Actor George Wendt, Norm from 'Cheers', dies at 76

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

George Wendt, the actor and comedian best known for his iconic role as Norm Peterson on the classic sitcom 'Cheers,' has died, his family confirmed. He was 76. 

Over his nearly 50-year career, Wendt received six Emmy nominations and left a lasting mark on television comedy. His passing adds to a growing list of prominent figures the world has lost in 2025.From celebrated actors and directors, to musicians, athletes, authors, and even the head of the Catholic Church, click through the following gallery to bid farewell to the famous figures who have passed away so far this year.

José Mujica

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

José "Pepe" Mujica, the former president of Uruguay, has died at the age of 89. An ex-guerrilla fighter, Mujica served as president from 2010 to 2015 and gained international recognition as the "world’s poorest president" due to his famously humble lifestyle.

His death was announced on May 13 by current President Yamandú Orsi on X, where he paid tribute: "Thank you for everything you gave us and for your deep love for your people."

While the exact cause of death has not been confirmed, Mujica had been battling esophageal cancer.

Mario Vargas Llosa

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, who died in Lima at 89 on April 13, was not only a literary giant but also a prominent political figure. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010, his works spanned political fiction, personal narratives, and sharp critiques of power. He tackled themes of corruption and authoritarianism, while his political career included a presidential run in Peru in 1990. A key figure in the Latin American literary "boom" alongside Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar, Vargas Llosa's influence continues to resonate, leaving an enduring mark on global literature.

Val Kilmer

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Val Kilmer, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in 'Top Gun' (1986) and 'Batman Forever' (1995), passed away on April 1 in Los Angeles due to complications from pneumonia. Kilmer had battled throat cancer since 2014 and, though he later recovered, a tracheotomy permanently altered his voice and slowed his career. He was 65 years old.   

George Foreman

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

George Foreman, the two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist who later became a successful entrepreneur known for his signature indoor grills, passed away on March 21, at the age of 76. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

A statement on Foreman's Instagram page expressed, "Our hearts are broken." The post continued, "With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr., who peacefully left us on March 21, 2025, surrounded by his family."

Gene Hackman

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

On February 26, legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, was found dead at his Santa Fe home, alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, citing police sources. Authorities have reported no signs of foul play. The cause of death was heart disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a contributing factor.

Michelle Trachtenberg

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg died at the young age of 39. Famous for her TV roles in hits such as 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Gossip Girl,' Trachtenberg was found unconscious in her Manhattan apartment by police on February 26. The star's cause of death was ruled a natural death from complications of diabetes. 

Wayne Osmond

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Singer and musician Wayne Osmond, known for performing alongside his siblings in the Osmond Brothers, passed away on January 1. He resigned from the band in 2012 following treatment for a brain tumor that left him deaf. He was 67 at the time of his death. 

Brenton Wood

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Soul singer Brenton Wood passed away at the age of 83 on January 3. He was famous for a series of '60s hits including 'The Oogum Boogum Song' and 'Catch You on the Rebound.'

The Vivienne

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' winner The Vivienne passed away on January 5 at the age of 31. The drag superstar also appeared on shows like 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' and 'Dancing on Ice.'

Mike Rinder

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Mike Rinder was a former senior executive of the Church of Scientology, who became famous when he later denounced the church and appeared in several documentaries, including the Emmy- and Peabody-winning HBO documentary 'Going Clear in 2015.' He also co-hosted the Emmy-winning docuseries 'Scientology and the Aftermath' With Leah Remini. Rinder died on January 5 at the age of 69. 

Brian Matusz

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Former MLB star Brian Matusz passed away on January 6 at the age of 37 from what appeared to be a drug overdose. Mutsz played for the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs from 2009 to 2016.

Jean-Marie Le Pen

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

The controversial French politician, who founded France's highly influential far-right party the National Front, died on January 7. He was 96 years of age.

Peter Yarrow

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Legendary singer-songwriter Peter Yarrow passed away at 86 on January 7. Yarrow was one-third of the famous folk band Peter, Paul and Mary.

Sam Moore

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Soul singer Sam Moore passed away on January 10 at the age of 89. The Grammy winner was best known for his work in the R&B duo Sam & Dave. 

Tony Slattery

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

British actor and comedian Tony Slattery was best known for his consistent appearances on the improv show 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' Slattery passed away at the age of 65 on January 14 of a heart attack, according to his partner, Mark Michael Hutchinson.

David Lynch

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

The unparalleled David Lynch, director of films such as 'Blue Velvet' (1986) and 'Mulholland Drive' (2001), as well as the hit TV show 'Twin Peaks,' passed away on January 15 at the age of 78. Lynch has been suffering from emphysema before his death following a lifetime as an avid smoker. 

Joan Plowright

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

British actress Dame Joan Plowright passed away on January 16 at the age of 95. The award-winning actress of stage and screen appeared in films like 'Equus' (1977) and 'Tea with Mussolini' (1999). She is also remembered as the widow of Sir Laurence Olivier. 

Lynn Ban

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Lynn Ban, famed jewelry designer and star of Netflix's 'Bling Empire: New York,' died at 52 on January 20. The sad news came weeks after she underwent emergency brain surgery following a ski accident. 

DJ Unk

José Mujica, Mario Vargas Llosa, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Gene Hackman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Wayne Osmond, Brenton Wood, The Vivienne, Mike Rinder, Brian Matusz, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Peter Yarrow, Sam Moore, Tony Slattery, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Lynn Ban

Atlanta hip-hop artist DJ Unk passed away at the age of 43 on January 24 due to a heart attack, according to his wife, Sherkita Long-Platt.

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