2025 has been a heartbreaking year for television fans. From sitcom stars to soap opera legends, the small screen lost some of its brightest—each leaving behind unforgettable characters, laughter, and tears. Here’s a look at the beloved TV actors who died in 2025 but will be remembered forever.
Richard Chamberlain
Richard Chamberlain, “the king of the miniseries,” has died after complications from a stroke. You probably remember him as Father Ralph in The Thorn Birds or TV’s original Dr. Kildare—roles that made Sunday nights unforgettable.
Joe Don Baker
Joe Don Baker, 89, died on May 7, 2025, from lung cancer. The man who defined “tough guy” swagger left behind six decades of TV grit in The Cleaner, Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke, George Wallace, and In the Heat of the Night.
Valerie Mahaffey
Valerie Mahaffey, 71, has died from cancer. The Emmy winner gave us Eve in Northern Exposure and stole scenes in Seinfeld, Frasier, and The West Wing like it was nothing.
George Wendt
George Wendt, 76, died on May 20, 2025, after a cardiac arrest. Sure, he could handle drama, but let’s be honest—you’ll always picture him yelling “Norm!” on Cheers.
Kelley Mack
Kelley Mack, 33, died on August 2, 2025, after battling cancer. You saw her in The Walking Dead and Chicago Med, where her quiet strength always stood out.
Peter Jason
Peter Jason, 80, died of cancer on February 20, 2025. From Deadwood’s Con Stapleton to Uncle Jim in Baskets, he made every role feel lived-in and unpredictable.
Kimberly Hébert Gregory
Kimberly Hébert Gregory, 52, died on October 3, 2025. Best known for Vice Principals, her sudden passing left fans wondering how someone so full of life could be gone.
Danielle Spencer
Danielle Spencer, 60, died of stomach cancer on August 11, 2025. As Dee Thomas on What’s Happening!!, she perfected the art of being the funniest snitch on TV.
Lynn Hamilton
Lynn Hamilton, 94, died of natural causes on June 19, 2025. As Donna Harris on Sanford and Son, she brought warmth and wit that television still misses.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
In July 2025, fans mourned the loss of the actor forever known as Theo Huxtable from The Cosby Show. While vacationing in Costa Rica, he drowned—leaving behind the charm and wit that made ‘80s TV unforgettable.
Kimberly Hébert Gregory
Kimberly Hébert Gregory, 52, died on October 3, 2025. The Vice Principals star’s cause of death remains unknown, leaving a gap no one else can quite fill.
Kenneth Washington
Kenneth Washington, 88, died on July 18 from cardiopulmonary arrest and prostate cancer. From Hogan’s Heroes to Star Trek to Westworld, he broke barriers—then taught others why it mattered.
Pat Crowley
Patricia “Pat” Crowley, 91, died on September 14 in Los Angeles. A Dynasty and Please Don’t Eat the Daisies legend, her son Jon Hookstratten called her “a light Hollywood never dimmed.”
Paula Shaw
Paula Shaw, 84, died peacefully on September 10, her workshop The Max confirmed. A Hallmark favorite, she proved talent means more when paired with genuine heart.
Polly Holliday
Polly Holliday, 88, died on September 9 in Manhattan, with pneumonia suspected, according to her friend and agent Dennis Aspland. From The Client to Home Improvement, she never stopped making people smile.
Eileen Fulton
Eileen Fulton, 91, died on July 14 after a period of declining health. As Lisa Grimaldi on As the World Turns, she ruled daytime TV for over 50 years with pure charisma and bite.
Renée Victor
Renée Victor, 86, died on May 30 after battling lymphoma. Surrounded by family at her Sherman Oaks home, the Coco and Weeds star left behind warmth that never fades.
Loretta Swit
Loretta Swit, 87, died of natural causes on May 30 in her New York City home. The two-time Emmy winner’s Major Houlihan on MASH* redefined TV brilliance and bite.
Patty Maloney
Patty Maloney, 89, died on March 31 in Florida hospice care after “several” strokes, her brother Dave Myrabo said. A Little House on the Prairie alum, she lived exactly how she wanted.
Michelle Trachtenberg
Michelle Trachtenberg, 39, was found dead in New York City, with police confirming no foul play. From Harriet the Spy to Buffy, she’ll always be everyone’s kid sister.
Lynne Marie Stewart
Lynne Marie Stewart, 78, died on February 21 after doctors found a tumor near her liver and gallbladder, her rep Bette Smith said. “All she cared about was the art.”
Julian McMahon
Julian McMahon, 56, died of cancer in Clearwater, Florida. The former model and son of Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon gave us unforgettable chaos as Cole in Charmed and Dr. Troy in Nip/Tuck.
Francisco San Martin
Iván Hernández, 39, died on January 16. From Days of Our Lives to Jane the Virgin, he proved it’s not how long you’re on screen but how deeply you’re remembered.
Rick Hurst
Rick Hurst, 79, died unexpectedly on June 26. As Deputy Cletus Hogg in The Dukes of Hazzard, he made mischief lovable—and passed that spark to his son Ryan in Sons of Anarchy.
Patricia Routledge
Dame Patricia Routledge, 96, died peacefully after a life of sharp wit and perfect timing. As Hyacinth Bucket—“It’s pronounced Bouquet!”—she ruled Keeping Up Appearances with unmatched comedic grace.
Randy Boone
Randy Boone, 83, died on August 28, his wife Lana confirmed. As Randy Benton on The Virginian, he sang, rode, and made cowboy cool feel effortless.
James Carter Cathcart
James Carter Cathcart, who voiced Gary Oak, Meowth, James, and Professor Oak in Pokémon, died on July 8 after battling throat cancer. He retired from voice acting in 2023.
Tom Troupe
Tom Troupe, 97, died on July 20. With roles in Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, and Cheers, he left a career that defined television’s golden years.
Jerry Adler
Jerry Adler, 96, has died. Before The Sopranos made him Herman “Hesh” Rabkin, he was a Broadway powerhouse, later lighting up The Good Wife and Rescue Me with the same quiet brilliance.
Tristan Rogers
Tristan Rogers, 79, died from lung cancer. The Melbourne-born actor made Robert Scorpio on General Hospital iconic and kept fans hooked across The Young and the Restless, The Bay, and beyond.
Ray Brooks
Ray Brooks, 86, died on August 9 after a short illness. The voice of Mr Benn’s “as if by magic!” also graced both Coronation Street and EastEnders—a true British TV rarity.
Jon Miyahara
Jon Miyahara, 83, died on August 6. Born in Los Angeles in 1941, he played Brett on Superstore—the silent scene-stealer who survived every store disaster with a grin.
Philip Lowrie
Colin Philip Lowrie, the English actor who first brought Dennis Tanner to life on Coronation Street in 1960, appeared until 1968 and returned decades later from 2011 to 2014.
Jay Cramer
Jay Cramer, who died on May 18, 2025, turned adversity into art. Born without legs, the actor and comedian lit up Mr. Mayor, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Floyd Levine
Floyd Levine, an American actor best known for Hill Street Blues and The A-Team, built a career playing characters that always felt just a little too real to be fiction.
Joe Marinelli
Joe Marinelli, 68, has died. With more than 50 screen credits, from The Morning Show to Santa Barbara, he made every guest spot feel like a starring role.
Denis Arndt
Denis Arndt, 86, died on March 25 at his home in Ashland, Oregon. A former helicopter pilot, he hit Broadway at 77 with Heisenberg and earned a Tony nod before winning over TV audiences in L.A. Law and Picket Fences.
