The celebrity world has said goodbye to many famous faces in 2025 already, with too many sad deaths happening – and, tragically, we are only six months in.
Here, ED! remembers the stars and celebs we’ve loved and lost so far this year.
Celebrity deaths: Jocelyn Wildenstein
Jocelyn Wildenstein, also known as Catwoman, died on New Year’s Eve.
The star was known for her surgery and also her likeness to a real cat. She was 84 at the time of her death. Her partner Lloyd Klein, 57, claimed to People that Jocelyn’s battle with phlebitis – an inflammation that causes a blood clot to form in a vein – played a role in her death.
Tony Slattery
Comedian Tony Slattery died from a heart attack, aged 65, on January 14.
The Whose Line Is It Anyway? star suffered a heart attack on the Sunday night before being taken to hospital. He then died on Tuesday, as shared by his partner.
Celebrity deaths: The Vivienne
The Vivienne – real name James Lee Williams – died on January 5. The Drag Race UK winner and Dancing On Ice star was 32 at the time of their death.
Police have also ruled out any “suspicious circumstances”.
Paul Danan
Hollyoaks star Paul Danan’s death was announced on January 16. He was 46. The actor played Sol Patrick on the soap.
While Paul’s cause of death is unknown, in the past he’d been open about the many health issues he battled. Police also confirmed that his death was not being treated as suspicious. Reports suggested he died after a fall at his home.
Diane Langton
The death of Diane Langton was shared on January 15.
Diane, who was best known for her roles on Hollyoaks as Nana McQueen and also Only Fools And Horses, was 77 years old.
She died from kidney disease.
Celebrity deaths: Linda Nolan
Singer and TV star Linda Nolan sadly passed away on January 15 aged 65.
A statement said that she died surrounded by her loved ones after a 20-year cancer battle. However, sister Maureen revealed that cancer didn’t actually kill Linda. Instead, she contracted double pneumonia over the festive period and her body was too weak to fight it.
Question Time producer Alison Fuller
Earlier this month, Fiona Bruce choked back tears as she shared the death of her producer.
She shared: “Before we go… very sadly, last week, we lost a well-loved…,” she said, before looking down and choking back tears.
After composing herself, Fiona continued: “Alison Fuller had worked on this programme for 27 years. She was responsible for recruiting audiences, like you. We reckon she’s spoken to well over, I think, 100,000 audience members in that time. It was a very short and sudden illness and we were all shocked by her death and we miss her very much. I just want to send my love to Ally’s family.”
Roberta Flack
February 24 saw the death of Killing Me Softly With His Song hitmaker Roberta Flack announced.
Roberta was aged 88 at the time of her death. She revealed she was suffering from MND back in 2022. In a statement, her reps said: “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025. She died peacefully surrounded by her family.”
Death of Michelle Trachtenberg
Also this week, the death of Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg was announced. She was aged 39.
The star, who has appeared in a myriad of 90s and 2000s show was reportedly found dead by her mother in her New York City apartment near Central Park on February 26.
The NYPD have since confirmed that they discovered Trachtenberg “unconscious and unresponsive” and she was pronounced dead by emergency medical workers, according to reports.
Despite Michelle Trachtenberg’s death being untimely, police are not treating it as suspicious. She had struggled with alcohol problems over the years and, in the months before her death, underwent a liver transplant.
Henry Kelly
Going For Gold host Henry Kelly also died this week. On February 26, his death was announced in a statement.
He is said to have died at the age of 78 “after a period of ill health”.
Carry On star Julian Holloway
Miriam Margolyes was among those paying tribute following the death of Carry On legend Julian Holloway. He was aged 80 and was the father of model Sophie Dahl.
No cause of death was revealed. Miriam shared: “Oh I am very sad. Wonderful man. Wishing you and all his family long life. Too many going.”
Celebrity deaths – Gene Hackman
The death of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman was announced earlier today (February 27).
Mystery surrounds the cause of the actor’s death. He was found at his New Mexico home alongside the bodies of his 64-year-old wife and their dog.
Silent Witness creator
The creator of Silent Witness, Nigel McCrery, also died in February. He shared he had been diagnosed with a terminal illness in October 2024. However, he didn’t say what diagnosis doctors had given him.
Actress Emilia Fox – who stars in the series – paid her tribute on social media. She shared: “I was hugely fond of him personally.” Emilia then added: “He was always kind and warm and spoke devotedly of his own family as an extremely proud parent and grandparent.”
Val Kilmer
Hollywood lost another legend in April, when the death of Val Kilmer was announced.
Val died on April 1 aged 65, according to his daughter Mercedes Kilmer, who he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley.
She told The New York Times that her beloved father had died from pneumonia in Los Angeles. She said that he was surrounded by his family and friends when he died.
Val was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and had to undergo surgery. He also had a tracheotomy which reduced his ability to speak. Val was later declared cancer-free. However, it was been revealed that Val did have cancer when he died.
Coronation Street’s Philip Lowrie
Philip, who appeared in the soap’s first-ever episode, died in April, at the age of 88.
A statement from his agent read: His death marks the end of an era for the world’s longest-running soap, where he became a cornerstone of its storytelling.”
Drag Race legend lost
The world of drag and entertainment wa mourning in April as RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente tragically died at the age of 44. Her death came just weeks after undergoing a major health battle that led to the amputation of her right leg.
The devastating news was confirmed by Jiggly’s family in a heartfelt statement posted to Instagram.
Celebrity deaths – George Wendt
Cheers legend George Wendt’s death was announced at the end of May. He was 78.
His family said he died peacefully in his sleep at his home early in Los Angeles.
Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys
Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson left fans heartbroken when he died in June. He was 82.
No cause of death has been disclosed. However, the Beach Boys singer’s health had been a growing concern in recent years. In 2024, it was revealed he was living with dementia.
Celebrity deaths – Kim Woodburn
The How Clean is Your House star died aged 83 in June.
In the months before her death, Kim suffered a period of ill health and took a step away from social media.
Her cause of death hasn’t been revealed.
Diogo Jota
The world of sport was in mourning in early July when Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota died in a car accident.
He was 28 and, 11 days before his tragic death, he had tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart.
Michael Madsen and Sophia Hutchins
Hollywood actor Michael Madsen’s death was announced on the same day as Caitlyn Jenner’s best pal Sophia’s death.
Michael was 67. Sophia was 29.
The sad news of Michael Madsen’s death was announced on July 3. A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter that Michael was found “unresponsive” by deputies responding to a 911 call at his Malibu home. He was pronounced dead at 8:25 a.m.
Michael’s rep at EMR Media Entertainment told the publication: “We understand Michael had a cardiac arrest.” A joint statement from his managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith of Bohemia Entertainment and Rodriguez also said: “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
His cardiologist has confirmed that he died from heart failure. Heart disease and alcoholism will be named as contributing factors, the unnamed doctor told NBC LA.
Sophia, meanwhile, died in an ATV (an all-terrain vehicle) accident near Caitlyn’s home.
Celebrity deaths – Julian McMahon
The death of actor and Danni Minogue’s ex Julian McMahon was announced later in July.
PEOPLE magazine confirmed the cause of death through a Cremation Approval Summary Report from the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office in Florida.
It stated that the Australian actor had died from lung metastasis as a result of head and neck metastatic cancer. This is described as cancer that has spread from its original site in the head or neck to other parts of the body.
The cause of death was ruled as natural, and it’s reported his remains have since been cremated.
Love Actually’s Joanna Bacon
EastEnders and Love Actually star Joanna Bacon died at the age of 72 in June. However, her death was only announced in late July. She had cancer.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
The Cosby Show’s star death was tragic – he drowned while swimming in Costa Rica.
He was aged jut 54.
Celebrity deaths – Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne’s death at the aged of 76 was announced on July 22. It was reported that an air ambulance was sent to his Buckinghamshire home and paramedics spent two hours trying to save him.
Despite numerous health issues over the years, including being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it has been reported that Ozzy’s passing was unexpected.
Hulk Hogan
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan’s death was announced hours after Ozzy’s. He was 71.
His death came after reports of ill health and hospitalisation over the past couple of months. Police said no foul play is suspected, but an investigation has been launched following the death of the wrestling legend.
It was later revealed he died of a cardiac arrest.
Read more: Inside Paul Danan and nine-year-old son DeNiro’s bond
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