It’s only mid-October, and already the month’s felt heavier than a Monday morning. We’ve lost some of the world’s best actors and storytellers—names that shaped our screens and soundtracks. With the chaos of daily life, it’s easy to miss the news. So here’s who we’ve heartbreakingly said goodbye to in October 2025 (so far).
Jane Goodall
Dr Jane Goodall has died at 91, leaving behind a legacy that started with a toy chimp named Jubilee. At a young age, she wandered into Tanzania’s forests and proved that chimps use tools. From National Geographic fame to cracking jokes on The Simpsons, she never stopped fighting for the planet.
Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton, 79, has died in Los Angeles, leaving behind an amazing filmography. Born Diane Hall in 1946, she ditched sunny California for Broadway’s Hair, charmed Woody Allen, won an Oscar for Annie Hall, and made awkward cool.
John Lodge
John Lodge, the 82-year-old bassist and songwriter who gave The Moody Blues their groove, has died. His family said he “peacefully slipped away surrounded by his loved ones and the sounds of the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.”
John Woodvine
John Woodvine has died at 96, his agent confirming he passed peacefully at home. The An American Werewolf in London star graduated from RADA in 1953 and could make Macbeth sound like a pub brawl. He even won an Olivier in 1987 for being the perfect Falstaff.
Ben Lewis
Ben Lewis, the Australian actor who made the Phantom’s mask his own, has died in Sydney at 46 after battling bowel cancer. Born in London in 1979, he went from Urinetown to Love Never Dies and beyond. Friend Todd Woodbridge called him “a true talent and a dear mate.”
Ron Dean
Ron Dean, 87, the Chicago native whose voice sounded like it had survived every Cubs season, has died. Director Andrew Davis called him “the essence of what Chicago talent represented.” From The Breakfast Club to The Dark Knight, Dean made even the smallest roles feel like the city was talking back.
Jilly Cooper
Jilly Cooper, 88, has died after a sudden fall. Her Rutshire Chronicles sold millions, turned “bonkbuster” into a genre, and gave us Rupert Campbell-Black. Her kids called her “the shining light in all of our lives.”
Ken Jacobs
Ken Jacobs, 92, has died in Manhattan from kidney failure. Born in Brooklyn in 1933, the experimental filmmaker spent six decades turning film into controlled chaos. From Tom, Tom, the Piper’s Son to Star Spangled to Death, he made audiences question whether they were watching art.
Xavier Durringer
Xavier Durringer, 61, has died of a heart attack at his home in southern France. The Conquest director made a film about Sarkozy while Sarkozy was still president, which was a very bold move at the time. From Chok-Dee to Don’t Leave Me, his work mixed grit and humour.
Kimberly Hébert Gregory
Kimberly Hébert Gregory, 52, has died, leaving behind a career built on sharp wit and fearless honesty. Her ex-husband, Chester Gregory, called her “brilliance embodied.” From stealing Vice Principals as Dr. Belinda Brown to scene-stealing in Better Call Saul, she never missed a beat.
Leigh Anne Brodsky
Leigh Anne Brodsky, 67, has died in New York City. The Chicago native helped Nickelodeon turn SpongeBob, Dora, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into billion-dollar playground staples. Inducted into the Licensing Hall of Fame in 2011, she once said her goal was simple—“make kids smile and parents spend.”
Patricia Routledge
Dame Patricia Routledge has died at 96, her agent saying she passed peacefully in her sleep. Born in 1929, she gave Britain Hyacinth Bucket—“It’s pronounced Bouquet!”—and became TV royalty. From Keeping Up Appearances to Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, she made ordinary lives unforgettable and comedy look effortlessly proper.
