We’re looking back at the notable public figures we’ve lost so far in 2025, from Hollywood icons to other influential stars.
The loss of a public figure can send shockwaves around the world. From Hollywood icons to notable public figures, grieving the loss of an idol is never easy — whether it be a rock star, an actor, a politician or a reality TV star.
2025 began on a difficult note. Toward the end of 2024, the world lost several notable figures, including former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 just two days before the new year. Additionally, Linda Lavin, Jocelyn Wildenstein, Jeff Baena, The Vivienne, and Peter Yarrow also died shortly before the start of 2025.
To see which stars we’ve lost this year, click through the gallery below.
1 of 68
Jocelyn Wildenstein
Craig Barritt/Getty Images for FENDI
Jocelyn Wildenstein died on December 31, 2024. According to The Times, she passed away from a pulmonary embolism, while her longtime partner, Lloyd Klein, stated that she died following her battle with phlebitis.
January 2, 2025, 12:15PM 2 of 68
Wayne Osmond
Getty Images
Wayne Osmond of The Osmonds band died on January 1, 2025, his brother Merrill Osmond revealed.
January 3, 2025, 8:36AM 3 of 68
Brenton Wood
Getty Images
Soul singer Brenton Wood died at the age of 83, his manager confirmed on January 3.
January 4, 2025, 7:41AM 4 of 68
Jeff Baena
WireImage
Aubrey Plaza‘s husband, screenwriter and filmmaker Jeff Baena, died at the age of 47, multiple outlets reported on January 4. He was 47.
January 4, 2025, 10:30AM 5 of 68
The Vivienne
John Lamparski/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust
Drag queen The Vivienne passed away in January 2025, and the cause of death has not been determined.
January 7, 2025, 1:46PM
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6 of 68
Peter Yarrow
Howard Ruffner/Getty Images
Peter Yarrow, of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, passed away on January 7, 2025, after battling bladder cancer.
January 8, 2025, 1:39PM 7 of 68
Rory Sykes
Twitter: @shelleysykes
Former Australian child star Rory Sykes (pictured right) tragically died in the 2025 Southern California wildfires, his mother, Shelley Sykes (pictured left), confirmed. He was 32 years old.
January 12, 2025, 11:39AM 8 of 68
Leslie Charleson
WireImage
Leslie Charleson, famous for her role as Monica in General Hospital, died at the age of 79 on January 12.
January 13, 2025, 9:08AM 9 of 68
Paul Danan
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Actor Paul Danan, known for his role in Hollyoaks, passed away in January 2025 at the age of 46, reportedly just hours before he was due in court for drug-related allegations.
January 16, 2025, 2:17PM 10 of 68
Bob Uecker
Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images
Baseball commentator and former catcher Bob Uecker passed away on January 16, 2025, at the age of 90. His family released a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, revealing that he had been privately battling “small cell lung cancer since early 2023.”
January 16, 2025, 2:18PM 11 of 68
David Lynch
Steve Granitz/WireImage
Filmmaker David Lynch passed away at the age of 78, his family announced on January 16, 2025. While his cause of death was not revealed, it was known that he had been battling emphysema.
January 16, 2025, 2:18PM 12 of 68
Joan Plowright
Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
Theatre star Joan Plowright passed away at the age of 95 in England on January 16, 2025. Her cause of death has not been disclosed.
January 17, 2025, 9:56AM 13 of 68
Cecile Richards
Steven Ferdman/Getty Images
Cecile Richards passed away at the age of 67 on January 20, 2025. The former president of Planned Parenthood’s cause of death has not been disclosed, but in June 2024, she revealed in an interview with CNN that she was battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
January 21, 2025, 3:59PM 14 of 68
Francisco San Martin
David Livingston/Getty Images
Francisco San Martin has passed away at the age of 39. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, the actor died by suicide on January 16, 2025. They referred to his death as “ligature hanging.”
January 21, 2025, 4:01PM 15 of 68
Garth Hudson
WireImage
Garth Hudson, the keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist who was the last surviving member of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Band, has passed away at the age of 87. His manager confirmed the news, stating that Hudson died peacefully in his sleep on January 21 at a nursing home near Woodstock, New York.
January 22, 2025, 9:15AM 16 of 68
Lynn Ban
Getty Images
Lynn Ban passed away on January 20, 2025, at the age of 52. The reality star’s death followed complications from surgery related to a near-fatal brain bleed she suffered in a ski accident in December 2024.
January 22, 2025, 3:36PM 17 of 68
DJ Unk
Getty Images
DJ Unk, whose real name was Anthony Leonard Platt, passed away, his wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, confirmed on social media on January 24, 2025. He was 43. A cause of death has not been revealed at this time.
January 25, 2025, 11:41AM 18 of 68
Evgenia Shishkova & Vadim Naumov
AFP via Getty Images
Figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov tragically died on January 29, 2025, while onboard the American Airlines flight that collided with an Army helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.
January 30, 2025, 3:54PM 19 of 68
Marianne Faithfull
Bettmann Archive
British singer-songwriter Marianne Faithfull passed away on January 30 in London. She was 78.
No cause of death had been revealed at the time.
January 31, 2025, 10:44AM 20 of 68
Barbie Hsu
Visual China Group via Getty Images
Barbie Hsu, famous for her role in the Meteor Garden movies, died at the age of 48 in January.
February 3, 2025, 5:03PM 21 of 68
David ‘Ace’ Cannon
David Cannon, known as Ace from the radio show “The Ace & TJ Show,” has died at 56. His cause of death has not been revealed.
February 5, 2025, 5:11PM 22 of 68
Irv Gotti
Getty Images
Irv Gotti passed away on February 5, 2025, at the age of 54. While his cause of death has not been revealed, The Hollywood Reporter noted that he had previously suffered several strokes and faced health issues related to diabetes.
February 6, 2025, 4:07PM 23 of 68
Kim Sae-ron
Getty Images
Kim Sae-ron, a popular South Korean actress, was found dead in Seoul in February 2025. She was 24. The cause of death remains undetermined, but authorities have reported no signs of foul play.
February 16, 2025, 3:20PM 24 of 68
Paquita la Del Barrio
Getty Images
Paquita la Del Barrio, whose real name was Francisca Viveros Barradas, passed away on February 17, 2025, at the age of 77. The famous Mexican songstress was beloved for her iconic hits like “Rata de dos patas” and “Azul celeste.” Her stage name, Paquita la del Barrio, translates to “Paquita from the Neighborhood” in English.
As of now, an official cause of death has not been confirmed by authorities.
February 17, 2025, 3:08PM 25 of 68
Roberta Flack
Getty Images
Roberta Flack, the iconic vocalist best known for her hit “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” passed away on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. She died at home surrounded by her family, as confirmed by her publicist, Elaine Schock.
Her passing followed several years of health challenges, including a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which was publicly revealed in late 2022.
February 24, 2025, 12:47PM 26 of 68
Michelle Trachtenberg
Getty Images
Michelle Trachtenberg, famous for her roles in Ice Princess, 17 Again, Gossip Girl and more, was found dead at the age of 39 on February 26 at an apartment in New York City, according to The New York Post, which also reported that her death was not being investigated as anything suspicious.
February 26, 2025, 12:52PM 27 of 68
Gene Hackman
Getty Images
Actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead alongside their dog in their New Mexico home on February 26, according to local law enforcement. Hackman was 95 years old, and his wife was 63.
The cause of death has not yet been confirmed, though no foul play is suspected in their passing.
February 27, 2025, 9:12AM 28 of 68
Angie Stone
Getty Images
Angie Stone died at the age of 63 in a car accident in Alabama. News of her death broke on March 1.
March 1, 2025, 3:07PM 29 of 68
Hazel Dukes
Newsday via Getty Images
Dr. Hazel Dukes, an iconic civil rights leader, passed away at her home in Harlem on March 1, 2025. She was 92. Her death was announced by her son, Ronald, who stated that she “departed this life peacefully” while surrounded by family.
Dukes was elected national president of the NAACP in 1989, where she served until 1992.
March 2, 2025, 1:24PM 30 of 68
David Johansen
Deadline via Getty Images
David Johansen, the lead singer of the New York Dolls, passed away on February 28, 2025, at his home in New York, confirmed by his daughter, Leah Hennessey. He was 75.
On February 10, Hennessey revealed that Johansen had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and had a brain tumor.
March 2, 2025, 1:24PM 31 of 68
Carl Thomas Dean
Dolly Parton/ Instagram
Dolly Parton‘s husband, Carl Thomas Dean, passed away at the age of 82 on March 3, 2025. While his cause of death has not been revealed, the country icon shared on Instagram, “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.”
March 4, 2025, 3:21PM 32 of 68
Pamela Bach
Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
Pamela Bach has died at the age of 62. According to TMZ, the ‘Baywatch’ actress reportedly passed away from suicide.
March 6, 2025, 2:58PM 33 of 68
Roy Ayers
Roy Ayers/ Instagram
Roy Ayers has died at the age of 84. According to a statement his family shared with Variety, the music producer passed away after battling a long illness.
March 6, 2025, 3:24PM 34 of 68
D’Wayne Wiggins
Getty Images
D’Wayne Wiggins passed away at the age of 64 on March 7, 2025. His family shared in a statement on Instagram that he had been battling bladder cancer.
March 7, 2025, 5:29PM 35 of 68
Prince Frederik
Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg/Instagram
Prince Frederik of Luxembourg, the youngest son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau, has passed away at the age of 22.
He died on March 1 from the rare genetic condition POLG Mitochondrial disease. His father shared the heartbreaking news in a message posted on the website of the POLG Foundation, an organization Frederik had founded to help find treatments and a cure for the illness.
March 9, 2025, 4:28PM 36 of 68
Alysha Burney
Charles Burney
Social media star Alysha Burney passed away at the age of 25 while on a birthday trip to Mexico. Initial reports speculated that her death was drug-related, but her brother, Charles Burney, refuted those claims in a statement to Fox4.
“She does not do drugs,” Charles said, per Fox4. “She was a self-loving and happy individual who cherished her life and was looking forward to the upcoming year’s plans. She was in Mexico to celebrate her birthday. She was a very classy young woman. There’s a spread of misinformation online, stating different things based on speculation. These sources lack credibility and should not be believed. My sister did not engage in environments that would lead to such situations.”
According to Charles Burney, Alysha passed away due to an asthma attack.
March 11, 2025, 9:53AM 37 of 68
Junior Bridgeman
Getty Images for EBONY MEDIA GRO
Junior Bridgeman, a former NBA player who played from 1975 to 1987, passed away on March 11 at the age of 71 after suffering a heart attack during an event in Louisville, Kentucky, according to multiple reports.
March 12, 2025, 12:52PM 38 of 68
Wheesung
WireImage
South Korean singer Wheesung, born Choi Whee-sung, has tragically passed away at the age of 43.
He was found in cardiac arrest at his home in Seoul on March 11, according to reports from The New York Times. Authorities believe that Wheesung had been deceased for some time before being discovered. At this time, the cause of death has not been disclosed.
March 12, 2025, 12:52PM 39 of 68
Simon Fisher Becker
Bobby Bank/WireImage
Simon Fisher-Becker, who appeared in ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,’ has passed away at the age of 63. His cause of death has not been confirmed.
March 12, 2025, 3:53PM 40 of 68
P2istheName
P2istheName/Instagram
YouTuber P2istheName, whose real name was Philip Enewally, passed away at the age of 26. According to a report from TMZ, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner records indicate that he was found dead on March 14 in a mailroom in Los Angeles County. His cause of death has not yet been determined.
March 16, 2025, 5:26PM 41 of 68
Caroline D’Andrea
Caroline D'Andrea/ Instagram
Caroline D’Andrea died on March 11 from heart failure at her home in Santa Monica, California, according to her daughter, who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter. The ‘West Side Story’ actress was 87 years old.
March 19, 2025, 2:02PM 42 of 68
Jesse Colin Young
Getty Images for The Recording A
Jesse Colin Young, renowned for his contributions to music, passed away on March 16 at his home in Aiken, South Carolina. He was 83 years old. The news of his death was confirmed by his publicist, Michael Jensen, although the cause of death has not been specified.
March 26, 2025, 5:53PM 43 of 68
Jack Lilley
Getty Images
Little House on the Prairie alum Jack Lilley died at the age of 91 in March.
March 21, 2025, 3:55PM 44 of 68
Larry Tamblyn
WireImage
Larry Tamblyn, a founding member of the band The Standells, has passed away at the age of 82. His nephew, Dennis Tamblyn, confirmed that Larry died on Friday, March 21, 2025. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
March 26, 2025, 5:53PM 45 of 68
George Foreman
Variety via Getty Images
Heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman has passed away on March 21, 2025, as announced by his family. He was 76. The family’s statement did not mention the cause of death or where he passed away.
March 21, 2025, 10:48PM 46 of 68
Mia Love
Getty Images
Mia Love, the first Black Republican congresswoman, died at the age of 49 on March 23, 2025, from brain cancer.
March 24, 2025, 5:02PM 47 of 68
Joshua Blackledge
Noe Brooks Obituary
Popular TikTok star Joshua Blackledge tragically passed away at home on March 18, 2025, at the age of 16. According to an obituary shared by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home of Morehead City, North Carolina, the cause of death has not been disclosed.
March 26, 2025, 5:42PM 48 of 68
Cindyana Santangelo
Getty Images
Cindyana Santangelo passed away in March 2025. She was pronounced dead at a hospital after an emergency medical call on March 24, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The cause of her death is still under investigation, and an autopsy is pending.
March 26, 2025, 9:16PM 49 of 68
Young Scooter
Getty
Young Scooter, born Kenneth Edward Bailey, died on Friday, March 28, following a police chase in Atlanta, authorities confirmed. He passed away on the same day he turned 39.
On April 1, the Fulton County Medical Examiner released the rapper’s cause of death, confirming he died from a “penetrating injury of the right thigh” and ruling the death an accident.
April 4, 2025, 6:33PM 50 of 68
Richard Chamberlain
Getty Images
Actor Richard Chamberlain died at the age of 90 on March 29, just two days away from his 91st birthday.
March 30, 2025, 11:21AM 51 of 68
Val Kilmer
Getty Images
Val Kilmer, known for his roles in ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman Forever,’ died at 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, revealed his passing to outlets, noting that he died of pneumonia after previously overcoming throat cancer.
April 2, 2025, 11:30AM 52 of 68
Michael Hurley
Redferns via Getty Images
Michael Hurley’s death was confirmed by his publicist on April 4. He was 83. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
“It is with a resounding sadness that the Hurley family announces the recent sudden passing of the inimitable Michael Hurley,” the statement said. “The ‘Godfather of freak folk’ was for a prolific half-century the purveyor of an eccentric genius and compassionate wit. He alone was Snock. There is no other.”
April 4, 2025, 7:01PM 53 of 68
Jay North
Getty Images
Jay North, who starred in the CBS comedy ‘Dennis the Menace,’ died on April 6, 2025, at the age of 73, following a long battle with colon cancer.
April 6, 2025, 8:45PM 54 of 68
Clem Burke
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
Clem Burke, the longtime drummer for the band Blondie, has died at the age of 70, a representative for the band confirmed. He passed away following a private battle with cancer, which was only disclosed after his death. The specific type of cancer has not been revealed.
April 7, 2025, 12:23PM 55 of 68
Octavio Dotel
MLB via Getty Images
Octavio Dotel, a former MLB player, died at the age of 51 as a result of the Dominican Republic’s Jet Set nightclub roof collapse.
April 9, 2025, 5:15PM 56 of 68
Tony Blanco
Getty Images
Tony Blanco, a former MLB player, passed away at 43 due to the roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic.
April 9, 2025, 5:15PM 57 of 68
Nelsy Cruz
Nelsy Cruz/ Instagram
Nelsy Cruz, Governor of Montecristi province and sister of MLB player Nelson Cruz, passed away on April 8 due to the roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic.
April 9, 2025, 5:15PM 58 of 68
Ray Shero
Getty Images
Ray Shero, NHL executive, has died at the age of 62. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed, though Pittsburgh Hockey Now reports he was allegedly undergoing treatment for cancer.
April 9, 2025, 5:34PM 59 of 68
Kyren Lacy
Getty Images
Kyren Lacy, a former wide receiver for Louisiana State University (LSU), has died at the age of 24. He was found dead on April 12, in Houston, Texas, according to ESPN, citing an LSU official.
April 13, 2025, 2:53PM 60 of 68
Nicky Katt
WireImage
Nicky Katt, best known for his roles in ‘90s indie films like ‘Dazed and Confused,’ has died at the age of 54. His death was confirmed by John Sloss, founder and partner of Sloss Law, which had represented the actor. No cause of death was disclosed.
April 13, 2025, 2:53PM 61 of 68
Mario Vargas Llosa
Cover/Getty Images
Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel Prize-winning Peruvian author and towering figure in Latin American literature, died on April 13 in Lima. He was 89.
April 14, 2025, 4:54PM 62 of 68
Jean Marsh
Getty Images
Jean Marsh, the British actress and Emmy-winning co-creator of Upstairs, Downstairs, died on April 13 at her home in London. She was 90. The cause was complications from dementia, according to filmmaker Michael Lindsay-Hogg, a close friend.
April 14, 2025, 4:54PM 63 of 68
Nora Aunor
Getty Images
Nora Aunor, the acclaimed Filipino actress and singer, passed away on April 16, 2025, at the age of 71. Her death was confirmed by her children on social media; however, no details regarding the cause was immediately provided.
April 16, 2025, 4:42PM 64 of 68
Elaine Wynn
FilmMagic
Billionaire Elaine Wynn, the co-founder of Mirage Resorts and Wynn Resorts, passed away on April 14, 2025, at the age of 82. Her death was announced by the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, with the cause not immediately disclosed.
April 16, 2025, 4:42PM 65 of 68
Wink Martindale
Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Wink Martindale, the legendary American game show host and radio personality, passed away on April 15, 2025, at the age of 91. He died at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, California, after battling lymphoma for a year.
April 16, 2025, 4:42PM 66 of 68
Joe Thompson
Getty Images
U.K. soccer player Joe Thompson died at the age of 36 on April 17, 2025, after battling lymphoma.
April 18, 2025, 3:53PM 67 of 68
Jay Sigel
WireImage
Jay Sigel, widely considered one of the greatest American amateur golfers, has died at the age of 81, the U.S. Golf Association revealed. He passed away on April 19 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
April 21, 2025, 2:55PM 68 of 68
Pope Francis
Getty Images
Pope Francis, the beloved leader of the Catholic Church, died on April 21 at the age of 88, the Vatican announced.
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