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Looking Back on All the Devastating Celebrity Deaths From 2025

Gone but not forgotten. ❤️

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d'angelo against 'friends' verzuz dj battle

Sad fact of life: We're born, we live a little while, we die. So while 2025 has been filled with exciting new celebrity babies, we've lost our fair share of beloved celebs as well. Last year, fans had to say goodbye to some Hollywood heavy-hitters, including Liam Payne, Maggie Smith, and Quincy Jones—and this year hasn't been any easier. From legendary director David Lynch to Aubrey Plaza's husband, Jeff Baena, let's take a look back at all the stars we've lost so far in 2025.

October: D’Angelo

d'angelo against 'friends' verzuz dj battle
Shahar Azran//Getty Images

On October 14, R&B and soul legend D'Angelo lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 51. His family later released a statement, writing, in part, “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”

October: Diane Keaton

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Fans were shocked when news of Diane Keaton’s passing broke on October 11. The cause of death was not shared at the time, though it was later revealed the actor died from pneumonia. “The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11,” her family shared in a statement. She was 79.

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October: Jane Goodall

bloomberg philanthropies global forum 2025
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On the morning of October 1, Dr. Jane Goodall died passed away at the age of 91 while on a U.S. speaking tour. “Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world,” read a statement from her institute.

Septmeber: Joshua Allen

83rd annual hollywood christmas parade returns with musical performances by grand marshal stevie wonder and legendary, award winning artists
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TMZ was the first to break the news about Joshua’s death, and it was later revealed that the So You Think You Can Dance season 4 winner was struck and killed by a train.

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September: Robert Redford

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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid star Robert Redford passed away in September at 89. In a statement, a rep for the actor/director confirmed that Robert died in “the place he loved surrounded by those he loved,” which was in his Utah home.

September: Giorgio Armani

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Stephane Cardinale - Corbis//Getty Images

Legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani passed away in September at the age of 91. Per a statement from Armani Group, Giorgio “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.” The press release also stated that the designer “worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects.”

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August: Brandon Blackstock

santa monica, california january 12: brandon blackstock (l) and kelly clarkson attend the 25th annual critics choice awards at barker hangar on january 12, 2020 in santa monica, california. (photo by jeff kravitz/filmmagic)
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, former music manager Brandon Blackstock died in August after a three year battle with cancer. He and Kelly shared two children, River Rose, 11, and Remy Alexander, 8. He is also survived by his two children from a previous relationship, Savannah and Seth Blackstock.

July: Hulk Hogan

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WWE superstar-turned reality star-turned MAGA hype man Hulk Hogan passed away in July at 71. A WWE Hall of Famer, Hulk Hogan—né Terry Gene Bollea—was a controversial figure both in and out of the ring. He is survived by his daughter Brooke Hogan and son Nick Hogan.

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July: Ozzy Osbourne

new york, ny december 11: ozzy osbourne visits the siriusxm studios on december 11, 2014 in new york city. (photo by ilya s. savenok/getty images)
Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

Rocker Ozzy Osbourne died in July, just two weeks after he performed his farewell concert, “Back to the Beginning.” The Black Sabbath frontman and reality TV show pioneer was 76.

July: Malcolm-Jamal Warner

westwood, ca january 27: actor malcolm jamal warner arrives at the premiere of fxs american crime story the people v. o.j. simpson at westwood village theatre on january 27, 2016 in westwood, california. (photo by axelle/bauer griffin/filmmagic)
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

The Cosby Show star, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, died in July after accidentally drowning off the cost of Costa Rica. The actor is survived by his wife and daughter, as well as his mother, who remembered him in a touching Instagram post.

“Malcolm was an exceptional husband, father, and son—a man deeply in love with life, his wife, and his daughter. He was not only my son, but also my teacher, coach, confidant, business partner, and best friend,” she wrote.

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July: Julian McMahon

pasadena, ca january 14: actor julian mcmahon poses for a portrait during the nbcuniversal press day at the langham huntington, pasadena on january 14, 2016 in pasadena, california. (photo by: christopher polk/nbcu photo bank/nbcuniversal via getty images via getty images) nup_172220_2129.jpg
Christopher Polk/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Actor Julian McMahon died in early July at the age of 56, following a battle with cancer. Julian was best known for starring in the hit Nip/Tuck as well as Charmed.

“Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans,” his wife, Kelly McMahon, said in a statement. “His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.” Julian is survived by his daughter, Madison McMahon.

June: Jonathan Joss

parks and recreation 2017 episode 701 pictured: (l r) amy poehler as leslie knope, jonathan joss as ken hotate photo by: (ben cohen/nbcu photo bank/nbcuniversal via getty images via getty images)
Ben Cohen/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Actor Jonathan Joss died in June after being shot by a neighbor in San Antonio in what his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, believed was a hate crime.

Jonathan's death shocked fans, who knew him as the voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill and Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation. “Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate,” Nick Offerman said in a statement to People. “A terrible tragedy.”

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May: Valerie Mahaffey

los angeles, ca september 08: actress valerie mahaffey attends the screening of warner bros. pictures sully at directors guild of america on september 8, 2016 in los angeles, california. (photo by emma mcintyre/getty images)
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

If you watched television in the last twenty years, odds are you've seen Valerie Mahaffey's work. The actor starred in Northern Exposure, Desperate Housewives, and Young Sheldon, to name a few. She passed away following a battle with cancer in May. She was 71.

May: George Wendt

cheers pictured: george wendt as norm peterson (photo by nbcu photo bank/nbcuniversal via getty images via getty images)
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Cheers fans said goodbye to actor George Wendt in May. The actor, best known for playing Norm in the iconic sitcom, was 76. “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” his family said in a statement.

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April: Jiggly Caliente

los angeles, california may 14: jiggly caliente attends rupauls dragcon at los angeles convention center on may 14, 2022 in los angeles, california. (photo by santiago felipe/filmmagic)
Santiago Felipe/FilmMagic

Drag queen and RuPaul's Drag Race fan-favorite Jiggly Caliente died on April 27 after battling “a severe infection” that required a leg amputation, per a statement posted on her Instagram. In the statement, her family called the artist, also known as Bianca Castro, as “a luminous presence,” noting, “The joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain for ever.”

April: Val Kilmer

san francisco, ca april 20: actor val kilmer attends the fourth dimension world premiere during the 2012 san francisco film festival at sundance kabuki cinema on april 20, 2012 in san francisco, california. (photo by c flanigan/wireimage)
C Flanigan/WireImage

Actor Val Kilmer, known for his work in Top Gun and Batman Forever died of pneumonia on April 1. The actor had taken a bit of a step back from the industry in recent years, ever since he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015. He was 65 years old.

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March: Angie Stone

angie stone attends the 6th annual urban one honors: best in black presented by tv one at coca cola roxy on january 20, 2024 in atlanta, georgia. (photo by derek white/getty images for tv one)
Derek White/Getty Images for TV One

R&B singer Angie Stone died in early March, per a report by the AP, after the car she was riding in reportedly flipped over and was hit by a big rig. Angie was a Grammy-nominated singer and is survived by her children, Diamond and Michael Archer.

February: Carl Dean

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Dolly Parton//Instagram

Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, passed away and will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with his immediate family attending. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” the pop culture icon wrote in a statement on Instagram.

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February: Michelle Trachtenberg

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Michelle Trachtenberg passed away on February 26 after complications from a recent liver transplant, per her rep.

“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” they said, per ABC. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

The actor was known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, and Ice Princess.

February: Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa

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Donaldson Collection//Getty Images

According to the Associated Press, Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead in their Santa Fe home when deputies went to check on their welfare on February 26. Their official cause of death is still being investigated.

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