The first non-European Pope in over a millennium, an Oscar-winning actor, a legendary soul singer, and a renowned fashion designer - here’s a look at some of the prominent figures we've lost in 2025.
Among those we remember are Hollywood stars Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Gene Hackman, and theatrical dames Joan Plowright and Patricia Routledge.
**Robert Redford**
Robert Redford's acting career spanned over 50 films and earned him an Oscar for directing. He was a face for independent cinema, founding the Sundance Film Festival.
**Diane Keaton**
Launching to fame in *The Godfather*, Keaton also starred in *Annie Hall,* for which she won an Oscar.
**Prunella Scales**
Best remembered as Sybil Fawlty in *Fawlty Towers,* Scales had a celebrated career in stage and screen.
**David Lynch**
The surreal filmmaker behind works like *Mulholland Drive,* Lynch's impact on cinema is undeniable with his groundbreaking narrative structures.
**Gene Hackman**
As NYPD officer Popeye Doyle in *The French Connection,* Hackman won two Academy Awards, showcasing versatility in both drama and comedy.
**Pope Francis**
As the first Latin American Pope, Francis led the Catholic Church toward modernization with an emphasis on social issues, from refugee rights to environmentalism.
**Giorgio Armani**
The fashion designer transformed the industry with his reimagining of menswear and power suits for women, crafting a lasting luxurious legacy.
Among other luminaries like Ozzy Osbourne, Marianne Faithfull, and various prominent authors and politicians who also passed away, their influences will be woven into the fabric of our culture and society for years to come.
Among those we remember are Hollywood stars Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Gene Hackman, and theatrical dames Joan Plowright and Patricia Routledge.
**Robert Redford**
Robert Redford's acting career spanned over 50 films and earned him an Oscar for directing. He was a face for independent cinema, founding the Sundance Film Festival.
**Diane Keaton**
Launching to fame in *The Godfather*, Keaton also starred in *Annie Hall,* for which she won an Oscar.
**Prunella Scales**
Best remembered as Sybil Fawlty in *Fawlty Towers,* Scales had a celebrated career in stage and screen.
**David Lynch**
The surreal filmmaker behind works like *Mulholland Drive,* Lynch's impact on cinema is undeniable with his groundbreaking narrative structures.
**Gene Hackman**
As NYPD officer Popeye Doyle in *The French Connection,* Hackman won two Academy Awards, showcasing versatility in both drama and comedy.
**Pope Francis**
As the first Latin American Pope, Francis led the Catholic Church toward modernization with an emphasis on social issues, from refugee rights to environmentalism.
**Giorgio Armani**
The fashion designer transformed the industry with his reimagining of menswear and power suits for women, crafting a lasting luxurious legacy.
Among other luminaries like Ozzy Osbourne, Marianne Faithfull, and various prominent authors and politicians who also passed away, their influences will be woven into the fabric of our culture and society for years to come.
