A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. That eternal Maya Angelou line seems particularly fitting in 2025, a year that’s already witnessed the loss of cultural titans whose legacy influenced cinema, music, TV, and more.
From screen legends to music icons, these individuals did not merely entertain they shaped generations, ignited movements, and left us with tales that will be recounted for decades. Their lives were replete with pioneering achievements, resilience in the face of adversity, and performances we cannot forget that defined eras.
A glimpse here at eight incredible lives and careers we lost this year each a testament to how much art and culture are embedded in our shared memory.
1. Val Kilmer’s Untouchable Versatility
Val Kilmer is one of the most versatile actors to have ever hit the silver screen. With a diverse array of acting credits that range from being Iceman in Top Gun, Jim Morrison in The Doors, to Doc Holliday in Tombstone, his intensity in every role made it feel lived-in. Undoubtedly, being Batman in Batman Forever further cemented his pop culture status. Kilmer’s final years were filled with physical ailments, but he continued to labor, even embracing the documentary form with Val, which gave the public a very personal insight into his life and craft. His death at 65 from pneumonia ended the book on a career that divided the crowds from the art.
2. Gene Hackman’s Commanding Presence
Two Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman was admired for performances in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Conversation. His skills at playing both hero and villain earned him one of Hollywood’s most honored actors. In February, Hackman and his wife, Betsy, were discovered dead in their Santa Fe residence, with officials pointing to severe cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s as contributing factors. His lifetime spans more than four decades, putting him among cinema’s most lasting talents.
3. Ozzy Osbourne’s Heavy Metal Legacy
Ozzy Osbourne, the self-proclaimed “Prince of Darkness,” helped pioneer heavy metal with Black Sabbath before launching a wildly successful solo career. His hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and his reality TV stint on The Osbournes made him a household name. In July, weeks following a goodbye concert in Birmingham that reunited the original members of Sabbath, Osbourne passed away at age 76 due to a heart attack. His last show, a charity concert known as “Back to the Beginning,” was a proper goodbye for a man who redefined rock music.
4. Terence Stamp’s Charismatic Villainy
Terence Stamp started with an Oscar-nominated first film in Billy Budd and went on to decades of roles to remember, from The Collector to The Limey. But for most, he’ll always be General Zod of Superman and Superman II, giving the deadpan line, “Kneel before Zod! ” Stamp’s life saw a spiritual retreat in India and a comeback to Hollywood in roles that celebrated his magnetic screen presence. His passing at 87 was the passing away of one of Britain’s most recognizable screen actors.
5. Connie Francis’ Voice Across Generations
Connie Francis was the voice of postwar pop, with “Who’s Sorry Now,” “Stupid Cupid,” and “Where the Boys Are” among her hits. She recorded more than 40 million records and emerged as an international star, making records in several languages. Her own life was one of personal tragedy and hardihood, and had included a return to stage success after a brutal beating might have put an end to her career. In January 2025, her 1962 song “Pretty Little Baby” broke out on TikTok, demonstrating the timelessness of her music. She passed in July at age 87, still enchanting fresh generations.
6. Brian Wilson’s Sonic Revolution
As Beach Boys co-founder, Brian Wilson wrote the California dream’s soundtrack. Albums such as Pet Sounds and hits like “God Only Knows” redefined pop with rich harmonies and groundbreaking production. Wilson’s brilliance was balanced by personal turmoil, but his impact on everyone from Paul McCartney to contemporary indie bands cannot be measured. His passing in June at 82 ended one of music’s most revolutionary lives.
7. David Lynch’s Surreal Vision
David Lynch did not only direct movies he constructed worlds. From the nightmarish unreality of Blue Velvet to the genre-defying Twin Peaks, his films shocked and captivated viewers. Famous for combining the ordinary with the surreal, Lynch’s style is evident in the work of countless filmmakers today.
He passed away in January at 78, having spent his last few years largely in obscurity owing to emphysema.His legacy is a witness to the strength of single-minded vision in art.
8. Jerry Adler’s Late-Career Breakthrough
Jerry Adler started backstage on Broadway, but he didn’t discover acting until his 60s, and then he had a few unforgettable performances as Herman “Hesh” Rabkin on The Sopranos and Howard Lyman on The Good Wife. Understated charisma made Adler stand out in any ensemble cast.
Adler died peacefully in his sleep last month at 96, leaving behind a body of work that proved it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. These eight figures represent just a fraction of the talent we’ve lost in 2025, but their stories share a common thread: a relentless commitment to their craft and an enduring impact on culture. Their work continues to inspire, reminding us that while lives end, legacies when built on passion and artistry are timeless.
