The death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 brought change to the Catholic Church, which is now led for the first time by an American pope. And when trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre died by suicide at 41, it brought additional scrutiny to the investigations of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These are just two of the noteworthy and influential people who died in 2025, where the deaths themselves had a widespread impact.
The deaths of Oscar-winning 95-year-old actor Gene Hackman and his wife became a source of both sadness and mystery after their bodies were found in their home in February. Meanwhile, the death of heavy-metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, 76, which came just weeks after his farewell concert, marked the end of an era in music. Here's a roll call of some other influential figures who've died this year, per the AP:
- Boxer George Foreman, 76
- Former VP Dick Cheney, 84
- Jean-Marie Le Pen, 96, founder of France's far-right National Front
- Filmmaker David Lynch, 78
- Broadcaster Bob Uecker, 90
- UK pop star Marianne Faithfull, 78
- Singer Roberta Flack, 88
- Actor Richard Chamberlain, 90
- Actor Val Kilmer, 65
- Comedian Ruth Buzzi, 88
- Retired SCOTUS Justice David H. Souter, 85
- Actor George Wendt, 76
- Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, 79
- Actor Loretta Swit, 87
- Musician Sly Stone, 82
- Musician Brian Wilson, 82
- Chef Anne Burrell, 55
- Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, 90
- Actor Michael Madsen, 67
- Singer Connie Francis, 87
- Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, 56
- Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 54
- Jazz musician Chuck Mangione, 84
- Wrestler Hulk Hogan, 71
- Actor Loni Anderson, 79
- Fashion icon Giorgio Armani, 91
- Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, 31
- Actor/director Robert Redford, 89
- Conservationist Jane Goodall, 91
- Actor Diane Keaton, 79
- KISS musician Ace Frehley, 74
- Actor Diane Ladd, 89
- Reggae star Jimmy Cliff, 81
- Actor/director Rob Reiner, 78
- Reporter Peter Arnett, 91
Check out a more comprehensive list
here. (
This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the US is available by calling or texting 988.)
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