playwright behind Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead died at 88.

December

• Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (December 4): The actor known for Mortal Kombat and The Man in the High Castle died at 75.

• Rob Reiner (December 14): The director of When Harry Met Sally and star of All in the Family died at 78.

• Anthony Geary (December 14): The General Hospital legend who played Luke Spencer died at 78.

• Gil Gerard (December 16): The star of sci-fi classic Buck Rogers died at 82.

• Peter Arnett (December 17): The Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent died at 91.

• Jim Hunt (December 18): The four-term North Carolina Governor and education reformer died at 88.

• Greg Biffle (December 18): The former NASCAR star died at 55.

• James Ransone (December 19): The actor known for The Wire and It: Chapter Two died at 46.

• Vince Zampella (December 21): The co-creator of Call of Duty and Apex Legends died at 55.

• Betty Reid Soskin (December 21): The oldest active National Park Ranger in US history died at 104.

• Chris Rea (December 22): The singer-songwriter behind “Driving Home for Christmas” died at 74.

• Perry Bamonte (December 26): The longtime guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure died at 65.

• Brigitte Bardot (December 28): The French cinema icon and animal rights activist died at 91.

• Isiah Whitlock Jr. (December 30): The veteran actor of The Wire and Spike Lee films died at 71.

• Tatiana Schlossberg (December 30): The environmental journalist and granddaughter of JFK died at 35.