Actors, Musicians, Directors We Lost This Year
The year has barely started and the film, TV and music worlds have already lost several notable figures in 2025. The film world was shaken by the death of “Blue Velvet” and “Twin Peaks” director David Lynch, with tributes to the visionary filmmaker continuing for weeks.
In music, Garth Hudson was the last remaining member of The Band to die, while Peter, Paul and Mary lost Peter Yarrow. Notable actresses who died in January include Joan Plowright and Leslie Charleson.
In 2024, the entertainment business said goodbye to stars including Shannen Doherty, Bob Newhart, Louis Gossett Jr., Donald Sutherland and James Earl Jones.
Jeff Baena
Image Credit: Getty Images Jeff Baena, a screenwriter and director whose credits include the offbeat comedies “The Little Hours” and “Life After Beth,” died Jan. 3. Baena was the husband of Aubrey Plaza, who starred in his films “The Little Hours,” a 2017 black comedy set in a 14th century convent, and “Life After Beth,” a zombie satire.
Read the full obit here.
The Vivienne, aka James Lee Williams
Image Credit: Getty Images for VH1/Paramount + “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” winner James Lee Williams, better known by their stage name The Vivienne, died Jan. 5. They were 32.
Read the full obit here.
Peter Yarrow
Image Credit: (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) Peter Yarrow, one third of the chart-topping 1960s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, co-writer of the song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” and a prominent social activist, died Jan. 7 at his home in New York City.
Read the full obit here.
Sam Moore
Image Credit: Larry Marano/Getty Images Sam Moore, who had classic hits with the soul duo Sam and Dave in the 1960s, died Jan. 10 in Coral Gables, Florida. He was 89.
Read the full obit here.
Leslie Charleson
Soap opera icon Leslie Charleson, who for decades played Monica Quartermaine on “General Hospital,” died Jan. 12 after a long illness.
Read the full obituary here.
David Lynch
Image Credit: Getty Images Director-writer David Lynch, who radicalized American film with with a dark, surrealistic artistic vision in films like “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive” and network television with “Twin Peaks,” died Jan. 15.
Read the full obit here.
Joan Plowright
Image Credit: Getty Images Joan Plowright, star of “Enchanted April” and the widow of Laurence Oliver, died Jan. 16. She was 95.
Read the full obit here.
Garth Hudson
Image Credit: Getty Images Garth Hudson, whose fantastical approach to the organ and virtuosity on a panoply of other instruments lent a distinctive touch to the roots-rock of the Canadian-American group the Band, died Jan. 21. He was the last surviving member of The Band.
Read the full obit here.
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