1 day Ago By Ariana Brockington
Months into 2025, family, friends and fans have had to pay tributes to late athletes, actors, singers and other creatives who have died this year. In January, television and film fanatics learned that David Lynch, the surrealist artist behind “Twin Peaks,” “Mulholland Drive” and more acclaimed projects, had died at the age of 78. The following month, authorities found Gene Hackman , 96, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog dead in their New Mexico home.
There was an outpouring of tributes honoring Lynch, Hackman and more stars following their deaths, from both close friends and fans. See below the list of celebrities who have died in 2025 and how they were honored. Wayne Osmond Wayne Osmond, who performed with his siblings in their family singing groups called The Osmond Brothers and The Osmonds died on Jan.
1 at the age of 73 . Brother Donny Osmond wrote a sweet tribute to his late brother on Instagram and shared that he suffered a stroke before his death. “My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke.
I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed,” he wrote. “Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.
” Jeff Baena Director Jeff Baena , husband of actor Aubrey Plaza, died on Jan. 3. He was 47.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed in their records that Baena died by suicide at his home. Baena co-wrote the 2004 movie “I Heart Huckabees” with filmmaker David O. Russell.
He also worked on multiple projects with Plaza, including the films “Life After Beth,” “The Little Hours” and “Spin Me Round.” A few days after his death, Plaza and the Baena and Stern family released a statement that said, “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support.
Please respect our privacy during this time.” Peter Yarrow Peter Yarrow, the folk singer known as one-third of the trio Peter, Paul and Mary, died on Jan. 7.
He was 86. His publicist confirmed to NBC News that Yarrow died in New York City and he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer years ago. Mary Travers died in 2009 at the age of 72.
Noel Paul Stookey, 87, the last surviving member of the trio, shared in a statement about Yarrow, “He was a loving ‘uncle’ to my three daughters. And, while his comfort in the city and my love of the country tended to keep us apart geographically, our different perspectives were celebrated often in our friendship and our music.” He continued, “I was five months older than Peter — who became my creative, irrepressible, spontaneous and musical younger brother — yet at the same time, I grew to be grateful for, and to love, the mature-beyond-his-years wisdom and inspiring guidance he shared with me like an older brother.
Politically astute and emotionally vulnerable, perhaps Peter was both of the brothers I never had ...
and I shall deeply miss both of him.” Bob Uecker Longtime baseball broadcaster and actor Bob Uecker, nicknamed as “Ueck” and “Mr. Baseball,” died on Jan.
16 at 90 years old. Uecker called games for the Milwaukee Brewers since the ‘70s. The baseball team announced his death in a statement shared on X that said, in part, “Today we take on the heaviest of burdens.
Today, we say goodbye to our beloved friend, Bob Uecker. Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss.” Uecker’s family also confirmed that he was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer in 2023.
“Even in the face of this challenge, his enthusiasm for life was always present, never allowing his spirit to falter,” his family said in a statement. David Lynch Oscar-nominated filmmaker David Lynch died on Jan. 16 at 78 years old.
Lynch, who co-created the mystery-horror series “Twin Peaks” and directed revolutionary films like “Mulholland Drive” and “Blue Velvet,” worked with Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern, Naomi Watts, Justin Theroux and more throughout his career. “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” his family wrote in the Facebook statement confirming his death. “We would appreciate some privacy at this time.
There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.
” His family did not share a cause of death. Lynch announced less than six months before he died that he had been diagnosed with emphysema . Joan Plowright Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning actor Joan Plowright died at the age of 95 on Jan.
17. She first appeared on screen in the 1956 film “Moby Dick” and later starred in the 1960 movie “The Entertainer” with husband Laurence Olivier, to whom she was married until he died in 1989. She also starred in movies like “Enchanted April,” “Bringing Down the House” and “101 Dalmatians” before retiring from acting in 2014.
“She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire,” Plowright’s family said in a statement reported by the BBC and other British media outlets. “We are so proud of all Joan did and who she was as a loving and deeply inclusive human being.” Lynn Ban “Bling Empire: New York” star Lynn Ban died on Jan.
20, her son Sebastian confirmed in a statement shared on Instagram . Ban, who was also a jewelry designer, had recently undergone brain surgery after a skiing accident. She shared photos on social media in December of her recovering in the hospital shortly after her surgery and accident.
In a statement posted on his mother’s Instagram page, Sebastian wrote, in part, “I would like to take the chance to share who my mum really was. She was and always will be my best friend, the best mother to me, and someone who cared for all. She always had a smile on her face even when times were tough during her recovery process.
She was a fighter until the end and is the strongest woman I know. She was the funniest and coolest mum I could ever ask for. She took care of me, my dad, and our Entire family throughout her whole life.
” Garth Hudson Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band , died Jan. 21 at 87. Hudson played the saxophone in the group, which was founded in 1967.
The Band released their hit “The Weight” a year later. The official Instagram for the group released a statement that said, “Today, we sadly say goodbye to Garth ‘Honey Boy’ Hudson, the last living original member of The Band. A musical genius and cornerstone of the group’s timeless sound, Garth once said, “I found some true enjoyment in helping people get to the bottom of their feelings.
” The statement continued, “Through his music, he did just that—helping us all feel more deeply and connect to something greater. Rest easy, Garth.” Irv Gotti Music executive Irv Gotti , who collaborated with artists like Ashanti and Ja Rule, died on Feb.
5 at 54. Gotti was known for co-founding Murder Inc. Records, the label under parent company Def Jam Recordings, with his brother, Chris.
Gotti was born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. Gotti’s children Angie, Sonny and JJ confirmed their father’s death in a statement shared on Instagram . The siblings wrote, “Surrounded by family and friends, he departed this world, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless lives he touched.
” They called their dad “a true visionary who transformed the hip-hop industry and changed the game for artists and fans alike.” The family did not include a cause of death. Tony Roberts Actor and Tony Award-nominated performer Tony Roberts died on Feb.
7 at the age of 85. Roberts’ daughter, Nicole Burley, confirmed his death to The New York Times . Roberts appeared in multiple Wood Allen movies, frequently portraying Allen’s best friend.
He also starred in Broadway musicals like “How Now, Dow Jones,” “Sugar,” an adaptation of “Some Like It Hot” and “Victor/Victoria,” which also featured Julia Andrews. Voletta Wallace Voletta Wallace , the mother of late iconic rapper The Notorious B.I.
G., died Feb. 21 at 78.
Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac told The Associated Press that Wallace died of natural causes in her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. She had recently entered hospice care. Following her son’s death in 1997, Wallace spent the rest of her life keeping his legacy alive.
She was an executive producer on the 2021 Netflix documentary, “Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell.” Speaking about her son and his talents in 2017 to the AP , she said that she had never listened to the rapper’s music before his death. But she decided to listen after hearing his song on the radio.
“I cried so much that day just listening to the music. I remember I sat, I stood. I rested my head on the stereo and I just cried like a baby.
And that was therapy for me,” she recalled. “And I said, ‘Oh my God — that was a talented young man to put those words together.’ He had a beautiful voice.
I love his voice.” Jesus Guerrero Celebrity hair stylist Jesus Guerrero , who worked with stars like Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba and Kylie Jenner, died in February at 34 years old. A statement was shared on Guerrero’s Instagram stories on Feb.
23 confirming his death. The statement, which was written above a series of photos showing the late stylist, said, “Our family would like to thank everyone for all the love and support during this hard time. Jesus was the brightest light, we have never doubted that he touched the hearts and lives of everyone he came across.
” The family added, “We have fallen into tears repeatedly reminiscing and wondering what we could of done different to still have him with us. Seeing everyone’s loving posts, fills and tears our hearts all at once.” Jenner and Lopez also penned sweet tributes to their friend on Instagram.
Roberta Flack Roberta Flack , the remarkable vocalist behind ballads like “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” died on Feb. 24. She was 88.
Her manager, Suzanne Koga, and music journalist Mikel Gilmore confirmed her death in a statement. Her manager also told The New York Times that the singer died from cardiac arrest. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family.
Roberta broke boundaries and records,” Koga and Gilmore said. “She was also a proud educator.” Flack had been diagnosed with ALS and was unable to perform the final years of her life.
“Although I no longer play or sing, when I experience music — it’s so much more than just ‘listening’ for me — I connect to my parents, my teaches, my fans, my peers. Everyone. Music is everything to me,” she said in an email interview with TODAY.
com in 2023. Gene Hackman On Feb. 26, legendary actor Gene Hackman , his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead in their New Mexico home.
Hackman, 96, and Arakawa, 64, had been married since 1991. Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office told NBC affiliate KOB that the bodies of the Academy Award winner, who starred in films like “The French Connection” and “Hoosiers,” and his wife were discovered after a neighbor called police about a welfare check. In a March 7 press conference, Dr.
Heather Jarrell, the chief medical investigator for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, revealed Hackman and Arakawa's causes of death . Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is caused by hantavirus, a rare infection primarily spread by rodents through their urine, saliva, and droppings. Hackman died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor.
He did not test positive for hantavirus. Michelle Trachtenberg Actor Michelle Trachtenberg , best known for her characters in “Gossip Girl” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” was found dead in a New York City apartment on Feb. 26, the New York City Chief Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed.
She was 39. The examiner’s office also shared that Trachtenberg’s family objected to an autopsy. After responding to a 911 call, police arrived at the apartment and found Trachtenberg unconscious and unresponsive.
The cause and manner of her death are undetermined. Former co-stars like Blake Lively and Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote tributes remembering Trachtenberg and their time on set together. Angie Stone R&B singer Angie Stone died on March 1 at the age of 63, her record label, SRG/ILS Group, shared in a news release.
“Everybody at SRG/ILS is devastated after hearing the news about Angie Stone’s passing. We had the honor of releasing her most recent album. She was always a pleasure to work with and a true light to everyone she touched,” her label said.
The label also praised Stone for being “a Hip Hop and R&B legend.” Music producer Walter Millsap III told the Associated Press that the singer died from injuries sustained in a car crash after the vehicle she was traveling in from Alabama “flipped over and was subsequently hit by a big rig.” Pamela Bach Hasselhoff "Baywatch" actor Pamela Bach Hasselhoff, who was married to David Hasselhoff from 1989 to 2006, died in March at the age of 62, The Associated Press reported.
The late actor's family confirmed her death in a statement sent to TODAY.com . "Our family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Pamela Hasselhoff.
We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult period but kindly request privacy as we grieve and navigate through this challenging time," the family said. George Foreman World heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist George Foreman died on March 21 . He was 76.
His death was announced on his Instagram page. "Our hearts are broken," the statement said. "With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr.
who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones." The statement added, "A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose." In addition to his legacy as a boxing legend, Foreman was also known as an entrepreneur after launching the "George Foreman Grill," officially the George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine.
Richard Chamberlain Actor Richard Chamberlain, who led shows "The Thorn Birds," "Shōgun" and "Dr. Kildare," died in Hawaii on March 29 , his representative confirmed. He was 90 and would have celebrated his 91st birthday on March 31.
Chamberlain's rep said he died following complications from a stroke. The actor's "life long partner and best friend" Martin Rabbett , whom he was in a relationship with for over 30 years, shared a sweet statement honoring Chamberlain. "Our beloved Richard is with the angels now.
He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul," Rabbett said. He continued, "Love never dies.
And our love is under his wings lifting him to his next great adventure.".
