The world of entertainment lives on giant tales, memories that last a lifetime, and the sorcery that performers impart on our speakers and screens. But when those performers die, it’s not just a title—it’s a sentimental farewell to part of our common cultural heritage.
2025 has so far lost some towering figures—cinematic legends, TV legends, and musical legends whose work defined generations. From screen icons to pioneering musicians, here’s a review of the year’s most impactful celebrity deaths, counting down from most recent.
11. Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer died on April 1 at the age of 65. Famous for his roles as Iceman in Top Gun, Doc Holliday in Tombstone, and even wearing the cape in Batman Forever, he was an actor’s shapeshifter—engaging, ferocious, and infinitely versatile. His film legacy leaves a mark on both big-studio blockbusters and indie cinema history.
10. David Johansen
David Johansen, lead singer of the New York Dolls and then the debonair lounge character Buster Poindexter, passed away on February 28. A bold performer whose impact on punk and glam rock is irrefutable—and whose offbeat film appearances presented his fans with an entirely different aspect of him to adore.
9. Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman’s death in late February was the end of an era. The two-time Oscar winner from The French Connection and Unforgiven was one of Hollywood’s greatest actors. Hard, understated, and unforgettable on the screen, Hackman’s ability endured through the test of time.
8. Michelle Trachtenberg
Michelle Trachtenberg passed away on February 26 at age 39. She grew up in the limelight—first with Harriet the Spy, next as a fan favorite on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl. Her energy and dramatic skills made her one of the more interesting stars of her era.
7. Tony Roberts
Tony Roberts, a staple of Woody Allen movies and a Broadway regular, passed away on February 7. A comic’s comedian with impeccable timing and an affable screen presence, he was an actor’s actor whose performance always made an impact.
6. Marianne Faithfull
We farewelled Marianne Faithfull on January 30 at age 78. Beginning life as a pop star of the ’60s, she transformed into a force to be reckoned with in punk and alternative music. Her music and image were endlessly creative, unapologetically brutal, and perpetually changing.
5. Garth Hudson
Garth Hudson, the final survivor of The Band, passed away on January 21. With his work on the organ and more, his musicality served as the foundation of the sound of American rock. That softly brilliant space musician was the heart and soul of a legendary group.
4. Joan Plowright
Joan Plowright died on January 16 at age 95. Distinguished stage and screen performer and widow of Laurence Olivier, she was a presence in her own right. From Enchanted April to a whole array of theatrical parts, her work was always highly felt and beautifully wrought.
3. Leslie Charleson
Daytime TV legend Leslie Charleson, who played Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital, passed away on Jan. 12. Her decades-long tenure was a cornerstone of soap opera lore and earned her the admiration of viewers through generations.
2. Jeff Baena
Independent screenwriter and director Jeff Baena, whose offbeat movies such as The Little Hours and Life After Beth made him a name in the industry, passed away on January 3 at 47. His dark sense of humor and quirky voice as a director made his films noticeable, and his marriage to his wife, Aubrey Plaza, used to push the limits of creativity.
1. David Lynch
One of the world’s greatest creative geniuses of film and television, David Lynch, passed away on January 15 at 78. The visionary film director responsible for Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, and Twin Peaks took storytelling into a new realm of surreal, dreamlike imagination. Lynch didn’t direct movies—his movies created worlds. His legacy is impossible to measure, and his loss will be keenly felt.
All of them left behind something more than a résumé—they left their mark on the cultural landscape. Their work, performances, and projects contributed to the way we laugh, cry, think, and feel. In their memory, their work continues—still entertaining audiences, provoking imagination, and still reminding us of the power of narrative. Let their work continue to inspire us to create, connect, and remember.