Remembering The Legends: Movie And TV Stars Who Passed Away In 2025

The year 2025 has brought with it the sad farewell to several iconic figures of the silver screen and television. As of today, December 18, 2025, the global entertainment community mourns the loss of celebrated actors whose work spanned decades, leaving behind indelible marks on film history and pop culture. This tribute honors the lives and careers of the beloved stars we lost, celebrating their most memorable roles and enduring legacies.

From the Golden Age of Hollywood to modern prestige television, the actors who passed away this year touched millions of lives through their performances. We delve into the biographies of these talented individuals, exploring their most famous contributions and the circumstances of their passing, ensuring their remarkable careers are remembered and respected.

June Lockhart: The Quintessential TV Mom

June Lockhart, an actress whose career stretched over eight decades, was the quintessential mother figure of mid-20th-century television. Her passing in late 2025 marked the end of an era, with tributes pouring in from across the industry.

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Biography and Iconic Roles

• Full Name: June Lockhart
• Born: June 25, 1925, in New York City, New York
• Died: October 23, 2025, in Santa Monica, California
• Age: 100
• Cause of Death: Natural Causes
• Key Filmography: Sergeant York (1941), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
• Iconic TV Roles: Ruth Martin in Lassie (1958–1964), Dr. Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space (1965–1968), Dr. Janet Craig in Petticoat Junction (1968–1970)
• Awards: Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (1948)

Lockhart was born into a theatrical family; her parents, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, were also accomplished actors. She achieved true stardom on the small screen, becoming a household name with two of television's most iconic maternal roles. As Ruth Martin on Lassie, she embodied the caring, steadfast farm mother. She then captivated a new generation of science fiction fans as Dr. Maureen Robinson, the matriarch of the space-faring family in the classic series Lost in Space.

Her work earned her a Tony Award for the Broadway production of For Love or Money long before her television fame. Her longevity in Hollywood was a testament to her talent and adaptability, making her one of the most beloved figures to pass away in 2025.

Harris Yulin: The Character Actor's Actor

Harris Yulin was a towering presence in film, television, and on the stage, known for his intense, often villainous, or authoritative roles. His death in June 2025 was a significant loss for the world of dramatic acting.

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A Career Defined by Intensity and Versatility

• Full Name: Harris Yulin
• Born: November 5, 1937, in Los Angeles, California
• Died: June 10, 2025, in New York City, New York
• Age: 87
• Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest
• Key Filmography: Scarface (1983), Ghostbusters II (1989), Clear and Present Danger (1994), Training Day (2001)
• Iconic TV Roles: Jerome Belasco in Ozark, The Man in Frasier, Judge Stephen Wexler in Law & Order

Yulin’s career was marked by his powerful stage presence and his ability to inhabit complex, often morally ambiguous characters. His breakout film role came as the lawyer-turned-mobster Mel Bernstein in Brian De Palma's 1983 crime epic, Scarface, alongside Al Pacino.

In later years, he gained renewed recognition for his recurring role as the ruthless businessman Jerome Belasco in the Netflix hit series Ozark. His death from cardiac arrest in New York City in the summer of 2025 ended a prolific career that included over 100 film and TV roles, solidifying his status as a master character actor.

John Lawlor and Paul Danan: Honoring Notable TV Stars

The year also saw the passing of two other notable television actors, each remembered for their distinct contributions to popular series in different eras and genres. The loss of these performers, John Lawlor and Paul Danan, reminds us of the constant turnover in the world of entertainment.

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John Lawlor: From Vietnam Veteran to Sitcom Principal

• Full Name: John Henry Lawlor III
• Born: June 5, 1941, in Albert Lea, Minnesota
• Died: February 13, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Age: 83
• Details of Death: Passed away peacefully at an Albuquerque veterans hospice facility.
• Iconic TV Roles: Steven Bradley in The Facts of Life (Season 1), Leonard Plum in Phyllis

John Lawlor was a U.S. Army veteran before embarking on his acting career, which spanned six decades. He is perhaps best remembered by fans of 1980s television for his role as Steven Bradley, the original headmaster of the Eastland School for Girls in the first season of the classic sitcom The Facts of Life. His earlier work included the role of Leonard Plum in the Mary Tyler Moore Show spin-off Phyllis. Lawlor’s quiet passing in a hospice facility in February 2025 was a poignant moment for those who grew up watching his work.

Paul Danan: The Soap Opera and Reality TV Crossover

• Full Name: Paul Louis Danan
• Born: July 2, 1978
• Died: January 15, 2025, in Bristol, England
• Age: 46
• Cause of Death: Misadventure (combined effects of prescribed and illicit drugs)
• Iconic TV Roles: Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks, various appearances on reality shows like Celebrity Big Brother and Love Island (original run)

Paul Danan was a prominent figure in British soap opera and reality television. He shot to fame playing the troubled Sol Patrick in the popular teen soap Hollyoaks in the late 1990s. His later career included memorable stints on reality TV, where his candid personality made him a controversial and captivating figure. His sudden death in January 2025 at the age of 46 was a shocking event, with a coroner’s inquest later determining the cause to be misadventure.

The Enduring Legacy of the Stars We Lost

The passing of these talented individuals in 2025 serves as a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of Hollywood and the lasting impact of great acting. Whether it was June Lockhart's comforting presence in Lost in Space, Harris Yulin's intimidating gravitas in Scarface and Ozark, John Lawlor's foundational role in The Facts of Life, or Paul Danan's dramatic turns in Hollyoaks, their performances continue to live on through streaming services and re-runs.

The collective film and television community has paused to reflect on the contributions of these stars. Their bodies of work are now their monuments, providing entertainment, drama, and nostalgia for generations to come. We honor their dedication to their craft and the joy they brought to audiences worldwide.