Celebrity Deaths In 2025: The Legends We Lost

HOLLYWOOD, CA — In 2023, we lost icons and political powerhouses, music legends, jesters, groundbreaking actors, religious and political figures, and beloved performers.

We lost a few stars that we loved to rock out to, such as Ozzy Osbourne and Brian Wilson, and actors such as Diane Keaton and Robert Redford who will live on forever in our favorite movies and television shows.

Some died young and unexpectedly, and others spent long lives in the public eye. This year, we lost politician Dick Cheney, cult classic director David Lynch and famed wrestler Hulk Hogan.

We lost "The Sundance Kid" and "Tom Kazanksy" of "Top Gun." We lost animal and climate activists like Jane Goodall, who changed our world for the better.

To all the greats who entertained and inspired us, rest in peace.

Diane Keaton, 79.

Prolific and prominent actress Diane Keaton launched herself to stardom in the 1970s for her roles in “The Godfather” films, as well as her collaborations with director Woody Allen. Her accolades include an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award and two Golden Globe Awards. She has been called “one of the great American actresses from the heyday of the 1970s.”

Keaton died of pneumonia on Oct. 11 at 79 in Santa Monica, CA.

Robert Redford, 89.

American actor and director Robert Redford is perhaps best known for his magnetic stage presence in his performance in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” where he was paired for the first time with famed actor Paul Newman.

Beyond acting and directing, Redford was noted for his environmental activism, his support of Native American and Indigenous rights and his advocacy for LGBTQ equality.

Robert Redford died Sept. 16 at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Sundance, UT.

David Lynch, 78.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influence filmmakers in the history of cinema, David Lynch was known for his films characterized by idyllic scenes with surrealist sensibilities.

The prolific filmmaker, painter, visual artist, musician and actor first rose to fame after making his first feature in 1977, “Eraserhead.”

Lynch films include “Mulholland Drive,” “Blue Velvet,” “Wild at Heart” and “The Elephant Man.”

He passed away following a diagnosis of emphysema on Jan. 15 in Los Angeles. He was 78.

Val Kilmer

Known for his impactful roles in “Top Gun,” “Tombstone” and much more, Val Kilmer found fame as a leading man in films in a wide variety of dramas, including comedies, dramas, action adventures, westerns and more.

He made his final film appearance in 2022 for “Top Gun: Maverick,” when he reprised his role in the original film. He died on April 1 at 65 years old of pneumonia after several years battling with throat cancer.

Michelle Trachtenberg, 39.

American actress Michelle Trachtenberg started her career in commercials at the age of three. She starred in several Nickelodeon productions, and found success on the supernatural drama series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” where she played Buffy’s younger sister.

She rose to further prominence in the early 2000s in the film “Eurotrip” and her role in the CW drama series “Gossip Girl.”

Trachtenberg died on Feb. 26 in Manhattan, NY. She was 39.

Ozzy Osbourne

John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, dubbed the “Prince of Darkness,” is widely credited as a pioneer of heavy metal music as a co-founder of Black Sabbath in 1968. Since then, he sold more than 100 million albums, including his solo work and Black Sabbath releases.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006, and as a solo artist in 2024.

Osbourne died July 22 in Jordans, United Kingdom. He was 76.

Charlie Kirk, 31.

American right-wing political activist, entrepreneur and media personality Charlie Kirk co-founded the conservative student organization Turning Point USA.

On Sept. 10, Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a TPUSA debate event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.

Dick Cheney

Former Vice President Dick Cheney was an American politician and businessman. His tenure is often called the most powerful vice presidency in American history.

He died on Nov. 3 in Northern Virginia. He was 84.

Roberta Flack, 88.

Known for her genre-blending ballads that spanned R&B, jazz, folk and pop, Roberta Flack rose to fame in the 70s with Grammy-winning hits such as “Where is the Love” and “The Closer I Get To You.”

As a solo artist, Flack scored her second No. 1 hit in 1973, “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”

Flack died on Feb. 24 in Manhattan, New York. She was 88.

Gene Hackman, 95.

Often considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, Gene Hackman’s mainstream acting career spanned over four decades.

He made his film debut in the drama “Lilith,” released in 1964, and later won two Academy Awards — first for Best Actor for his role as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in William Friedkin’s action thriller “The French Connection,” and his second for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Clint Eastwood’s Western, “Unforgiven.”

Hackman died on Feb. 18 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 95.

Pope Francis, 88.

Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and Latin American pope, was known throughout his papacy for his humility, emphasis on God’s mercy, international visibility, commitment to inter-religious dialogue, and concern for the poor, migrants and refugees. He also made women and laymen full members of dicasteries in the Roman Curia, and believed the Catholic Church should demonstrate more inclusivity to people with same-sexual attraction.

He was a known critic of trickle-down economics, consumerism and overdevelopment, and made action on climate change a leading focus of his papacy.

He died on April 21 in Saint Martha House in Vatican City. He was 88.

Brian Wilson

American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer Brian Wilson is perhaps best known for co-founding California surf rock band the Beach Boys. He has received widespread recognition as one of the most innovative and significant music figures of the 60s and 70s.

His work with the Beach Boys, as well as his solo work, was distinguished for its high production values, complex harmonies and orchestrations, vocal layering and his versatile falsetto.

Wilson died on June 11 in Beverly Hills of respiratory failure.

Anne Burrell, 55.

Anne Burrell was a Food Network star and celebrity chef known for her boisterous personality and enthusiasm, hosting shows such as “Worst Cooks in America” and “Vegas Chef Prize Fight.”

Burrell was a professional chef who cooked at notable restaurants in New York City and Italy, with her specialty being rustic Italian cuisine.

Burrell died on June 17 in Brooklyn, New York. She was 55.

Hulk Hogan, 71.

Terry Gene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, was an American professional wrestler and media personality. He is widely regarded as one of the most recognized wrestling stars of all time, winning multiple championships worldwide and being a six-time WWF Champion.

Bollea died on July 24 in Clearwater, Florida. He was 71.

Jane Goodall

Dame Valerie Jane Morris Goodall was an English primatologist, anthropologist and conservationist who became famous for her work studying chimpanzees in Tanzania.

Her groundbreaking work attracted many women to the field of primatology.

Goodall died Oct. 1 in Los Angeles. She was 91.

Rob Reiner

American actor, director, producer and activist Rob Reiner first became a household name for his role in the ‘70s sitcom “All in the Family.” His films span comedy, drama, romance and documentary, ranging from “Stand By Me” to “Misery” to “The Princess Bride.”

Reiner and his wife, Michele, were killed on Dec. 14 after a dispute with the couple’s son, Nick. He was 78.