Black Celebrities Who Tragically Died in 2025 (So Far)

by

2025 brought the loss of many influential Black figures in entertainment, sports, and culture. These individuals made significant contributions through their work and are remembered fondly by those who knew and admired them. Here’s a brief overview of their lives, achievements, and recent passings.

D’Angelo

The acclaimed neo-soul singer passed away on October 14, 2025, at the age of 51, after fighting pancreatic cancer. He first gained recognition with his albums ‘Brown Sugar’ and ‘Voodoo,’ and later earned renewed praise with ‘Black Messiah.’ Fans and fellow artists remembered him for his unique songwriting and the deeply soulful, rhythmic music he pioneered. Celebrations of his life honored his lasting impact on contemporary R&B.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

The actor passed away in July 2025 at the age of 54 following an accidental drowning during a vacation in Costa Rica. He became famous for his role as Theo Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’ and also appeared in ‘Malcolm & Eddie’ and ‘The Resident’. An autopsy confirmed he died from drowning, and authorities completed their investigation that week. Those who knew him remembered his consistent work ethic and his commitment to meaningful representation on television.

Irv Gotti

The cofounder of Murder Inc. Records passed away in early February 2025 at the age of 54, following a stroke. He was remembered fondly by many artists whose careers he helped build. He’s best known for his work with Ja Rule and Ashanti, which was highly influential in 2000s hip-hop and R&B. Friends and colleagues gathered in New York to honor him and acknowledge his impact on their success.

Sam Moore

I was so sad to hear that Sam Moore, one half of the incredible Sam & Dave, passed away on January 10, 2025, at the age of 89. He had surgery and unfortunately didn’t recover. His voice was just unbelievable – that strong tenor really made songs like ‘Soul Man’ and ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’’ classics. It’s amazing he was still performing and speaking out about things he believed in right up until the end. They’re having a private funeral, but also a public event to celebrate all the amazing music he gave us, which is a really nice way to remember him.

Ananda Lewis

Ananda Lewis, a well-known former host on MTV and BET, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 52, after a public battle with breast cancer. She first became popular hosting BET’s ‘Teen Summit’ and later appeared on ‘Total Request Live’ and had her own show, ‘The Ananda Lewis Show.’ Her family and the networks she worked with remembered her dedication to promoting early cancer detection. After her passing, fans and news outlets created online tributes celebrating her impact on young people and the field of journalism.

Kimberly Hébert Gregory

The actress, known for her work in television and movies, passed away on October 3, 2025, at the age of 52. She was especially remembered for her role as Dr. Belinda Brown in the show ‘Vice Principals,’ and had consistently worked in film and television. Family and friends announced her death, but did not immediately share the cause. Colleagues and those in the theater world shared heartfelt tributes, praising her talent and dedication to acting.

Assata Shakur

I was really saddened to hear about the passing of a true icon in Havana last September. She was 78. The news from Cuba mentioned she’d been dealing with health problems, but honestly, her life was so much bigger than that. For those who don’t know, she was a former member of the Black Liberation Army and her story – including a conviction back in ’77, a daring escape from prison two years later, and then decades spent in exile – always sparked a lot of debate. It’s been fascinating to read all the obituaries lately, revisiting the legal battles and, more importantly, recognizing the huge impact she had on so many activists and organizers over the years.

Gus Williams

Jack Sikma, a former NBA All-Star and member of the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics championship team, passed away on January 15, 2025, at the age of 71. Both his university and former team acknowledged he had been dealing with health issues recently. A standout player at USC, Sikma became one of the NBA’s best guards, and the SuperSonics retired his jersey. Throughout the basketball world, people remembered him for his quickness, strong defense, and ability to lead.

Barry Michael Cooper

The writer and journalist passed away on January 22, 2025, at the age of 66. He was the screenwriter behind films like ‘New Jack City,’ ‘Sugar Hill,’ and ‘Above the Rim,’ and played a key role in bringing stories of New York City streets to the forefront of 1990s movies. He was also known for his journalism and for popularizing the term ‘new jack swing.’ Many in the film and music industries said his work significantly influenced how hip-hop culture was depicted in film.

Please share the names and favorite memories of loved ones in the comments below, so we can all remember and celebrate their lives together.

Read More

2025-10-23 17:19