Most Notable Celebs who Died in October 2025

October 2025 saw the passing of many influential people from the worlds of film, television, music, and science. These artists, actors, musicians, and thinkers – including groundbreaking figures in documentary filmmaking and jazz, a Nobel Prize winner, and cherished TV stars – all left a lasting impact on our culture and understanding of the world. Here’s a look at some of the notable individuals we lost in October and their contributions.

Peter Watkins

Peter Watkins, a groundbreaking British filmmaker known for his innovative docudramas, passed away on October 30, 2025, at the age of 90. He created powerful and visually striking films like ‘Culloden’, ‘The War Game’, ‘Privilege’, ‘Punishment Park’, and ‘Edvard Munch’. Watkins was known for combining acted scenes with the style of news reports, which often challenged traditional broadcasting standards and encouraged viewers to question authority. His film ‘The War Game’ was famously banned by the BBC but later won an Academy Award. Throughout his career, he continued to experiment with long-form, immersive filmmaking, as seen in projects like ‘The Journey’ and ‘La Commune (Paris, 1871)’.

Maria Riva

Maria Riva was a talented actress, television star, and writer, best known for her insightful biography of her mother, Marlene Dietrich, also titled ‘Marlene Dietrich’. She began her career in the early days of American television, receiving Emmy nominations, and later dedicated herself to thoroughly documenting her mother’s life and personality. Riva passed away at her home in New Mexico on October 29, 2025, at the age of 100. Her son, Peter Riva, announced her death.

James Senese

Renowned Neapolitan saxophonist and co-founder of the jazz-rock band Napoli Centrale, Joe Senese, played a significant role in Italian music. He often worked with singer Pino Daniele, blending jazz, rock, soul, and traditional Neapolitan sounds into a unique style that captured the spirit of his region and gained popularity throughout Italy. Senese passed away in Naples at the age of 80, and his contributions were honored with widespread tributes and a public funeral.

Benz Hui Siu-Hung

Hong Kong actor Hui Shiu-hung, a beloved figure in over 160 films and many TVB television series, has died at the age of 76. Often called the “King of Supporting Actors,” he passed away from organ failure related to cancer, according to news reports. His family announced they will donate all memorial contributions to the Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Héctor Noguera

Héctor Noguera, a major figure in Chilean acting, worked for almost 70 years in theater, film, and television. He received Chile’s highest honor for performing arts and was a familiar face on TV, appearing in popular shows like ‘Romané’ and ‘Machos’. Noguera passed away at the age of 88, and his death prompted widespread public mourning and recognition of his significant contribution to Chilean culture.

Prunella Scales

Best remembered for playing Sybil Fawlty in the classic comedy ‘Fawlty Towers’, actress Prunella Scales had a remarkable career spanning seven decades. She appeared in numerous television shows like ‘Marriage Lines’ and ‘Mapp & Lucia’, and films including ‘Howards End’. Scales passed away peacefully in London at the age of 93, having lived with dementia in recent years, her family announced.

Jack DeJohnette

I was always so impressed by Jack DeJohnette – what a phenomenal drummer! He could play anything, and I remember being blown away by his work on Miles Davis’s ‘Bitches Brew’. He wasn’t just a sideman, though; he led incredible groups and spent years building something truly special with Keith Jarrett. A two-time Grammy winner and a true Jazz Master, he kept recording and collaborating with musicians of all ages right up until the end. It’s so sad to hear he passed away in New York at 83, but his music will live on forever.

Tony Adams

Born in Wales, actor Paul Adams was a familiar face on British television, best known for playing Adam Chance in the long-running soap opera ‘Crossroads’. He also appeared in shows like ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Doctor Who’. Adams passed away at the age of 84, and many people who worked with him and his fans have been sharing their memories.

Björn Andrésen

Swedish actor Björn Andrésen became internationally known for his role as Tadzio in Luchino Visconti’s film ‘Death in Venice,’ and he continued to act in movies like ‘Midsommar.’ His life was the subject of the 2021 documentary ‘The Most Beautiful Boy in the World.’ Andrésen, who died at age 70, had a career that included both European films and television work.

Mauro Di Francesco

Carlo Di Francesco, a beloved comedic actor from Italy, was famous for his roles in popular 1980s films like ‘Sapore di mare’, ‘I ragazzi della 3ª C’, and ‘Vado a vivere da solo’. He recently passed away at the age of 74, and Italian news outlets have remembered him as a defining figure in the era’s lighthearted and relatable coming-of-age stories.

Nabil Shaban

Shaban, a Jordanian-British actor and advocate for disability rights, was a co-founder of Graeae Theatre Company, a pioneering inclusive theater group in the UK. He was well-known to television viewers as Sil in ‘Doctor Who,’ a character he continued to play in various audio and video projects. He passed away at the age of 72, and those paying tribute have emphasized both his dedication to activism and his innovative work on stage.

Satish Shah

Shah, a popular Indian actor known for his comedic timing in shows like ‘Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi’ and ‘Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’, and in many Hindi films, has died in Mumbai at the age of 74. He reportedly passed away from a sudden heart attack, and his death has been met with widespread tributes from the film and television industry.

June Lockhart

June Lockhart, a beloved actress known for her roles as a TV mom on shows like ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost in Space’, passed away on October 23, 2025, at the age of 100. She began her career during Hollywood’s Golden Age, even winning a Tony Award early on, and continued acting in movies, television, and theater for an impressive eight decades.

Dionysis Savvopoulos

Savvopoulos, a hugely popular Greek singer and songwriter known for blending poetic lyrics with understated political commentary, became famous in the 1960s and remained an important figure in Greek culture. He passed away at the age of 80 and received a state funeral in Athens, with his music continuing to inspire Greek artists today.

Govardhan Asrani

Govardhan Asrani, a well-known Indian actor and director who appeared in numerous films – including a memorable role as the jailer in ‘Sholay’ – has died at the age of 84. Indian media and his family reported that he passed away in Mumbai after a short illness. Throughout his career, he worked in both Hindi and Gujarati cinema, and also directed films.

Martine Brochard

This French-Italian actress had a diverse career in Italian film and television starting in the late 1960s. She appeared in many different kinds of movies, from thrillers to comedies, and later became a fiction writer. She passed away on October 18, 2025, and Italian media highlighted both her extensive work on screen and her creative projects later in life.

Sam Rivers

Limp Bizkit bassist and founding member Wes Rivers died at the age of 48. He was a key part of creating the band’s signature sound during their popular run in the late 1990s and early 2000s, contributing to successful albums and worldwide tours. The band announced his death, and fans and media outlets have been sharing tributes. Rivers’ passing occurred as Limp Bizkit was planning more concerts.

Yang Chen-Ning

Chen Ning Yang, a Chinese-American physicist, won the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics with Tsung-Dao Lee for their work showing that nature doesn’t always behave the same way when viewed in a mirror – a concept called parity violation. He also helped create the Yang-Mills theory, which is a key part of our current understanding of how the universe works. Yang passed away in Beijing at the age of 103, and his contributions to physics were widely celebrated by universities, scientific organizations, and the public throughout China.

Ace Frehley

Ace Frehley, a founding member and lead guitarist of KISS, was a key force in creating the band’s iconic hard rock sound and stage image on classic albums like ‘KISS’, ‘Destroyer’, and ‘Love Gun’. He also enjoyed success as a solo artist with the song ‘New York Groove’ and later participated in KISS reunion tours, including the ‘Psycho Circus’ period. Known for his unique guitar tone and memorable solos, Frehley influenced countless rock guitarists and helped establish the energetic style of arena rock. He passed away on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74.

Samantha Eggar

I was so sad to hear about Samantha Eggar’s passing. She was a really talented British actress, and I remember being amazed by her performance in ‘The Collector’ – she even won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for it! She had a long and successful career, appearing in everything from family films like ‘Doctor Dolittle’ to some genuinely scary horror movies like ‘The Brood’. Later in life, she did a lot of voiceover work and performed on stage too. She passed away on October 15th, 2025, at the age of 86, but she’ll definitely be remembered for all her great work.

Pankaj Dheer

Pankaj Dheer, a popular Indian actor, was best known for his role as Karna in the classic TV series ‘Mahabharat’. Throughout his career, he acted in both Hindi movies and television shows, including ‘Saugandh’ and ‘Sadak’. Later in life, he established an acting school. He continued to appear in many mythological and historical TV series during the 1990s and 2000s, and sadly passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 66.

D’Angelo

D’Angelo, whose real name was Michael Eugene Archer, was a Grammy Award-winning artist known for his soulful music. He was a singer, songwriter, and played many instruments, and his albums like ‘Brown Sugar,’ ‘Voodoo,’ and ‘Black Messiah’ were key to the development of the neo-soul genre. He worked with artists such as Questlove and Lauryn Hill, and inspired countless R&B and hip-hop musicians. He passed away on October 14, 2025, at the age of 51, after a fight with cancer, according to his family and reports from the media.

Penelope Milford

Penelope Milford was an actress who received an Academy Award nomination for her role in ‘Coming Home’ and also appeared in films like ‘Heathers’ and ‘The Last Word’. She began her career on Broadway, creating original roles, and continued performing on stage throughout the 1980s and 90s. Milford passed away on October 14, 2025, at the age of 77, in Saugerties, New York.

Nasser Taghvai

As a film fan, I was really saddened to hear about the passing of Nasser Taghvai. He was a huge name in Iranian cinema, especially known for bringing ‘My Uncle Napoleon’ to the small screen – that adaptation was fantastic! He also directed films like ‘Captain Khorshid,’ and a lot of his work beautifully captured the culture of southern Iran. He had a knack for taking stories from books and making them feel incredibly real on film. He passed away on October 14th, 2025, at the age of 84.

Drew Struzan

Drew Struzan, a celebrated artist famous for his movie posters, created the iconic images for films like ‘Star Wars’, ‘Indiana Jones’, ‘Back to the Future’, and ‘Blade Runner’. A graduate of ArtCenter, he designed over 150 film posters and received a lifetime achievement award from the Society of Illustrators. He passed away on October 13, 2025, at the age of 78.

Tony Caunter

Tony Caunter, a British actor who passed away on October 13, 2025, at the age of 88, was widely recognized for his role as Roy Evans in the popular soap opera ‘EastEnders’. He began his television career in the 1960s with appearances in shows like ‘Juliet Bravo’ and ‘Queenie’s Castle’, and also had roles in several ‘Doctor Who’ stories. Throughout his long career, he worked consistently in both television and theatre.

Yvonne Brewster

Yvonne Brewster, who died on October 12, 2025, at the age of 87, was a pioneering theatre director. She co-founded Talawa Theatre Company, the UK’s most prominent Black-led theatre, and previously established Jamaica’s first professional theatre company, The Barn. Brewster directed works by playwrights like Derek Walcott and made history as the first Black woman to direct a production at the UK’s National Theatre.

John Lodge

John Lodge, the singer and bassist for the legendary band The Moody Blues, passed away on October 10, 2025, at the age of 82. He was a key part of their most famous albums, such as ‘Days of Future Passed’, ‘In Search of the Lost Chord’, and ‘Seventh Sojourn’. Lodge co-wrote and performed popular songs like ‘Ride My See-Saw’ and ‘Isn’t Life Strange’, and continued to perform live for many years.

Carlos Barbosa

Carlos Barbosa, a veteran Colombian actor known for his work in theater and telenovelas – including the series ‘La Saga, Negocio de Familia’ – passed away on October 10, 2025, at the age of 81 after a period of illness. News of his death has been met with tributes from across the Colombian television industry.

Paolo Bonacelli

Paolo Bonacelli, an Italian actor who appeared in controversial films like ‘Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom’ and ‘Midnight Express’, passed away on October 8, 2025, at the age of 88. He also had roles in well-known international productions such as ‘Mission: Impossible III’ and ‘The American’. A graduate of Rome’s National Academy of Dramatic Arts, Bonacelli enjoyed a six-decade career across theatre, film, and television.

Zdravko Šotra

Zdravko Šotra, a well-known Serbian film and television director, passed away on October 8, 2025, at the age of 92. He directed many popular films, including ‘Zona Zamfirova’, and created historical dramas and series that were very influential throughout the former Yugoslavia. He had been working in film since the 1950s and was also known for adapting literary works for the screen.

Halid Bešlić

Halid Bešlić, a beloved singer of Bosnian folk music, passed away on October 7, 2025, at the age of 71. Throughout his 40-year career, his songs became incredibly popular throughout the region, and his death was met with widespread mourning, including a large public farewell in Sarajevo. He had been hospitalized briefly before his passing.

Yen Cheng-kuo

Yen Cheng-kuo, a Taiwanese actor, first became famous as a child in the 1980s through ‘The Kung-Fu Kids’ movies. He continued acting in television and on stage. Sadly, he passed away after a fight with lung cancer, his family confirmed his death on October 7, 2025, at the age of 50.

Diane Keaton

Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, known for her roles in films like ‘Annie Hall’, ‘The Godfather’ trilogy, ‘Reds’, ‘Marvin’s Room’, and ‘Something’s Gotta Give’, passed away on October 11, 2025, at the age of 79. According to family and media reports, the cause of death was pneumonia, and she was cremated in mid-October.

Ron Dean

Ron Dean, a familiar face in films like ‘Risky Business’, ‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘The Fugitive’, and ‘The Dark Knight’, passed away on October 5, 2025, at the age of 87. He often played police officers or other figures of authority and appeared in almost 100 movies and TV shows throughout his career. He worked often with director Andrew Davis.

Ken Jacobs

Ken Jacobs, a major innovator in American experimental film, passed away on October 5, 2025, at the age of 92. He was famous for creatively reworking existing film footage and for his pioneering work with 3D and structural filmmaking, as seen in films like ‘Blonde Cobra’ and ‘Tom, Tom, the Piper’s Son.’ Jacobs also helped establish the Millennium Film Workshop and inspired many filmmakers who followed in his footsteps.

Lotte Ledl

Lotte Ledl was a celebrated Austrian actress who appeared in numerous stage and television productions over many years. She was well-known for her work at the Burgtheater and in popular series like ‘Derrick’ and ‘Schlosshotel Orth’. In her eighties, she received the prestigious title of Kammerschauspielerin. Ledl passed away on October 5, 2025, at the age of 95.

Xavier Durringer

Xavier Durringer, a French director and playwright known for films like ‘La Conquête’ – which depicted Nicolas Sarkozy’s political ascent – has died. According to reports from AFP, he passed away from a heart attack at his home in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on October 4, 2025. He was 61 years old.

Sandhya Shantaram

Sandhya Shantaram, a celebrated dancer and actress from the mid-20th century, passed away in Mumbai on October 4, 2025, at the age of 94. She was known for her roles in classic Indian films directed by V. Shantaram, including ‘Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje’, ‘Do Aankhen Barah Haath’, and the important Marathi film ‘Pinjra’. Many tributes have recognized her as an icon of Indian cinema.

Remo Girone

Remo Girone, a popular Italian actor best known for his role as Tano Cariddi in the TV series ‘La Piovra’, has died. He also appeared in Hollywood films like ‘Live by Night’ and ‘Ford v Ferrari’. According to Italian news reports, he passed away in Monte Carlo after a period of illness. Girone was 76 years old and died on October 3, 2025.

Kimberly Hébert Gregory

Kimberly Hébert Gregory, known for her roles in shows like HBO’s ‘Vice Principals’, ‘Kevin (Probably) Saves the World’, ‘Better Call Saul’, and ‘Genius: Aretha’, has passed away at the age of 52. She died on October 3, 2025, and a memorial service was held in her hometown of Houston. Family and colleagues announced her death.

Patricia Routledge

Dame Patricia Routledge, a celebrated actress of stage and screen, was famous for her roles as Hyacinth Bucket in ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ and Hetty Wainthropp in ‘Hetty Wainthropp Investigates’. Honored with both Tony and Olivier Awards, she received a Damehood in 2017 for her contributions to theatre and charitable work. She passed away on October 3, 2025, at the age of 96.

Ed Williams

Ed Williams, known for his dry wit as lab expert Ted Olson in ‘Police Squad!’ and all three ‘Naked Gun’ movies, also had a role in ‘Father of the Bride’. He spent decades teaching broadcasting before becoming a full-time actor. Williams passed away on October 2, 2025, at the age of 98.

Javier Manrique

Javier Manrique, a Spanish actor originally from Peru, passed away on October 2, 2025, at the age of 56. He appeared in several popular films and television shows, including work with director Álex de la Iglesia on movies like ‘El día de la bestia’ and ‘Las brujas de Zugarramurdi,’ as well as the series ‘Camera Café’ and ‘A las once en casa.’ Spain’s film academy announced his death.

Judit Elek

Judit Elek, a celebrated Hungarian film director and screenwriter, passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 87. She was known for her distinctive style and important contributions to Central European cinema, with films like ‘Mária-nap’ (which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival) and ‘Memories of a River’ becoming particularly well-regarded. News of her death was widely reported by film festivals and the press.

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2025-11-02 20:20