Hulk Hogan, Diane Keaton, Ozzy Osbourne: Celebrity deaths of 2025 remembered

Hulk Hogan, who was among the celebrity deaths in 2025, found fame as a wrestler before becoming a regular fixture on movie and television screens. Photo / Supplied

In 2025, we farewelled actors, musicians and artists who graced our TV screens and streaming playlists for years.

From Hulk Hogan to Ozzy Osbourne, let’s look back and remember some of the showbiz icons we mourned last year.

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Gene Bollea, died aged 71 this year of a heart attack.

Former WWE wrestling champion Hulk Hogan died after suffering a heart attack in July.

The 71-year-old rose from the wrestling arena to global stardom.

He won back-to-back Royal Rumble titles in the early 90s but transcended the genre to become a regular fixture on movie and television screens.

It was revealed after his death that he had privately been battling leukaemia.

Diane Keaton

The Godfather actor Diane Keaton died on October 11, 2025. Photo / Getty Images

Oscar winner Diane Keaton died aged 79 in California from pneumonia.

She made her screen debut in 1972’s The Godfather as Kay Adams-Corleone before going on to have an illustrious career appearing in classics such as Reds, Marvin’s Room and an Academy Award-winning turn as the titular character in Annie Hall in 1977.

Fellow actors Viola Davis, Jane Fonda and Goldie Hawn led the heartfelt tributes after her death in October.

Malcolm Jamal-Warner

Malcolm Jamal-Warner, who played Theo Huxtable on the Cosby Show, drowned in Costa Rica in July.

The actor was on holiday and had been swimming with his daughter when they became caught in a strong current.

His 8-year-old daughter was rescued but Jamal-Warner did not survive despite efforts from bystanders and surfers to save him.

His mother Pamela Warner wrote a loving tribute on Instagram saying, “he was at peace and did not suffer”.

Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani died of liver failure at his Milan home in September 2025. Photo / Supplied

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani died of liver failure at age 91 in September.

Armani was the president, chief executive and sole shareholder of his company, which he founded in 1975 and was known for designs that gave off an air of “quiet luxury” and “effortless elegance”.

A statement from his employees and family said he worked up until the end of his life.

Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman was discovered dead with his wife Betsy Arakawa at their home in New Mexico. Photo / Warner Bros

Acting great Gene Hackman was found dead with his wife Betsy Arakawa by a maintenance worker at their New Mexico home in February.

The couple were discovered in separate rooms and their pet dog was also found dead.

Police believe Arakawa died first of a respiratory illness followed by Hackman up to a week later of heart disease.

He was suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s so he may not have been aware Arakawa had died.

Roberta Flack

Killing Me Softly singer Roberta Flack died aged 88. Photo / Supplied by Charlotte Ryan

Multiple Grammy-winning singer Robert Flack died peacefully with her family by her side in February.

The 88-year-old was best known for her hits The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly.

Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys performed at her funeral service, as well as Lauryn Hill, who performed a surprise tribute with her former Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean.

Val Kilmer

American actor Val Kilmer starred in such films as Top Gun and Willow.

Batman Forever actor Val Kilmer died in April from pneumonia at age 65, his daughter Mercedes confirmed.

Kilmer had successfully fought throat cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2014, but it impacted his ability to speak.

AI technology was used to help restore his voice for his final acting appearance as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.

Prunella Scales

Actor Prunella Scales (front) starred as Sybil Fawlty in the legendary British comedy Fawlty Towers. Photo / Supplied

British actor Prunella Scales, best known for playing Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, died of vascular dementia at age 93.

Scales received a Bafta nomination in 1991 for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution.

Former co-star John Cleese, who played Scales’ on-screen husband Basil Fawlty, paid a poignant tribute to her, calling her “a really wonderful comic actress”.

Ozzy Osbourne

Former Black Sabbath member and hard rock musician Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Photo / AFP

Hard rock musician Ozzy Osbourne died aged 76 after a cardiac arrest.

“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,” his family said in a statement after his death.

“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”

Robert Redford

Robert Redford in a scene from The Natural.

The Way We Were actor Robert Redford died in his sleep at his Utah residence in September.

A leading man in such smashes as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men, Redford was known for his electric presence on screen.

He was 89 years old.

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