Remembering the celebrities who died in 2025: Ozzy Osbourne, Brian Wilson and more

16 December 2025, 13:49

Gold pays tribute to the musicians, actors and other celebrities we have lost over the past 12 months.

As every year comes to an end, we always take a look back at the past 12 months in entertainment.

There's the new songs and albums, great films, anniversaries of past classics, but also the sad loss of some of our favourite stars.

• Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's final show: The 10 most amazing moments
• Watch Elton John play 'God Only Knows' in Brian Wilson tribute at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Listen to the Gold Radio Greats Live Playlist on Global Player, the home of Gold

We mourned them at the time, but as the we wave goodbye to 2025, we're taking an opportunity to pay tribute to these celebrities once more.

So move through this list, remember these tremendous artists and their work, and perhaps pop on one of their records or movies.

1. Wayne Osmond

   

   Musician Wayne Osmond died aged 73 on January 1, 2025.

2. Peter Yarrow

   

   Singer-songwriter Peter Yarrow died age 86 on January 7, 2025.

3. Sam Moore

   

   Singer Sam Moore died aged 89 on January 10, 2025.

4. Linda Nolan

   

   Singer and TV star Linda Nolan died aged 65 on January 15, 2025.

5. David Lynch

   

   Filmmaker David Lynch died aged 78 on January 15, 2025.

6. Marianne Faithfull

   

   Singer Marianne Faithfull died aged 78 on January 30, 2025.

7. Denis Law

   

   Footballer Denis Law died aged 84 on January 17, 2025.

8. Rick Buckler

   

   The Jam's drummer Rick Buckler died aged 69 on February 17, 2025.

9. Roberta Flack

   

   Singer Roberta Flack died aged 88 on February 24, 2025.

10. Henry Kelly

    

    Journalist and Going For Gold presenter Henry Kelly died aged 78 on February 25, 2025.

11. Gene Hackman

    

    Actor Gene Hackman died aged 95 on February 28, 2025.

12. David Johansen

    

    Singer, actor and New York Dolls legend David Johansen died aged 75 on February 28, 2025.

13. Joey Molland

    

    Musician and Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland died aged 77 on March 1, 2025.

14. Stedman Pearson

    

    Five Star singer Stedman Pearson died aged 60 on March 10, 2025.

15. Carl Dean

    

    Carl Dean – Dolly Parton's husband of 59 years – died aged 82 on March 3, 2025.

16. George Foreman

    

    Boxer and businessman George Foreman died aged 76 on March 21, 2025.

17. Larry Tamblyn

    

    The Standells lead singer and keyboard player Larry Tamblyn died aged 82 on March 21, 2025.

18. Mike Berry

    

    Singer and actor Mike Berry died aged 82 on April 11, 2025.

19. Richard Chamberlain

    

    Singer and actor Richard Chamberlain died aged 90 on March 29, 2025.

20. Val Kilmer

    

    Actor Val Kilmer died aged 65 on April 1, 2025.

21. Clem Burke

    

    Blondie drummer Clem Burke died aged 70 on April 6, 2025.

22. Jean Marsh

    

    Actor and writer Jean Marsh died aged 90 on April 13, 2025.

23. George Wendt

    

    Actor and Cheers legend George Wendt died aged 76 on May 20, 2025.

24. Sly Stone

    

    Musician and Family Stone leader Sly Stone died aged 82 on June 9, 2025.

25. Brian Wilson

    

    Singer, songwriter, producer and Beach Boys genius Brian Wilson died aged 82 on June 11, 2025.

26. Bobby Sherman

    

    Singer and actor Bobby Sherman die aged 81 on June 24, 2025.

27. Lou Christie

    

    Singer-songwriter Lou Christie died aged 82 on June 18, 2025.

28. Lalo Schifrin

    

    Composer, conductor and Mission: Impossible writer died aged 93 on June 26, 2025.

29. Connie Francis

    

    Singer Connie Francis died aged 87 on July 16, 2025.

30. Ozzy Osbourne

    

    Singer, songwriter and Black Sabbath icon Ozzy Osbourne died aged 76 on July 22, 2025.

31. Cleo Laine

    

    Singer and actress Cleo Laine died aged 97 on July 24, 2025.

32. Hulk Hogan

    

    Wrestler and TV personality Hulk Hogan died aged 71 on July 24, 2025.

33. Tom Lehrer

    

    Singer-songwriter and satirist Tom Lehrer died aged 97 on July 26, 2025.

34. Terence Stamp

    

    Actor Terence Stamp died aged 87 on August 17, 2025.

35. Rick Davies

    

    Supertramp singer and keyboard player Rick Davies died aged 81 on September 6, 2025.

36. Robert Redford

    

    Actor and director Robert Redford died aged 89 on September 16, 2025.

37. Jane Goodall

    

    Primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall died aged 91 on October 1, 2025.

38. Dickie Bird

    

    Cricketer and umpire Dickie Bird died aged 92 on September 22, 2025.

39. Patricia Routledge

    

    Actress and Keeping Up Appearances legend Patricia Routledge died aged 96 on October 3, 2025.

40. Jilly Cooper

    

    Author Jilly Cooper died aged 88 on October 5, 2025.

41. John Lodge

    

    Moody Blues bass player John Lodge died aged 82 on October 10, 2025.

42. Diane Keaton

    

    Actress Diane Keaton died aged 79 on October 11, 2025.

43. Ace Frehley

    

    Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley died aged 74 on April 27, 1951.

44. Dave Ball

    

    Soft Cell musician and songwriter Dave Ball died aged 66 on October 22, 2025.

45. Prunella Scales

    

    Actress and Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales died aged 93 on October 27 2025.

46. Richard Darbyshire

    

    Living in a Box star Richard Darbyshire died aged 65 on November 10, 2025.

47. Gary 'Mani' Mounfield

    

    The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass playing legend Mani died aged 63 on November 20, 2025.

48. Jimmy Cliff

    

    Reggae icon Jimmy Cliff died aged 81 John November 24, 2025.

49. Patrick Murray

    

    Actor Patrick Murray died aged 68 on September 29, 2025.

50. Diane Ladd

    

    Actress Diane Ladd died aged 89 on November 3, 2025.

51. Raul Malo

    

    The Mavericks singer Raul Malo died aged 60 on December 8, 2025.

52. Pauline Collins

    

    Actress Pauline Collins died aged 85 on November 5, 2025.

53. Rob Reiner

    

    Actor and director Rob Reiner died aged 78 on December 14, 2025.