Controversial screen siren dies at 91: Public figures we lost this year

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Classic film star Brigitte Bardot died at her home in Southern France on December 28. She was 91. "The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the death of its founder and president, Madame Brigitte Bardot, a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation," the animal rights organization said in a statement. While her cause of death wasn't immediately clear, the God Created Woman actress reportedly underwent surgery amid a "serious illness" in October. Bardot leaves behind a controversial legacy, as her stances on immigration, Islam and women's rights were often far-right-leaning and increasingly problematic in her later years.
 
Keep reading to look back at more public figures we lost this year…
 
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Acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found with their throats slit at their home in Los Angeles on December 14. According to Los Angeles Sheriff's Department records via USA Today, their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and booked for murder. The 32-year-old, who has a history of drug abuse, reportedly got into a "very loud argument" with the Oscar-nominated A Few Good Men director at Conan O'Brien's home the previous day, a source told TMZ. According to reports, it was the late couple's daughter, Romy Reiner, who found their lifeless bodies. Romy reportedly told police that her brother had been living with their parents, that he was "dangerous" and that he should be considered a suspect.

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Diane Ladd died at her home in Ojai, Calif., on November 3  — only three months after her third husband, Robert Charles Hunter, died at 77, following 26 years of marriage. The three-time Oscar nominee — and mother of Academy Award-winning actress Laura Dern — was 89. "My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother, Diane Ladd, passed with me beside her this morning," the Big Little Lies star said in a statement. "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." Ladd, whose cause of death has not been determined, shared the screen with her daughter in two of the three films for which she earned Oscar nominations — Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose — plus several other lauded projects.

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Ace Frehley died in a New Jersey hospital on October 16 — a couple weeks after he fell in his studio and suffered a brain bleed that left him on a ventilator. The Kiss guitarist and vocalist was 74. His family, who made the difficult decision to take him off life support, released a statement mourning the erstwhile Spaceman: "We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth," they said. "We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace's memory will continue to live on forever!"

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Diane Keaton died at 79 on October 11. The Oscar-winning Annie Hall star was transported to a hospital after responders reported a "person down" in a 911 call. Four days later, her family released a statement announcing that she died from pneumonia. A source previously hinted at an ongoing illness, saying, "She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her. … It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit. In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren't fully aware of what was happening." Keaton's pal Carole Bayer Sager claimed the actress lost a noticeable amount of weight in the weeks before she died. "I saw her two or three weeks ago, and she was very thin," the songwriter said. The slimdown prompted speculation that Keaton's cancer might've returned. She previously battled skin cancer when she was just 21 years old. "It's a family history," she once said. "I remember my Auntie Martha had skin cancer so bad they removed her nose. My father had basal skin cancer and my brother had it. It's tricky with this skin cancer. That's why you've got to put the sunblock on."

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On October 1, Dr. Jane Goodall's eponymous institute took to Instagram to release a statement announcing that she'd died in Los Angeles, where she was scheduled to speak two days later as part of her "2025 USA Fall Tour." She was 91. "The Jane Goodall Institute has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has passed away due to natural causes. She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States," the statement read. "Dr. Goodall's discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world." The institute later shared that Goodall "died peacefully in her sleep."

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Robert Redford died on September 16 "at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah – the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved," the Oscar-winner's publicist, Cindi Berger, announced in a statement, adding that the screen legend "will be missed greatly." He was 89.

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Charlie Kirk was shot dead in front of a large crowd during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on September 10. He was 31. According to reports, law enforcement officials have recovered the "high-powered, bolt-action rifle" that was used to assassinate the conservative activist. The shooter is still at large. President Donald Trump paid tribute to the right-wing media personality on Truth Social, writing, "The great and even legendary Charlie Kirk is dead. No one understood or had the heart of the youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me and now, he is no longer with us. … My sympathies go out to his beautiful wife, Erika Lane Frantzve, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

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Italian designer Giorgio Armani died at 91 on September 4, his namesake fashion house announced in a statement. "With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder and tireless driving force, Giorgio Armani. Tireless, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, its collections and the diverse and ever-evolving projects both existing and in progress," the brand said, adding that Armani "passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones" at his home in Milan. His health had taken a turn in the months preceding his death, which saw him sitting out Milan Fashion Week in June for the first time ever.

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Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, died at 48 on August 7 following a secret three-year battle with cancer. "Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time," a rep for the former talent manager's family said in a statement. The tragic news came mere hours after the American Idol alum put her Las Vegas residency on pause to care for the two children she shares with Blackstock, who has two older children from his first marriage. Clarkson and Blackstock tied the knot in 2013 and separated in 2020.

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WKRP in Cincinnati star Loni Anderson died at a Los Angeles hospital on Aug. 3 — just two days before her 80th birthday. The actress — who was known in later years for her notoriously tumultuous relationship with and subsequent split from third husband Burt Reynolds — reportedly suffered from a prolonged illness preceding her death at 79.

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Hulk Hogan is dead at 71. The wrestling legend-turned-Hollywood star died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida on July 24. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends and fans," the wrestling promotion said in a statement. The athlete, actor and reality star is survived by his third wife, Sky Daily, and his two children.

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Ozzy Osbourne has died at 76 following a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease. On July 22 — just two weeks after the Black Sabbath rocker performed his final concert — his family shared the heartbreaking news. "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time," they said in a statement. The singer was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003, though he kept the diagnosis private until 2020. The disease greatly impacted his ability to walk and stand in recent years.

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The Cosby Show alum Malcolm-Jamal Warner died on July 20 when he drowned after a current swept him out to sea while body surfing on a family trip to Costa Rica. He was 54.

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Julian McMahon died on July 2 following a private battle with cancer. He was 56. "With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer," the Nip/Tuck actor's wife, Kelly McMahon, said in a statement. "Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible. We ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy. And we wish for all of those to whom Julian brought joy, to continue to find joy in life. We are grateful for the memories." People magazine later reported that the Charmed alum died of lung metastasis as a result of head and neck metastatic cancer.

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Food Network star Anne Burrell died at her home in New York City on June 17. She was 55. "Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered," her family said in a statement. "Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit and boundless love remain eternal." Authorities investigated Burrell's death as a possible overdose and ultimately found in mid-July that it was self-inflicted. According to documents obtained by The New York Times, the chef was "discovered in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately 100 assorted pills." The New York City medical examiner's office later reported that she died from "acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine and amphetamine."

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Michael Madsen died from cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu on July 3. He was 67. The actor frequently collaborated with auteur Quentin Tarantino, starring in his films Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.

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Fashion designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo — who competed on Season 17 of Project Runway in 2019 — was killed in a shooting at the "No King" protest in Salt Lake City on June 14. He was 39. According to reports, Ah Loo died at a hospital after he was hit in the stomach when two men shot at a third man, Arturo Gamboa, who allegedly brandished a rifle at demonstrators. Police arrested Gamboa on murder charges for creating the circumstances that led to Ah Loo's death.

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On June 11, Brian Wilson's family took to Instagram to announce that the legendary Beach Boys frontman died. He was 82.

"We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now," they said, adding that they realized they were "sharing our grief with the world."

A little more than a year earlier, in February 2024, they revealed the hitmaker had dementia.

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On Monday, June 9, Sly Stone's family released a statement announcing that he'd died at 82.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone," they said. "After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come."

According to the National Institutes of Health, COPD — or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — is a condition caused by damage to the airways or other parts of the lung that leads to inflammation and other problems that block airflow and make it hard to breathe.

Stone is considered one of the most influential artists of all time in the funk, soul, R&B and rock genres.

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Loretta Swit died of natural causes at her home in New York City on Friday, May 30, her publicist confirm. The M*A*S*H actress was 87.

She won two Emmys for her work as Korean War nurse Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the beloved CBS war dramedy, on which she starred from 1972 to 1983.

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Entrepreneur and Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson died on May 25 — five months after his family shared that he'd been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He was 79.

Robertson starred on the A&E reality series — which centered around his family and their Duck Commander company — from 2012 to 2017.

A reboot of the beloved reality show, Duck Dynasty: The Revival, is due later this year.

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Cheers star George Wendt died at 76 on May 20, his publicist said, noting that he passed peacefully in his sleep at his home sometime "early Tuesday morning."

A cause of death was not immediately clear, though the actor — who scored six consecutive Emmy nominations for his work as barfly Norm on the hit '80s sitcom — was seen looking frail during a November 2024 visit to a dialysis clinic in Los Angeles, where a caretaker notably helped him from a car to a wheelchair as they made their arrival. His wife of nearly five decades, actress Bernadette Birkett, reportedly picked him up after the appointment.

Wendt's nephew is Ted Lasso and Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis.

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Floribama Shore star Kirk Medas died at 33 on Friday, May 2, his friend and costar Aimee Elizabeth Hall announced on social media — just hours after she wrote that she believed the MTV personality would "walk out of this."

"Today we lost a brother, a best friend, and heaven gained the most beautiful angel. We are all trying to process this unimaginable loss. Kirk was the glue that held us all together. He loved each and every one of us so deeply, with a heart bigger than this world," Hall wrote on Instagram after Medas died in a Miami hospital.
Just a day earlier, Hall revealed on social media that Medas was in the midst of a medical crisis: "Our friend Kirk has been in the ICU for over two weeks now, battling a severe case of necrotizing pancreatitis. He's currently on a ventilator, and the situation is incredibly serious," she wrote on Instagram.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, necrotizing pancreatitis occurs when pancreatitis inflammation is so severe that it causes tissue death (necrosis).
Medas' father told TMZ that the reality star ultimately died from liver failure. He was reportedly in a coma at the time.

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Virginia Giuffre died at her farm in Australia on April 24, her family announced the following day. She was 41.
"She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and s** trafficking," they said. "Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and s** trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors. Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure."
"She was heroic and will always be remembered for her incredible courage and loving spirit," they continued, adding that "in the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight."
"We know that she is with the angels," they concluded.
In late March, the mother of three made headlines when she claimed on Instagram that she'd "gone into kidney renal failure" and that doctors had given her just "four days to live" after she was in a car accident involving "a school bus driver."
"I'm ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time, but you know what they say about wishes. S*** in one hand and wish in the other, and I guarantee it's still going to be s*** at the end of the day. Thank you all for being the wonderful people of the world and for being a great part of my life," she captioned a photo of herself looking battered and bruised while resting in a hospital bed. She also noted that "this year has been the worst start to a new year."
In the days that followed, she accused her husband of more than two decades of domestic violence, telling People magazine, "I was able to fight back against Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein who abused and trafficked me. But I was unable to escape the domestic violence in my marriage until recently. After my husband's latest physical assault, I can no longer stay silent."
Her family echoed her allegations and also clarified that her injuries may not have been solely related to the car accident: "Nobody ever said her liver issues and kidney failure were ever from that. We still don't know if it is. … I think that's from years of alleged abuse. You got to think, she's been allegedly being abused for over 10 years. Anyone's body is going to take a toll over a course of time," her brother told People.


Giuffre accused Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of trafficking her to Prince Andrew when she was 17. (The Duke of York has denied the allegations against him, though he settled with Giuffre out of court in 2022.)


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Pope Francis died at 88 on April 21 — a day after he met with Vice President J.D. Vance at the Vatican and then made a major public appearance to bless thousands of people in St. Peter's Square.
According to the Vatican, he died from heart failure after suffering a stroke that put him in a come.
The 266th pope — who suffered from chronic lung disease — had seemed to be in better health recently after spending more than a month between mid-February and late March recovering from bronchitis that developed into double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He became the first pope from the Americas as well as the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere when his papacy began in 2013. He was known for his progressive policies regarding the LGBTQ+ community and women in the Catholic Church.

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On April 16, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner revealed Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death: complications from diabetes mellitus. She died in New York City on February 26 — months after she underwent a liver transplant. She was 39.
Trachtenberg began her career as a child star with her breakout role in Harriet the Spy and later became a millennial pop culture favorite in the 2000s for her performances on the beloved series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, as well as in the cult comedy EuroTrip.

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Actor Nicky Katt died at his home in the Los Angeles area in early April. He was 54.
According to TMZ, the Boston Public star took his own life. Katt's landlord reportedly found his body in his bedroom on April 8, five days after the landlord visited the performer to discuss his delinquent rent. He died by hanging and did not leave a note.
Katt made his television debut in the early '80s. He later appeared in beloved films like Dazed and Confused, Boiler Room, Rules of Engagement, School of Rock and Sin City. He last appeared on a 2018 episode of "Casual."



(If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.)

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Dennis the Menace child star Jay North died on April 6 after "fighting cancer for a number of years," his longtime friend Laurie Jacobson announced on Facebook later that day. He was 73.
"As many of his fans know, he had a difficult journey in Hollywood and after… But he did not let it define his life. He had a heart as big as a mountain [and] loved his friends deeply," wrote Jacobson, who's married to Lassie actor Jon Provost.
"He is out of pain now. His suffering is over. At last he is at peace," she added.

North — who reportedly battled colorectal cancer — portrayed the titular trouble-prone suburban boy on the CBS sitcom "Dennis the Menace" from 1959 to 1963. He later launched the organization A Minor Consideration to advocate for legislation to protect other children working in the entertainment industry.

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Val Kilmer died of pneumonia on April 1, his daughter told The New York Times. He was 65.
The Top Gun and Batman Forever star was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. The actor's two-year battle with the disease took a visible toll on him, fueling public interest in his health throughout the last decade of his life.
He last appeared on screen in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, returning to the role of hotshot fighter pilot Iceman alongside Tom Cruise as Maverick in the sequel to the beloved 1986 film.

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Actor Richard Chamberlain died of complications from a stroke in Waimanalo, Hawaii, on March 29, a friend confirmed to People magazine the following day. The Dr. Kildare, Shōgun and The Thorn Birds star — whom The New York Times dubbed the "king of the miniseries" and the "Robert Redford of the living room" due to his wildly successful career in television in the late '80s — was 90.

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On March 26, Tucker Carlson took to X to release a lengthy statement announcing that his father — journalist, diplomat and lobbyist Richard "Dick" Carlson — had died two days earlier at his home in Boca Grande, Florida, following a six-week illness. He was 84.
"He refused all painkillers to the end and left this world with dignity and clarity, holding the hands of his children with his dogs at his feet," the conservative media personality wrote.
He went on to detail his father's incredible life — from a Boston orphanage to anchoring ABC News and later working for the Reagan administration.
"He had an outlaw spirit tempered by decency," Tucker wrote, later adding, "He was the toughest human being anyone in his family ever knew, and also the kindest and most loyal. RIP."

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On March 21, George Foreman's family took to his Instagram account to announce that the two-time heavyweight boxing champion and grill entrepreneur had died earlier that day. He was 76.
He "peacefully departed … surrounded by loved ones," they wrote. They did not share a cause of death.

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Legendary film icon and two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman died at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in February. He was 95.
An autopsy report stated that the Unforgiven star likely died on February 18 from heart disease and complications from advanced Alzheimer's disease.

His wife, Betsy Arakawa, died days before him after suffering from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a respiratory disease linked to rodent feces. She was 64.
Both bodies — as well as the corpse of one of the couple's three dogs — were found inside the home they shared on February 26. 

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David Hasselhoff's ex-wife and Baywatch costar, Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff, was found dead in her Los Angeles home on March 5. The 61-year-old died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
(If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.)

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On January 16, acclaimed surrealist filmmaker and artist David Lynch, best known for unique works like Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet, died in Los Angeles from cardiac arrest brought on by complications from COPD after years of chain smoking. He was 78.

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Roberta Flack, the award-winning singer known for hits like "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," died on February 24 from cardiac arrest on her way to a Manhattan hospital. She was 88. The vocalist, long-praised for her unique, velvety voice, was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in late 2022. 

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Jeff Baena was an American screenwriter and director known for films like Life After Beth and Joshy. He tragically took his own life at age 47 on January 3. The scribe had been separated from his wife, Aubrey Plaza of Parks and Recreation fame, since September 2024. 
(If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.)