Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton, Jane Goodall, Robert Redford: Notable celebrity deaths in 2025
As we approach the end of the year, it's time to reflect and say goodbye to many celebrities who died in 2025.
From religious leaders to professional athletes and beloved musicians, actors and directors, below is a list of some of the most notable celebrity deaths of the year.
Rob Reiner
Rob Reiner was found dead in his home in Brentwood, California, on Dec. 14, 2025, alongside his wife Michele Singer.(Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Iconic director Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, photographer Michelle Singer Reiner, 70, died on Dec. 14. Their son, Nick, was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder after their deaths.
Reiner first began his career in Hollywood as an actor, earning two Emmy awards for his role in "All in the Family." Reiner transitioned to direct movies in the '80s, directing iconic films such as "Stand By Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally" and "This Is Spinal Tap."
Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton died on Oct. 11, 2025, at age 79.(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
Academy Award-winning actor Diane Keaton died on Oct. 11 at the age of 79. Keaton enjoyed a successful five-decade career in Hollywood, starring in iconic films such as "The Godfather" trilogy, "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" and "Father of the Bride."
Keaton won the Oscar for Best Actress in 1977 for her performance in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall."
Jane Goodall
Primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall delivers the 50th George Gamow Memorial Lecture at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo., Oct. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
Conservation legend Jane Goodall died in her sleep on Oct. 1 due to natural causes. She was 91.
Known as "the world's preeminent chimpanzee expert," Goodall spent most of her career studying wild chimpanzees. She spent six decades conducting field research with the Kasakela chimpanzee community in Tanzania. Her work demonstrated similarities between humans and chimpanzees, such as the use of tools, complex emotions and forming social bonds.
Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk speaks during a town hall meeting on March 17, 2025, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.AP
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10, while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
Kirk was the founder and CEO of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA. At the time of his death, Kirk was a prominent right-wing figure and ally of President Donald Trump.
"No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!" the president said at the time of Kirk's death.
Robert Redford
Robert Redford died Sept. 16, 2025, at his home, according to his publicist. Here he is seen attending the premiere of "The Old Man and the Gun" at the Paris Theater on Sept. 20, 2018, in New York.Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Academy Award-winning actor and director Robert Redford died on Sept. 16 at the age of 89.
Rising to prominence in the '60s after starring in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," Redford was one of the biggest stars of the '70s with films such as "The Candidate," "All the President's Men" and "The Way We Were." He won an Oscar for Best Director for his work on "Ordinary People," which also won Best Picture.
Sally Kirkland
Sally Kirkland appears at the Los Angeles premiere of "Blue Jasmine" on July 24, 2013.(Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
Actor Sally Kirkland died on Oct. 31 shortly after she entered hospice amid an ongoing battle with dementia and other health issues. She was 84.
Kirkland started her career in the 1960s but was best known for the 1987 comedy-drama "Anna." Her role in the movie earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in addition to a Golden Globe also for Best Actress.
She was also known for performances in "The Sting," "Private Benjamin," "EDtv," "Bruce Almighty," "The Haunted," "Best of The Best," "Revenge," "Coffee Date," "Roseanne," "JFK," "A Brave New World," "80 for Brady" and the 2024 indie film "Sallywood."
Pope Francis
Pope Francis waves as he arrives to attend the unveiling of a new electric popemobile, at the Vatican on Dec. 4, 2024.AFP via Getty Images
The death of Jorge Mario Bergoglio , 88, known to millions around the world as Pope Francis, caught many off guard earlier this year.
Pope Francis died on April 21 due to complications after suffering a stroke, according to The Associated Press. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey remembered Francis' life as a "commitment to our sacred responsibility to care for others, especially the most vulnerable among us."
Roberta Flack
Singer Roberta Flack poses for a portrait in New York on Oct. 10, 2018. The R&B great died on Feb. 24, 2025, at age 88.(Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP, File)
Roberta Flack, the Grammy award-winning singer behind hit singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly with His Song," died on Feb. 24 at the age of 88. Flack received two Grammy awards for Record of the Year for the pair of songs, becoming the first artist to win the award in consecutive years.
She died at home surrounded by her family, publicist Elaine Schock said in a statement. Flack announced in 2022 she had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and could no longer sing.
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne performs during the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony at the Alexander stadium in Birmingham, England, on Aug. 8, 2022.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
The "Prince of Darkness" died at 76 on July 22, just weeks after his farewell performance . Osbourne was known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
Osbourne died at home surrounded by his loved ones, according to a statement released on his social media platforms. Although his cause of death has not been confirmed, Osbourne had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2003.
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan fires up the crowd between matches at WrestleMania 21 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 3, 2005. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
Hulk Hogan, a six-time WWF champion, died on July 24 at age 71. Hogan was considered one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time, having been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, once individually and a second time as a member of the wrestling group New World Order.
Despite his worldwide fame, Hogan's career was marked by controversy after videos of Hogan saying racial slurs surfaced , which resulted in the termination of his WWE contract in 2015.
Hogan was also a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump at the end of his life. Trump remembered Hogan in a post on TruthSocial as "MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart."
Anne Burrell
Anne Burrell attends the City Harvest 40th Anniversary Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on April 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Renowned celebrity chef Anne Burrell died suddenly on June 17 at age 55. Burrell was known for her work with the Food Network, she first appeared in the network's "Iron Chef America" in 2005. She later hosted "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" and "Worst Cooks in America" on the network.
Burrell's death was ruled a suicide after the chef was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home.
"Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent — teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring," the Food Network wrote in an Instagram post .
David Lynch
David Lynch appears at the Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Oct. 27, 2019.Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File
Academy award-nominated director David Lynch, died on Jan. 16 at 78 after he was diagnosed with emphysema in 2024.
He directed films such as "Mulholland Dr.," "Eraserhead" and "Dune (1984), and was the creator of the acclaimed mystery series "Twin Peaks."
"I will miss my dear friend. He has made my world — all of our worlds — both wonderful and strange," wrote longtime collaborator Kyle MacLachlan, star of "Dune" and "Twin Peaks," in an essay published by the New York Times.
Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer poses for a portrait, Jan. 9, 2014, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Known for donning the mantle of the caped crusader in "Batman Forever" and his iconic performance as Iceman in "Top Gun," Val Kilmer died of pneumonia at 65 on April 1.
Kilmer had previously been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and struggled with other health issues leading up to his death. Kilmer died surrounded by friends and family, according to The Associated Press.
"I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed," Kilmer reflected on his life and career in the 2021 documentary "Val."
Loretta Swit
Actor Loretta Swit attends the Wedding of Sid Bass and Mercedes Kellogg on Dec. 10, 1988, at Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Emmy award-winning "M*A*S*H" actor Loretta Swit died on May 30 at the age of 87. Swit appeared in 240 of 251 episodes of the hit series from 1972 to 1983. She was nominated for an Emmy 10 times and for four Golden Globes, according to her IMDb page .
Swit was also a prominent animal rights activist, having been named Woman of the Year by both the Animal Protection Institute and the International Fund For Animal Welfare.
Giorgio Armani
Designer Giorgio Armani, center, died in fall 2025 at age 81. His death was announced on Sept. 4 by his company.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
Billionaire Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, the mind behind one of the world's most iconic brands, died on Sept. 4 at the age of 91.
Armani formed his self-titled fashion company in 1975, which eventually expanded into music, sports and luxury hotels. Armani was considered the most successful designer of Italian origin and is credited with pioneering red-carpet fashion.
Brian Wilson
American singer-songwriter and Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson has died. (Photo by Paul Bergen/Redferns)
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, perhaps one of the most influential musicians of his generation, died on June 11 at the age of 82.
Wilson is most well known for co-founding the Beach Boys with his brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love and friend Alan Jardine. The group, originally known as the Pendletones, defined the "California sound" that dominated the music industry during the '60s, with Wilson playing the role of the band's principal songwriter.
Outside the Beach Boys, Wilson wrote hit songs for other artists (including Jan and Dean's 1963 single "Surf City") and enjoyed a successful solo career, releasing 12 solo albums.
George Foreman
In this April 20, 1991, file photo, heavyweight challenger George Foreman, center, is tended by veteran trainer Angelo Dundee, left, and former light-heavyweight champion Archie Moore during a title fight against Evander Holyfield in Atlantic City. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)
George Foreman, a successful businessman and fearsome heavyweight boxer, died on March 21 at age 76.
Foreman lost the "Rumble in the Jungle" to Muhammad Ali on Oct. 30, 1974, before becoming a two-time champion at 45.
Outside of boxing, Foreman was a household name recognized as the namesake behind the George Foreman Grill, which sold more than 100 million units worldwide, according to The Associated Press.
Michelle Trachtenberg
Michelle Trachtenberg arrives at the premiere of "Doubt" during the AFI Fest 2008 opening night gala in Los Angeles on Oct. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Former child actor Michelle Trachtenberg died unexpectedly on Feb. 26 at the age of 39. She was known for starring roles in "Gossip Girl" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Trachtenberg first began acting in commercials when she was 3 years old before starring in Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" and "All My Children."
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Malcolm-Jamal Warner.Rich Fury/Invision/AP
The beloved "The Cosby Show" actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner died on July 20 after an apparent drowning accident . Warner portrayed Theodore "Theo" Huxtable on the NBC sitcom from 1984 to 1992.
Warner received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on the series in 1986.
Marianne Faithfull
British pop star and actor Marianne Faithfull died at age 78 on Jan. 30, 2025, according to her music promotion company, Republic Media.(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
The iconic singer who defined '60s pop music Marianne Faithfull died on Jan. 30 at the age of 78. Faithfull rose to fame as a teenager when she released her first single "As Tears Go By" in 1964.
After battling addiction and homelessness in the '70s, Faithfull made a resurgence in 1979 when she released her critically acclaimed seventh studio album "Broken English." This album also earned Faithfull a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull," a representative for the singer said in a statement sent to MassLive. "Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family."
Dick Cheney
Vice President Dick Cheney addresses a campaign rally for a Republican congressional candidate in Tampa, Fla., on July 21, 2006. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius, File)
Former vice president Dick Cheney died on Nov. 3 at the age of 84.
Cheney was known for leading the armed forces as Department of Defense Secretary during the Persian Gulf War under President George H.W. Bush. He later served as vice president to former President George W. Bush.
Cheney would later become known as one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in U.S. history and a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq during George W. Bush's first term.
Ruth Buzzi
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" co-stars Ruth Buzzi and Gary Owens during NBC's 75th Anniversary Party, in Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2002. (AP Photo/Rene Macura, File)
Ruth Buzzi, the iconic comedian best known for her work on the series "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," died on May 1 at age 88 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. Buzzi was diagnosed with the illness in 2012 and had been in hospice for several years at the time of her death.
Buzzi won a Golden Globe Award and received five Emmy nominations for her work on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" from 1968 to 1973,
George Wendt
Actor George Wendt posing for a portrait in New York, Oct. 20, 2009.AP Photo/Jeff Christensen, file
Emmy award-nominated "Cheers" actor George Wendt died on May 20 at the age of 76. He died at his Los Angeles home on the 32nd anniversary of the show's finale after suffering cardiac arrest.
Wendt played the role of Norm Peterson during the show's entire 11-season runtime. His performance as Peterson earned him six consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Gene Hackman
Multiple Academy award-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Feb. 26 . Authorities determined they each died over a week earlier.
Medical examiners determined Hackman's cause of death was heart disease and complications due to Alzheimer's disease, while Arakawa died almost a week before Hackman from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Hackman enjoyed a successful career in Hollywood, earning two acting Oscars, one for Best Actor for his role in "The French Connection" and another for Best Supporting actor for his role in "Unforgiven." Hackman was also the first actor to portray iconic comic book supervillain Lex Luthor on the big screen, playing the role in "Superman," "Superman II" and "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace."
Pamela Bach
Pamela Bach, "Baywatch" actor and former wife of actor David Hasselhoff died March 5, 2025, at the age of 62. Here, Bach shown outside a courthouse in Los Angeles on June 19, 2007.Nick Ut/AP
"Baywatch" actor Pamela Bach died on March 5 in her Los Angeles home. Her death was ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner. Bach starred in other shows such as "Knight Rider," "Cheers" and "Sirens."
She was married to her "Baywatch" and "Knight Rider" costar David Hasselhoff for over 15 years. The couple had two children.
"Our family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Pamela Hasselhoff," a representative for David Hasselhoff said in a statement sent to PEOPLE.
Other notable deaths this year include:
Jim Lovell, 97, astronaut.
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 106, religious leader
James Ransone, 46, actor
Jeff Garcia , 50, voice actor
Raul Malo, 60, musician
May Britt , 91, actor
Brett James , 57, musician
Chris Rea , 74, musician
Pat Finn , 60, actor
Patricia "Pat" Crowley , 91, actor
Felix Baumgartner , 56, extreme sportsman
Julian McMahon, 56, actor
Priscilla Pointer , 100, actor
Tom Lehrer , 97, musician and satirist
Jeff Baena , 47, screenwriter and film director
Roy Ayers, 84, composer
Sophie Nyweide , 24, actor
Jiggly Caliente , 44, drag queen
Richard Hurst , 79, actor
Lar Park Lincoln , 63, actor
Irv Gotti , 54, record executive and producer
Lou Christie , 82, musician
Max Romeo, 80, musician
Brian James, 70, musician
Bobby Sherman , 81, musician and actor
Michael Madsen , 67, actor
Kenneth Washington , 88, actor
Tom Troupe , 97, actor
Jonathan Joss , 59, voice actor
Sly Stone , 82, musician
Andrea Gibson, 49, poet
Connie Francis , 87, musician
Alon Aboutboul , 60, actor
Don Zimmerman , 81, film editor
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