2025 has been a rough year. We’ve lost some pretty big names in the entertainment industry, from the bubbly Diane Keaton to rock legend Ozzy Osbourne. The final month of this year hasn’t been much kinder, as we’ve had to say goodbye to beloved actors like Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and Rob Reiner, too. Here are a few of the Hollywood actors who passed away in December 2025 and will be sorely missed.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
While 75-year-old Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa was known for his intense stare that could sear right into your soul, he could just as easily pull off the role of a laidback surfing grandpa (Johnny Tsunami) or sophisticated baron (Memoirs Of A Geisha) as he could a remorseless villain (Mortal Kombat). In fact, the Japanese American actor had a prolific career in Hollywood before he died from complications of a stroke on December 4, 2025.
Rachael Carpani
Rachael Carpani died at age 45 after a prolonged battle with a chronic illness. Though she was able to make a successful crossover to Hollywood in her late 20s, most fans around the world still fondly remember her as Jodi Fountain from the Australian television drama McLeod’s Daughters.
Béatrice Picard
Marie Thérèse Béatrice Picard, 96, passed peacefully on December 9, 2025, while sleeping. The talented Canadian actress had a career that spanned over six decades and included dubbed voice-over work for major animated characters like Marge Simpson and Disney’s Mamá Coco.
Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia’s life was cut short at age 50 after a series of health complications, including a collapsed lung, pneumonia, and a stroke. The stand-up comedian was a regular on the Laugh Factory while honing his voice acting career. Garcia was the voice behind several beloved animated characters, from Sheen Estevez on Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius to Pip the Mouse on Barnyard.
Jim Ward
Jim Ward had several hit animated series added to his voice acting credits. He gave fans unforgettable characters like Captain Qwark in Ratchet & Clank, Doug Dimmadome on The Fairly OddParents, and, for 90s kids, Stoker from Biker Mice from Mars. The Emmy Award winner sadly passed away this year on December 10th. Ward suffered complications from advanced Alzheimer’s disease that he had been battling for several years.
Stanley Baxter
The Scottish actor, comedian, impressionist and author Stanley Baxter died on December 11th, just months short of reaching a century. Though the actor technically never made it to the glitz and glam of Hollywood, he had a career and legacy that could rival some of the biggest stars in the comedic world. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in British comedy, and that says a lot.
Bob Burns III
Bob Burns III wore many different hats in the entertainment industry. Sure, he had roles in many sci-fi/horror films and TV shows as either monsters or gorillas, but he was also a consultant, producer, archivist and historian for many more movies in the genres. Sadly, Burns passed away on December 12, 2025, at the age of 90.
Peter Greene
Peter Greene was cast as a villain in almost every project he appeared in, including his most memorable roles in Pulp Fiction and The Mask. Unfortunately, the actor passed at age 60 in a gory scene that could have been straight out of one of his movies. Greene was reportedly found lying face down with “blood everywhere” and a note near his body that read, “I’m still a Westie.” The mystery of his death has yet to be solved.
Anthony Geary
General Hospital star Anthony Geary died on December 14th from complications related to surgery he underwent just three days before his passing. The actor earned himself eight Daytime Emmys for his role as Luke Spencer, a hitman who falls in love with and marries one of his victims. Their onscreen wedding in 1981 was the most-watched soap opera episode in American television history, with 30 million viewers, even if their love story was far from perfect.
Rob Reiner
Rob Reiner had his biggest success in Hollywood behind the camera, but he brought the same charm and comedic talent to his occasional acting roles. In addition to his role as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on All in the Family, Reiner also appeared in big hits like Sleepless in Seattle and The Wolf of Wall Street. Reiner had rolled out his final performance before his life was taken on December 14, 2025. His wife, photographer Michele Singer, was also killed in the tragic events.
Gil Gerard
A rare and aggressive form of cancer took the life of actor Gil Gerard on 16 December 2025. Many fans saw the 82-year-old actor as a childhood hero thanks to his portrayal as Buck Rogers in both the 1979 film and its subsequent television adaptation. He had a five-decade career in Hollywood before delivering his final role in 2019.
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