Every Major Actor who Died in November 2025

As a huge movie and TV fan, November 2025 felt particularly sad. We lost so many talented actors from all over the world. I’ve put together a list of the major performers we said goodbye to that month, with a little info about their careers, and when and how old they were when they passed away.

Diane Ladd

Diane Ladd, a celebrated actress known for her roles in films like ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ and ‘Wild at Heart’, passed away on November 3, 2025, at the age of 89. Throughout her impressive seven-decade career, she earned over 200 acting credits and won a Golden Globe for her work on the television show ‘Alice’. News of her death, which occurred at her home in Ojai, California, received widespread media coverage, and her daughter, Laura Dern, publicly shared her grief and confirmed the details.

Pauline Collins

Pauline Collins, the beloved British actress known for her roles in ‘Shirley Valentine’ – for which she won both Olivier and Tony Awards – and the film version that earned her an Oscar nomination, passed away on November 5, 2025, at the age of 85. She first became famous in the series ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ and later starred in shows like ‘Forever Green’ and ‘The Ambassador’. Collins had been living with Parkinson’s disease and died at a care home in Highgate, London. Her death was widely reported by media outlets both in the UK and around the world.

Elina Salo

Elina Salo, a well-known Finnish actress who often worked with director Aki Kaurismäki and famously voiced Little My in the Finnish version of ‘Moomin’, passed away on November 4, 2025, at the age of 89. She had a prolific career in film and television spanning over 50 projects since the 1950s. News of her death was first reported by Finnish media and then shared internationally. Salo was highly respected in her field, receiving multiple Jussi Awards throughout her career.

Elizabeth Franz

Award-winning actress Elizabeth Franz, known for her work on stage, in films like ‘Sabrina’, and on television shows like ‘Gilmore Girls’, passed away on November 4, 2025, at the age of 84. She had been battling cancer, and her husband confirmed she died due to complications from treatment. Franz won a Tony Award in 1999 for her performance in ‘Death of a Salesman’ and later played the same role, Linda Loman, in a television version. News of her death was widely reported by entertainment and general news sources.

Tatsuya Nakadai

Tatsuya Nakadai, a famous Japanese actor known for his roles in classic films like ‘Harakiri,’ ‘Yojimbo,’ ‘Kagemusha,’ and ‘Ran,’ passed away on November 8, 2025, at the age of 92. The announcement of his death was made publicly a few days later, on November 11. A major figure in Japanese cinema after World War II, Nakadai received the Order of Culture, one of Japan’s highest honors. His agency clarified the exact date of his passing after some initial reports caused confusion, and news of his death was widely reported by media outlets both in Japan and around the world.

Homayoun Ershadi

Homayoun Ershadi, the Iranian actor celebrated for his roles in films like ‘Taste of Cherry’ and ‘The Kite Runner,’ passed away on November 11, 2025, at the age of 78. News reports confirmed he died of cancer and was laid to rest at Behesht-e Sakineh cemetery in Karaj. He’ll be remembered for connecting Iranian film with audiences around the world, and though he began his screen career later in life, he made a significant impact.

Sally Kirkland

Sally Kirkland, a Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee known for her role in ‘Anna’, passed away on November 11, 2025, at the age of 84. Throughout her extensive career, she appeared in over 200 films and television shows, including memorable performances in ‘JFK’ and ‘Bruce Almighty’. She died peacefully in California after entering hospice care a few days prior, according to reports from entertainment news sources both in the United States and internationally.

Jonathan Pienaar

Jonathan Pienaar, a South African actor known for his roles in shows like ‘Yizo Yizo’, ‘Isidingo’, and the film ‘Blood Diamond’, passed away on November 10, 2025, at the age of 63. He died at his home, and colleagues throughout South African media have shared tributes. Pienaar had a career spanning four decades in film, television, and theater. Reports suggest he likely died from heart failure.

Kamini Kaushal

Kamini Kaushal, a celebrated Indian actress known for her roles in films like ‘Neecha Nagar’, ‘Kabir Singh’, and ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’, passed away on November 13, 2025, at the age of 98. Her career spanned seven decades, and she received a Filmfare Best Actress award for her performance in ‘Biraj Bahu’. News sources and biographical pages have confirmed her age and date of death. Many tributes highlighted her early work alongside iconic actors Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand.

Rosa Rosal

Rosa Rosal, a beloved actress and humanitarian in the Philippines, passed away on November 15, 2025, at the age of 97. She was famous for her roles in films during the 1950s and 60s, and later became a respected leader with the Red Cross. According to Philippine news reports, she died from complications related to pneumonia, kidney failure, and septic shock. A public wake was held in Taguig after her death.

Hark Bohm

Hark Bohm, a prominent German actor, writer, and director known for his work in the New German Cinema movement and collaborations with filmmakers like Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Fatih Akin, passed away on November 14, 2025, at the age of 86. He was also a film educator and appeared in many of the films he wrote and directed. News of his death was reported by German media outlets, the Berlinale film festival, and industry publications. His final film, ‘Amrum,’ which premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, highlighted his lasting impact on cinema.

Spencer Rocco Lofranco

Actor Spencer Lofranco, who appeared in films like ‘Jamesy Boy’, ‘Unbroken’, and ‘Gotti’, passed away on November 18, 2025, at the age of 33. His family announced his death, which occurred in British Columbia, and local authorities are investigating. Lofranco continued acting in movies and television after gaining recognition for his role in ‘Jamesy Boy’, and news of his passing was reported by both industry publications and major news organizations.

Carl Ciarfalio

Carl Ciarfalio, a stuntman and actor known for his work in films like ‘Casino’ and ‘In the Line of Fire,’ and for playing the Thing in an unreleased version of ‘The Fantastic Four’ (1994), passed away on November 19, 2025, at the age of 72. His wife announced his death, and industry publications highlighted his extensive career in film and television. His death date and location were later documented on reference websites.

Udo Kier

Udo Kier, a celebrated German actor known for his roles in films like ‘Flesh for Frankenstein’ and ‘Blood for Dracula,’ as well as his work with directors Lars von Trier and Gus Van Sant, passed away on November 23, 2025, at the age of 81. He died in Palm Springs after a career of over five decades, appearing in more than 200 films. News of his death brought tributes highlighting his unique and memorable style on screen.

Dharmendra

Dharmendra, a beloved star of Bollywood known for films like ‘Phool Aur Patthar’ and ‘Sholay’, passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. News outlets in India reported he died at his home in Mumbai and shared tributes from prominent national figures. Reports also detailed the memorial services and how the film industry remembered him. He had a remarkable six-decade career in Hindi cinema.

Jack Shepherd

Jack Shepherd, a British actor, playwright, and director who appeared in popular TV shows like ‘Bill Brand’ and ‘Wycliffe’ and films such as ‘Wonderland’ and ‘The Golden Compass’, passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 85. He was a celebrated stage actor, having won an Olivier Award, and had a long and successful career in British theatre, as reported by numerous UK news sources.

Biyouna

Biyouna, a beloved Algerian actress, singer, and comedian known for her roles in films like ‘Délice Paloma’ and the series ‘Nass Mlah City,’ passed away on November 25, 2025, at the age of 73. News reports from French-speaking and North African outlets stated she had been ill for some time and celebrated her successful career in both music and acting. Many tributes emphasized her significant cultural influence throughout North Africa and France.

Lee Soon-jae

Lee Soon-jae, a beloved South Korean actor with a career spanning from the classic film ‘Yongary, Monster from the Deep’ to recent television shows, passed away on November 25, 2025, at the age of 91. News of his death was widely reported, with details about his funeral services being held at Asan Medical Center. He was remembered as a highly respected and influential figure in Korean entertainment for many decades.

Ingrid van Bergen

Ingrid van Bergen, a German actress known for her roles in films like ‘Roses for the Prosecutor’ and ‘Town Without Pity’, passed away on November 28, 2025, at the age of 94. News sources in Germany and Switzerland confirmed she died in Lower Saxony. Throughout her extensive career, she appeared in over a hundred films and television shows, and later became known for appearing on reality TV.

Lise Bourdin

Lise Bourdin, the French actress known for her role in Billy Wilder’s ‘Love in the Afternoon,’ passed away on November 28, 2025, just shy of her 100th birthday. News sources in France and around the world confirmed her death. She was a film actress primarily in the 1950s and later retired from acting.

Okay, so I’ve shared my picks for the month’s standout performers, but I’m curious – who really blew you away? If I left anyone out, please tell me in the comments! And, more importantly, what’s one performance of theirs you think everyone should check out, or revisit if they’ve already seen it?

2025-12-03 06:21