November 2025 was a heartbreaking month for Hollywood, as the industry said goodbye to several actors who helped shape both the film and television industries. While some received the tributes they truly deserved, others slipped quietly from the spotlight with far too little recognition. Here’s a look back at the actors we lost — and why their legacies should never be forgotten. Here is a list of 10 actors who died in November 2025.
Quentin Willson
Jeremy Clarkson called Quentin Willson a “properly funny man,” while James May saluted him as a “great bloke.” The former Top Gear and Fifth Gear host, 68, once joked Jaguars were for “spivs, crooks and bookmakers.” He even braved Strictly Come Dancing in 2004. He died November 8 from lung cancer.
Elizabeth Franz
Born June 18, 1941 in Akron, Elizabeth Franz jumped onto Broadway with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead in 1967 and later scored a Tony for Linda Loman in 1999. You saw her in Gilmore Girls or Grey’s Anatomy. She worked until November 4, 2025 in Woodbury at 84.
The Kessler Twins
Frank Sinatra chilled with the Kessler Twins. Elvis wanted them for Viva Las Vegas, but they said no to boring roles. Born August 20, 1936, the 5’10’’ dancers escaped East Germany at 16, hit Paris’ Lido in 1955, wowed Ed Sullivan, and at 89 in Grünwald, they called it a wrap.
Sally Kirkland
Born October 31, 1941, New York City, Sally Kirkland ditched fashion for acting and crashed Andy Warhol’s Factory. Anna (1987) changed everything. Golden Globe winner. She joked the Oscar nod meant “I could finally afford dinner.” You saw her in JFK. She died November 11, 2025, Palm Springs, aged 84.
Tatsuya Nakadai
Tatsuya Nakadai packed 92 years with fierce roles. Born December 13, 1932, he sold goods until Masaki Kobayashi spotted that stare and cast him in The Human Condition. He trained talent at Tokyo’s Mumeijuku. Over 160 films. Died November 8, 2025.
Diane Ladd
Diane Ladd stole scenes from Nicolas Cage. Oscar nod 1974 for Flo in Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. She died Nov 3 in Ojai at 89. Her daughter, Laura Dern, said she was “the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created.”
Betty Harford
Betty Harford, born 1927, popped up everywhere you turned. She voiced Gumby’s mom, played Natalie Wood’s scheming sister in Inside Daisy Clover, and ruled The Paper Chase as terrifyingly “efficient” Mrs. Nottingham across 41 episodes. She even stirred drama as Mrs. Gunnerson on Dynasty. Harford died Nov. 2 in Santa Barbara at 97.
Homayoun Ershadi
Homayoun Ershadi, born March 26, 1947 in Isfahan, studied architecture in Venice before Canada and Tehran traffic rerouted his life. Abbas Kiarostami tapped his window, offering Taste of Cherry, which won the Palme d’Or in 1997. Hollywood called, he played Baba in The Kite Runner. Khalid Abdalla said he was “a magnificent soul.” Cancer took him at 78.
Spencer Lofranco
Spencer Rocco Lofranco, born October 18, 1992, in Toronto, jumped from Robert Land Academy to Hollywood with Jamesy Boy, Unbroken, and playing John Gotti Jr. at 25. His brother wrote: “You changed people lives… RIP.” He died November 18, 2025, in British Columbia at 33, leaving family and fans stunned.
Jonathan Pienaar
South African actor Jonathan Pienaar, 63, the guy who starred in Blood Diamond, Fried Barry, The Last Days of American Crime, Yizo Yizo, Binnelanders, Generations and more, has died from heart failure. His wife, Rosana, wrote, “Most beautiful man, unique soul…” Actor Spaces called him “a storyteller, a teacher, a legend.” You felt every role he played. South Africa’s hurting today.
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