Actors and actresses will forever live on through the movies and shows that they played in. But it’s hard to imagine a world where they’re gone. If you want to honor some of the more notable actors who died in 2025, we have a list of a few names.
15. The Kessler Twins
Alice and Ellen Kessler, also known as The Kessler Twins, were most known for their singing, dancing, and acting careers. The German twin sister entertainers gained fame in the 1960s, and died at the age of 89 by assisted suicide on the same day, November 17.
14. Rich Hurst
Best known for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg in the sitcom show The Dukes of Hazzard, Rich Hurst is another notable actor who died in 2025. Hurst died on June 26 at the age of 79, unexpectedly.
13. Sally Kirkland
Sally Kirkland Jr. was an actress and producer, andappeared in more than 250 film and television productions during her 60-year career. She’s most known for her work in Anna (1987), but was also in various shows like Best of the Best (1989) and Bruce Almighty (2003). Unfortunately, Kirkland passed away in October due to injuries to her ribs and feet.
12. June Lockhart
June Kathleen Lockhart was widely known for her television performances in Lassie and Lost in Space. The two-time Emmy Award nominee and Tony Award winner has a successful 90-year career, however, unfroutatnely passed on June 25 due to natural causes.
11. Rob Reiner
One of the more recent deaths, and one of the most notable actors who died in 2025, is Rob Reiner. The director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and political activist was well known in the industry, and most known for his work in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), New Girl (2011-2018), The Princess Bride (1987), and All in the Family (1971-1979). Unfortunately, Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele, 68, were stabbed at their home by their son, Nick Reiner.
10. Joan Plowright
Another one of the most notable actors who died in 2025 is Joan Plowright, the English actress whose career spanned over six decades. She’s most known for her roles in Enchanted April (1991), The Entertainer (1960), and Equus (1977). She passed January at the age of 95.
9. Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff
Pamela Bach is mostly known for working together with her husband on the long-running series, Baywatch, and has a recurring role as a psychologist in the series, Sirens. Bach was found dead at her home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in March at the age of 62.
8. Malcolm-Jamal Warner
The actor, musician, and poet, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, is known for being part of the sitcom show Malcolm & Eddie (1996-2000), as well as being part of Reed Between the Lines (2011, 2015) and Suits (2016-2017). Unfortunately, Warner died at the age of 54 in July from drowning in the ocean off Limón Province, Costa Rica, after being caught in a strong current.
7. Michael Madsen
Best known for his roles in Quintin Tarantino films like Reservoir Dogs (1992), The Hateful Eight (2015), and many more, Michael Madsen is one of the most notable actors who died in 2025. Madsen was found dead in his home in July at the age of 67.
6. Michelle Trachtenberg
One of the youngest stars who died this year, Michelle Trachtenberg, is known for being in the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1994-1996) as well as being in the successful supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2000-2003). During her final years, Trachtenberg struggled with health problems, but continued acting before her death at the age of 39.
5. Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer was an iconic actor and one of the most notable actors who died in 2025. Kilmer was known for his range of films, including Top Gun (1986), Willow (1988), Tombstone (1993), Top Gun: Maverick (2022), and many more. Unfortunately, Kilmer passed in April due to pneumonia at the age of 65.
4. David Lynch
As a filmmaker, painter, visual artist, actor, and more, David Lynch is one of the most notable actors who died in 2025. He’s known for many amazing titles, including his independent body horror, Eraserhead (1977). He’s also known for his neo-noir mystery films like Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Drive (2001). The legend unfortunately passed after being evacuated from his home due to Southern California fires, which resulted in a decline in his health. He passed January 15 at the age of 78.
3. Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen Hackman was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, with a career spanning over four decades. He’s best known for his roles in The French Connection (1981) and Unforgiven (1992). He also received fame for his Lex Luthor roles in three Superman movies from 1978 to 1987. His and his wife’s bodies were discovered on February 26.
2. Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton was a huge loss this year, as she’s well known for her five decades of acting. Keaton frequently collaborated with Woody Allen, appearing in eight of his films. Along with that, Keaton was also nominated for an Oscar for her Louise Bryant role in Reds (1981), and was also known for her work in Manhattan (1979), Book Club (2018), and directing the 1987 documentary Heaven. Keaton died in October at the age of 79 due to pneumonia.
1. Robert Redford
One of the most notable actors who died in 2025 is Robert Redford, known for his stellar six-decade-long career. While he was in popular shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone, he was also known for his amazing work, like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Candidate (1972), Three Days of the Condor (1975), and many more. He’s also known for his role as Alexander Pierce in the MCU films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). Unfortunately, he passed September 16 while asleep at the age of 89.