From filmmakers to artists, Hollywood lost several stars in 2025.
News broke on January 4 that Aubrey Plaza’s husband, Jeff Baena, died one day earlier at the age of 47. Per medical examiner records viewed by Us Weekly, Baena died by suicide.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” Plaza’s rep said in a statement to Us on January 6 on behalf of the actress and her family. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Days after Baena’s death, manager Simon Jones shared that RuPaul’s Drag Race star James Lee Williams — better known as The Vivienne — died at age 32.
“James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person,” the publicist shared in an Instagram statement on January 5. “Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career. We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.”
The next day, authorities confirmed that the beloved drag queen’s death had “no suspicious circumstances.”
Scroll down to remember all the stars who died in 2025:
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ShaVi Lewis
Lewis’ family confirmed the Project Runway alum’s death at age 38 on February 25. “My fabulous, talented nephew, Sha’Vi Lewis, is gone from this place,” his aunt wrote via Facebook. “I know he is in a much better place. I can just imagine the welcome he received when he got to those pearly gates, with so many loved ones who had gone before.”
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Al Trautwig
Legendary sports broadcaster Trautwig, best known for covering 16 Olympic Games and as the voice of the New York Rangers and New York Knicks, died at 68.
His death was confirmed on February 24 by his son, Alex Trautwig, who told the New York Times his father died of cancer complications.
Credit: Shahar Azran/WireImage
Roberta Flack
News broke on February 24 that the Grammy-winning singer, whose work included “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” died at the age of 88.
While a cause of death was not immediately available, a representative previously announced in November 2022 that Flack had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and could no longer sing.
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Lynne Marie Stewart
News broke on February 21 that Stewart, best known as Miss Yvonne on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, died at age 78.
“My heart is breaking upon hearing the news of my dear friend @lynnestewart78’s passing,” Cassandra Peterson, best known for playing Elvira and who costarred with Stewart in her 1988 film Mistress of the Dark, wrote via Instagram. “One of the kindest, sweetest, funniest women who ever lived. The iconic Miss Yvonne of Pee-wee’s Playhouse: She’ll always be ‘the most beautiful woman in Puppetland.’ 💔.”
Credit: Courtesy of Gizem Özmen/Instagram
Gizem Ozmen
The social media star reportedly died in February when her car crashed into a stationary tanker on a Turkish street. Özmen was 24.
Credit: NBC/courtesy Everett Collection
Alice Hirson
The actress best known for her roles on the soap opera Dallas and as Ellen DeGeneres’ mom on the sitcom, Ellen, died at age 95 on February 14. Her son, David Hirson, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter on February 20, revealing that she died of natural causes at Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, where she had resided for around a year.
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Marshall Rose
News broke on February 17 that Candice Bergen’s husband died at age 88 two days prior. According to his New York Times obituary, Rose “died peacefully at home in the early hours of February 15th, surrounded by loved ones.” He died as a result of “complications with Parkinson's disease,” and is survived by Bergen, three children and six grandchildren.
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Paquita la del Barrio
The Mexican musical legend died at age 77 on February 17. “With deep pain and sadness, we confirm the sensitive passing of our beloved ‘Paquita la del Barrio’ at her home in Veracruz,” read a statement, translated from Spanish, shared via her social media accounts. “She was a unique and unrepeatable artist who will leave an indelible mark in the hearts of all of us who knew her and enjoyed her music.” Her cause of death was not confirmed at the time.
