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Gene Hackman to Rob Reiner, list of Hollywood celebrities who passed in 2025

From Gene Hackman to Rob Reiner, 2025 claimed several Hollywood celebrities who left an indelible mark on cinema.
posted by Vaishnavi Sah
Monday 12/15/2025 at 2:09PM EST
  • Giorgio Armani's coffin lies in the Mortuary Chapel at Armani Teatro(Image via Getty)
    Giorgio Armani's coffin lies in the Mortuary Chapel at Armani Teatro(Image via Getty)

    2025 saw the loss of several legendary Hollywood actors, who left a profound impact on fans and the entertainment industry alike, including Gene Hackman, Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, Malcolm Jamal Warner and Michelle Trachtenberg, among others.

    Here is a list of Hollywood actors and actresses who passed away in 2025.

    Hollywood Celebrities Who Passed Away In 2025

    1. Rob Reiner

    Rob Reiner (Image via X/@TiborM.Kalman)Celebrated actor, screenwriter, comedian and director, Rob Reiner, was recently found dead on December 14, 2025, alongside his wife Michele Singer, inside their Brentwood, California home.

    The couple who share three children: Jake, Nick and Romy, tied the knot in 1989. The investigation is ongoing.

    "On December 14th, at around 1540 hours, LAPD Officers assigned to West LA Division responded to a death investigation in the 200 block of South Chadbourne Avenue. Once inside the residence, officers discovered two decedents. The identity of the decedents has not yet been confirmed. Robbery Homicide Division (RHD) responded to the residence, which has been identified as the home of Rob Reiner," said the LAPD in a statement, as the couple's identity was not confirmed.

    2. Gene Hackman

    The two time Oscar winner Gene Hackman was found dead on February 26 with his wife, Betsy Arakawa and their dog at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

    A month later, authorities revealed that Gene's wife of 30 years passed away from hantavirus, while Hackman died from a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure and advanced Alzheimer's disease.

    3. Diane Keaton

    Diane Keaton (Image via X/@PopCrave)Diane Keaton has passed away at the age of 79. The Annie Hall star died on October 11 in Los Angeles.

    "She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her. It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit," her friend told Page Six at the time.

    According to Today, her death certificate listed primary bacterial pneumonia as the cause of her death.

    Her daughter, Dexter and son, Duke, confirmed the same in an October 15 statement.

    "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. She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her," they said, according to People Magazine.

    4. Peter Greene

    The Pulp Fiction actor was found dead in his Lower East Side apartment on Clinton Street at 60. The cause of death is yet to be revealed.

    "He was a unique individual. One of the most brilliant character actors on the planet. Had a really good heart. Cared about people. Truly one of the great actors of our generation," his long-time manager said.

    5. Sally Kirkland

    Sally Kirkland, who starred in Anna, had entered hospice care before she passed away on November 11 after battling with dementia.

    "She continues to receive medical care at a private facility where family and friends joined her on Halloween for a birthday celebration," Page Six was told.

    6. Diane Ladd

    Diane Ladd's daughter, Laura Dern, revealed her mother's passing in a November 3 statement to People Magazine.

    Ladd, who was 89 at the time of his passing, died of "acute on chronic hypoxic respiratory failure."

    "My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother, Diane Ladd, passed with me beside her this morning, at her home in Ojai, Calif. She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created. We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now," Dern said.

    7. Floyd Roger Myers Jr.

    The actor known for portraying young Will Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air passed away at 42 of an "unexpected" and "sudden" heart attack on October 29, his sister wrote on a GoFundMe page.

    8. June Lockhart

    June Lockhart (Image via X/@L)June Lockhart, known for her roles in Lassie and Lost in Space, passed away at the age of 100 in October in Santa Monica, Los Angeles.

    9. Robert Redford

    Robert Redford (Image via X/@Dexerto)The Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid star passed away in his sleep at 89 on September 16, at "the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved," said Cindi Berger, chairman and CEO of Rogers & Cowen PMK, in a statement to People Magazine.

    10. Polly Holliday

    Polly Holliday (Image via X/@ 𓂀𝕋𝔼𝔸ℍ𓂀)Polly Holliday passed away on September 9 at her home in New York. The actress known for her role as Flow in Alice passed away following several years of health issues.

    11. Jerry Adler

    Jeryy Adler (Image via X/@ƃopuǝʌǝʇs 🇺🇸 † (stranger things spoiler warning)Jerry Adler, known for his role in The Good Wife, passed away at 96, "peacefully in his sleep in New York City," his representative told Page Six.

    "Jerry Adler passed away on August 23, 2025, at the age of 96. Born on February 4, 1929, Jerry was a resident of New York, New York," his family wrote at the time.

    12. David Ketchum

    The Get Smart actor passed away at age 97 on August 10.

    "He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, warmth and timeless television moments — reminding us all that sometimes, the simplest surprise (like someone perched in a mailbox) can yield the biggest smile," his family told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement on August 22.

    13. Terence Stamp

    The Superman actor passed away at age 87 on August 17.

    "He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come," his family told Reuters.

    14. Tristan Rogers

    Tristan Rogers (Image via X/@Beth)Tristan Rogers, who starred in General Hospital, died at age 79 after his cancer diagnosis was revealed in July.

    "He loved being Scorpio and he created that role from nothing. He was supposed to work a day and he ended up making it into something huge. He was just a genuinely loyal, kind human being and he loved his family," his longtime manager Meryl Soodak told ABC 7 Eyewitness News.

    15. Danielle Spencer

    Known for her role as Dee Thomas in What's Happening!!, Danielle Spencer passed away on August 11, following a battle with cancer.

    Other Notable Losses in Hollywood During 2025

    16. Loni Anderson

    Loni Anderson (Image via X/@NoirchickInOldHollywood)Actress Loni Anderson passed away on August 30, days before her 80th birthday. At a Los Angeles hospital, following a "prolonged illness", her publicists told Associated Press.

    17. Malcolm-Jamal Warner

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Image via X/@InMyMind🎅🏾♥️)The Cosby Show alum passed away while swimming on a family trip to Costa Rica on July 20. The actor was announced dead at the scene after he was "caught in high current."

    18. Julian McMahon

    The Nip/Tuck actor passed away on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida, at age 56, after a private battle with cancer.

    19. Michael Madsen

    Known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Michrolesael Madsen passed away at age 67 on July 3. He was found unresponsive in his home in Malibu.

    His manager, Ron Smith, shared that he passed away from cardiac arrest.

    20. Lynn Hamilton

    Lynn Hamilton (Image via X/@GoldenGirlsfanaccount)The Sanford and Son actress passed away from natural causes at age 95 on June 19.

    "Her illustrious career, spanning over five decades, has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, motivating audiences across the globe through her work as a model, stage, film and television actress," her former manager and publicist wrote on social media at the time.

    21. Jack Betts

    Jack Betts (Image via X/@TheresaLongoFans)Jack Betts died at age 91 in his sleep on June 19, Dean Sullivan, his nephew, told The Hollywood Reporter at the time.

    22. Valerie Mahaffey

    Valerie Mahaffey (Image via X/@𝔻𝕖𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕙 🥃🖊️)Emmy-winning actress Valerie Mahaffey passed away at age 71 in Los Angeles on May 30 after battling cancer.

    "I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed," her husband, Joseph Kell, told Page Six at the time.

    23. Loretta Swit

    Loretta Swit (Image via X/@Annie)The M*A*S*H star passed away from natural causes at age 87 on May 30.

    24. George Wendt

    The Cheers star's publicist, Melissa Nathan, shared that he passed away "peacefully in his sleep while at home" on May 20 at age 76 in a statement to People Magazine.

    "George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever," the statement added.

    25. Denise Alexander

    The General Hospital star passed away on March 5 at age 85 from natural causes.

    26. Charley Scalies

    Charley Scalies (Image via X/@seliganerd.com)

    Charley Scalies, The Wire and The Sopranos actress, passed away at age 84 after a "long battle" with Alzheimer's disease, her daughter, Anne Marie Scalies, shared with The Hollywood Reporter.

    27. Sophie Nyweide

    Sophie Nyweide (Image via X/@DonLee)

    Nyweide, a former child actress who appeared in Noah and Margot at the Wedding, died at age 24 on April 14.

    The official cause of her death was not revealed.

    28. Nicky Katt

    Nicky Katt (Image via X/@AmericanMilitaryNews)Nicky Katt died at age 54, John Sloss, founder and partner at Sloss Law, confirmed on April 12.

    He was known for his roles in Boiler Room and Dazed and Confused, among others.

    29. Val Kilmer

    Val Kilmer (Image via X/@cinesthetic.)

    Val Kilmer, who was known for his role in Top Gun among others, passed away from pneumonia on April 1 at age 65. The actor was previously diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and recovered, his daughter told The New York Times.

    30. Richard Chamberlain

    Richard Chamberlain (Image via X/@YasharAli🐘)The Shōgun actor passed away at age 90 on March 29 in Waimanalo, Hawaii. According to multiple outlets, he suffered complications from a stroke.

    31. Jack Lilley

    The Little House on the Prairie alum passed away at age 91. His passing was announced by his co-star Melissa Gilbert in an Instagram post on March 21.

    32. Mark Dobies

    Mark Dobies (Image via X/@Decider)The Guiding Light actor passed away on March 11 at age 65. The official cause of his death has not been revealed.

    33. Wings Hauser

    Wings Hauser (Image via X/@MarcWatkins ⚖️)

    Wings Hauser, known for his role in The Young and the Restless, passed away at age 78. Hauser's passing was announced by his wife, Cali Lili Hauser, on Instagram on March 19.

    34. Lynne Marie Stewart

    Lynne Marie Stewart (Image via X/@WGNMorningNews)The It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star passed away at age 78 on February 21, after a tumour was found between her liver and gallbladder in mid-December, per TMZ.

    35. Leslie Charleson

    Leslie Charleson passed away at age 79. Her passing was announced by General Hospital's executive producer Frank Valentini in an Instagram post on January 12.

    "Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on ‘General Hospital’ alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew. I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time," he wrote.

    Although these celebrities have passed, their contributions continue to inspire people around the world.

    TOPICS: Rob Reiner, Celebrity news, Celebrity death, Entertainment


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