EXCLUSIVE: Farewell, and Thanks for the Memories — Radar Rounds Up Legends We Loved and Lost in 2025… From Gene Hackman to Pope Francis and Ozzy

Many famous folks in showbiz, politics and even religion took their final bows this year, but the effect they had on our lives will not be forgotten. The impact from their performances, courageous stands and goodwill continues to inspire. RadarOnline.com pays tribute to these figures who, while gone, are not forgotten.

Pope Francis

The movie Conclave was the talk of Hollywood after its October 2024 release – and just six months later, the world would witness real-life cardinals gather at the Vatican to elect a replacement for the just-deceased Pope Francis.

Head of the worldwide Catholic Church since 2013, the 88-year-old pontiff was felled by a stroke, followed by a coma and heart failure on April 21.

Among the issues he spoke about during his tenure were climate change and the mistreatment of migrants.

But Francis seemingly didn't take any grudges to the grave.

"To forgive is a great act of humanity," he said in his final formal interview, noting: "We have to distinguish – It is one thing to forgive, another thing to forget. One cannot forget."

Hulk Hogan

Towering professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, who survived as much drama out of the ring as in – including a shocking leaked sex tape and uttering racist slurs – took his final breath on July 24.

His death was ruled a heart attack, but loved ones claimed the 71-year-old WWE legend's passing could have been avoided if a doctor hadn't allegedly severed his phrenic nerve, which controls breathing, during a prior surgery.

In October, wife No. 3 Sky Daily, 47, and son Nick Hogan, 35, reportedly hinted about a possible malpractice lawsuit.

Born Terry Bollea, the Hulk was estranged from daughter Brooke Hogan, 37.

Still, the devastated beauty mourned: "When he left this Earth, it felt like part of my spirit left with him. I know he's at peace now... He used to speak about this moment with such wonder and hope.

"Like meeting God was the greatest championship he'd ever have."

Richard Chamberlain

TV hunk Richard Chamberlain spent most of his life trying to keep a career-killing secret under wraps – the drop-dead gorgeous star was gay.

Back in 1969, his role as the wholesome Dr. Kildare on the NBC series raised eyebrows by never marrying or fathering kids.

It wasn't until his 2003 memoir, Shattered Love, that he finally came out of the closet at age 69.

"When I grew up, being a sissy or anything like that was verboten," he said. "I disliked myself intensely... and became 'Perfect Richard, All-American Boy' as a place to hide."

Behind closed doors, he maintained a 33-year relationship with fellow actor Martin Rabbett that ended in 2010.

Still, they stayed close, and Rabbett was living with 90-year-old Chamberlain when he died of stroke complications on March 29 in Hawaii.

"I would've been a happier person to be out and free," Chamberlain admitted. "But I was a working actor, and that's the main thing I wanted out of this lifetime."

Bobby Sherman

Former '60s and '70s teen heartthrob Bobby Sherman once kept an explosive secret from his adoring female fans – during a 1972 press conference, the Little Woman and Easy Come, Easy Go singer dropped the bombshell that he'd quietly tied the knot with junior college student Patti Carnel more than a year earlier – and she'd just given birth to their first child, Christopher, now 52.

His excuse for not being completely open and honest?

The clean-cut, blue-eyed idol, who died of cancer at age 81 at his Los Angeles home on June 24, said his wife was prone to miscarriage and they "decided the public pressure would be too much if the marriage was brought out."

Carnel reportedly spoke up about receiving angry letters from Sherman's rabid admirers after the two began dating when she was just a teen.

The couple would welcome another son, Tyler, before divorcing in 1979.

Gene Hackman

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman's death went from mysterious to just plain heartbreaking.

On February 26, the decaying bodies of the Alzheimer's-stricken Oscar winner, 95, and his classical pianist wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found inside their $4 million New Mexico home.

Authorities later determined that she'd died first, on February 12 – from a respiratory disease caused by the rodent-borne hantavirus – and he was left wandering the house confused and alone until his own passing around February 18.

The deceased French Connection star, who married Arakawa in 1991, had no food in his stomach, but severe heart disease was determined as his cause of death.

"I have the normal fear of passing away – you know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age," Hackman said in 2004. "I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don't have a lot of fears."

Diane Keaton

Annie Hall star Diane Keaton played wives in iconic flicks like The Godfather, Father of the Bride and The First Wives Club, but the self-described late bloomer never became a real-life married lady up through her passing at age 79 in California.

"I think that the reason I didn't get married was because I would have to compromise too much," Diane, who died Oct. 11, reportedly of pneumonia, once said. "I didn't want to have that."

Still, the Academy Award winner enjoyed a love life with beaus including fellow Oscar-winning costars Woody Allen, Al Pacino and Warren Beatty.

While never wed, she became a single mom in her 50s, adopting daughter Dexter, 29, and son Duke, 25.

Diane later admitted: "That's the single greatest thing I've ever done... is adopt my two children. Your life has purpose. Otherwise, what is it?"

Ozzy Osbourne

The only thing bat-biting rocker Ozzy Osbourne said he regretted during his wild life was cheating during his 43-year marriage to yapping talk show wife Sharon Osbourne.

The Prince of Darkness – who was open about his struggles with drugs and booze – notched his final arrest on July 22: "People say to me, if you could do it all again, knowing what you know now, would you change anything? I'm like, 'f--k no. If I'd been clean and sober, I wouldn't be Ozzy.'"

Weeks before his passing at age 76, the Parkinson's disease-battling star reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates for a farewell concert. Ozzy's stage partners, including "Geezer" Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, reportedly were also present as Sharon, 73, laid him to rest on July 30 in England.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Sitcom star Malcolm-Jamal Warner died, refusing to let his body of work be marred by the disgusting sex scandals of Bill Cosby, who played his dad on The Cosby Show.

Regardless of how some people feel about the show now, I'm still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on, first and foremost, Black culture – but also American culture," he said in 2023.

Just two years earlier, jailed Cosby, now 88, had his notorious 2018 sexual assault conviction overturned on a technicality.

Still, dozens of gals have accused the once-beloved TV dad of sexual misconduct, which he denies.

According to Cosby's rep, Warner: "All the time before his onscreen son's shocking death on July 20, when the 54-year-old drowned while on a family vacation in Costa Rica."

Ace Frehley

Guitar hero Ace Frehley wasn't expecting the end when he died at age 74 on Oct. 16.

The Kiss band cofounder's social media account revealed he'd experienced a "minor fall" but insisted: "He is fine."

The posts said Frehley was only canceling a September 26 performance "against his wishes" because doctors prohibited him from traveling.

The announcement added: "Ace looks forward to continuing on his tour and finishing work on his next album, Origins Vol. 4."

Then, on October 6, came shocking news that the rocker had "made the difficult decision" to cancel the rest of his 2025 concerts.

Tragically, he never got the chance to reschedule, with his death coming 10 days later in Morristown, New Jersey.

"Our hearts are broken."

"Ace has passed on," said bandmate Gene Simmons, 76 – who famously feuded with the rocker, resulting in Frehley leaving the band for over a decade. "No one can touch Ace's legacy."

Val Kilmer

Tombstone tough guy Val Kilmer seemed to rebound from a throat cancer diagnosis in the mid-2010s, but his voice didn't.

During his final years, Kilmer relied on loved ones and artificial intelligence to narrate his projects.

"As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence," the star noted.

On April 1, his struggle to communicate ended when Kilmer died of pneumonia in L.A. at age 65.

Though he left behind a legacy of box office hits, including Top Gun and Batman Forever, early in his career, he gained a reputation for being difficult.

"I was a dumb actor. I complained quite a bit when I was younger," Kilmer later admitted. "I didn't appreciate the business that afforded me the lifestyle that I very quickly enjoyed."

Robert Redford

Handsome leading man Robert Redford appeared to live a charmed life.

But the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid actor's 89 years were riddled with personal tragedy – including being predeceased by two sons.

Redford, who passed away in Utah on September 16, lost his firstborn, Scott, to sudden infant death syndrome in 1959 when the boy was just 10 weeks old.

Six decades later, he relived the pain of burying a child when his look-alike, James, succumbed to bile-duct cancer at 58 in 2020 after undergoing two liver transplants.

"People think it's been easy for me. That's hard to live with. It's so untrue," the actor said. "There have been so many hits on our family that no one knows about."

The Oscar winner is survived by wife Sibylle Szaggars, daughters Shauna and Amy Redford, as well as ex-wife Lola Van Wagenen, mother of all four of his children.

George Wendt

Everybody didn't know George Wendt's name – but they sure knew his beer-loving Cheers character, Norm Peterson. Whether he was in the stands at a Chicago White Sox game or dining with pals at a New York restaurant, fans would inevitably yell to him: "Norm!" Wendt would say, "it's a good life," being recognized as the sitcom barfly he played for 11 seasons.

"People don't know me, but they like me," he said.

Those lucky enough to become acquainted with the actor thought he was great, too – as evidenced by the outpouring of tributes from celebrities when news broke of his passing at age 76 from cardiac arrest on May 20.

"George Wendt was the sweetest, kindest man I ever met," shared former costar Rhea Perlman, 77. "It was impossible not to like him."

Brian Wilson

Musical genius Brian Wilson crafted upbeat, iconic tunes for the Beach Boys – but the tormented singer grappled with mental illness and addiction.

"I took a lot of amphetamines and a lot of downers. The cocaine and marijuana and all the rest of the stuff I took really messed with my brain. I couldn't tell reality from fantasy," recalled Wilson, who was responsible for hits such as Surfin' U.S.A., California Girls and Good Vibrations.

Sharing his thoughts in 2006 after being sober for 20 years, he revealed: "If there is one thing I could go back in my life and change, I wouldn't have taken drugs."

Wilson, who died at 82 of respiratory arrest on June 11, continued to struggle with depression and auditory hallucinations. In 2024, he was placed under a conservatorship amid a losing battle with dementia.

But that wasn't the legacy the tortured artist wished to leave behind.

Brian said in 2017: "I want to be remembered as a great songwriter."

Brandon Blackstock

During his final days, Brandon Blackstock – former talent manager of songbird Kelly Clarkson, his second wife – found strength in faith.

"He always loved the Lord, but six months ago he sought the Lord," his daughter from his first marriage, Savannah Blackstock Lee, 23, wrote on Instagram shortly after his August 7 death. "He was hungry for the word."

The 48-year-old, who remained close to stepmom Reba McEntire after she divorced his dad in 2015, was in hospice care at the time of his death from melanoma.

Brandon had been diagnosed with the skin cancer in 2022 – the same year his messy divorce from Clarkson and bitter fight over money and custody of kids River, 11, and Remy, 9, were finalized.

June Lockhart

June Lockhart's big regret until the day she died was not meeting rock star David Bowie.

Turns out the beloved TV mom on iconic hits Lassie and Lost in Space was a huge music fan before her death from natural causes on October 23 in Santa Monica – at age 100.

"I love rock 'n' roll and going to the concerts," Lockhart once confessed.

That's not the only surprising off-screen passion the Petticoat Junction star was hiding during her century on Earth.

"I have driven Army tanks and flown in hot-air balloons," she boasted of her secret adventurous side. "And I go plane-gliding – the ones with no motors. I do a lot of things that don't go with my image."

Anne Burrell

Rumors of suicide flew when fun-loving Food Network star Anne Burrell was found dead in the shower of her Brooklyn home on June 17.

A medical examiner confirmed the whispered buzz, ruling the 55-year-old had downed a lethal mix of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine and amphetamine.

"She could put on a good show," says an insider. "But her closest friends knew she was consumed by personal demons."

Burrell had hosted Worst Cooks in America for 27 seasons but hinted she was booted from season 28.

A source insisted the celebrity chef was battling a career crisis.

In March, she said: "I can cook, yes. I can do TV. But also, what else? I've got more to do in my life, I feel like."

Burrell began acting classes and performed an improv show the night before her suicide, which left "everyone in shock and disbelief," added the insider.

Loretta Swit

Sexy scene stealer Loretta Swit remained close to her MAS*H costars long after the groundbreaking series' 1983 finale, but sadly, on May 30, the Emmy-winning 87-year-old actress, who played Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, died alone in her New York City apartment, where she was found by a maid.

The bombshell swapped vows with actor Dennis Holahan, who appeared on M*A*S*H during the show's 11th and final season.

The pair divorced after a dozen years.

Loretta would later confess: "I'm not sure I even wanted to get married, even then."

Connie Francis

Legendary '50s and '60s songbird Connie Francis died bitter over not being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

A source revealed. "She never understood why she was left off the list year after year, when she was the first female to have three number one hits on the Billboard Top 100 Chart."

Francis – who died in a Pompano Beach, Florida, hospital at 87 on July 16, after suffering a pelvic fracture and pneumonia – was repeatedly passed over for stars like Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and Carole King.

But the Hall is no doubt sorry now – like her hit song says – that they didn't honor the Pretty Little Baby singer during her lifetime.

"She thought it would almost be an insult at this point to be invited," noted an insider of tragically forgotten Connie. "She refused to be an afterthought."

Loni Anderson

Being typecast as "some airhead blonde" was Loni Anderson's worst nightmare and the reason the natural brunette didn't at first want to take her Emmy-nominated role on WKRP in Cincinnati.

But when her character, Jennifer Marlowe, was rewritten as a beauty with brains, Anderson signed on, dyed her hair platinum – and her career took off.

"I love acting," purred Loni, who died from cancer at a Beverly Hills hospital Aug. 3, two days shy of her 80th birthday.

Anderson also survived an ugly split in 1993 from hubby No. 3 – superstar Burt Reynolds – hurling charges of cheating, abuse and more before the late hunk ponied up a $2 million settlement and $15,000 monthly child support for their adopted son, Quinton, now 37.

"I thank him every day for all the wonderful things he brought into my life," she later admitted. "Quinton ... the experiences and friends. Some of the greatest stories I have are because of Burt."

Tony Roberts

Broadway veteran Tony Roberts took pal Woody Allen's secrets to the grave when the 85-year-old died of lung cancer complications at his Manhattan home on Feb. 7 – after refusing to spill about his famed costar's misdeeds.

The Tony-nominated actor, who also appeared in six of Allen's movies, said he was forced to self-publish his life story – Do You Know Me? – in 2015 because book-selling bigwigs were only interested if he blabbed about child molestation allegations against the filmmaker.

"Tony said he would never betray Woody," a source said.

George Foreman

Boxing powerhouse George Foreman went to the grave as a very rich man, but most of the 76-year-old's estimated $300 million fortune came from hawking kitchen appliances – not from knocking blocks off in the ring.

Three decades before his March 21 death in a Houston hospital, the Olympic gold medalist inked a pact to slap his name on a portable indoor grill for 40 percent of its profits.

He'd later sell the rights to use his famous moniker on the cooking contraption forever – for a whopping $137.5 million in cash and stock.

In all, the Foreman grill banked him "much more than $200 million," said a source.

Charlie Kirk

Firebrand Charlie Kirk, 31, devoted his life to politics – but the conservative activist lost it while debating his beliefs.

On September 10, the Turning Point USA founder was murdered in cold blood as he addressed a question about mass shootings committed by trans people during the first stop of his American Comeback speaking tour at a university in Orem, Utah.

After a 33-hour manhunt, alleged long-range shooter Tyler Robinson, 22, was apprehended and charged with aggravated murder.

The suspect is due to appear in court on January 16.

Charlie's grieving widow, Erika Kirk, 37, has graciously said that she forgives the alleged assassin.

"The answer to hate is not hate," the mom of two declared at her husband's memorial. "The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us."

Pamela Bach-Hassellhoff

In her final days, actress Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff was haunted by a 2003 motorcycle crash while riding with her then-husband, David Hasselhoff.

The Baywatch hunk, now 73, suffered back and rib injuries after losing control of his Harley-Davidson, while initial reports suggested Pamela was only treated for a fractured ankle and wrist.

But a friend recently claimed that the Sirens beauty's neck and back were broken in the accident.

That would explain the debilitating arthritis and mobility issues Pamela had to battle until March 5, when the suffering came to a tragic end as the beautiful 62-year-old took her own life.

She was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside her L.A. home by daughter Hayley, 33.

The powerful sedative-tranquilizer benzodiazepine clonazepam was also in her system.

"The pain is unbearable," eldest daughter Taylor Hasselhoff-Fiore, 35, said in an online tribute following her mom's shocking death. "But I will ... hold onto your memory until we meet again."

Pamela and David ended their 17-year marriage in 2006, but she admitted she'd "always" love him.

Phil Robertson

The final days of TV's Duck Commander, reality star Phil Robertson, were agonizing and anything but happy, happy, happy.

In December, son Jase noted the Louisiana-based outdoorsman and hunting company founder had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and a blood disorder that was "causing problems with his entire body."

"He's just not doing well," the 56-year-old said of his dad. "He's really struggling."

A little more than five months later, former college quarterback Phil, 79, passed away on May 25 – a week to the day before his family's new show, Duck Dynasty: The Revival, premiered.

"Phil had such a strong faith," marveled son Willie, 53. "He told us before, 'Do not cry at my funeral. I know where I'm going.' What a life he lived."