Radar honors 110 legends lost in 2025, from Gene Hackman to Ozzy
Many famous people from showbiz, politics and even religion took their final bow this year, but the effect they had on our lives will not be forgotten. The impact of their performances, courageous stands and goodwill continues to inspire. RadarOnline.com pays tribute to these figures who, although gone, are not forgotten.
Pope Francis
The movie Conclave was the talk of Hollywood upon its release in October 2024 – and just six months later, the world would witness real-life cardinals gathering at the Vatican to choose a replacement for the just-deceased Pope Francis.
The 88-year-old pope, head of the worldwide Catholic Church since 2013, suffered a stroke, followed by a coma and heart failure on April 21.
Among the issues he spoke about during his term were climate change and the mistreatment of migrants.
But Francis apparently did not carry any grudges to the grave.
“Forgiveness is a great act of humanity,” he said in his last formal interview, noting: “We must make a distinction: it is one thing to forgive, and another thing to forget. You cannot forget.”
Hulk Hogan
Towering professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, who survived both outside the ring and in it — including a shocking leaked sex tape and uttering racist comments — breathed his last 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 prevented had a doctor not allegedly severed his phrenic nerve, which controls breathing, during an earlier surgery.
In October, wife No. 3 Sky Daily, 47, and son Nick Hogan, 35, reportedly hinted at a possible malpractice lawsuit.
The Hulk, born Terry Bollea, was estranged from 37-year-old daughter Brooke Hogan.
Yet the devastated beauty mourned: “When he left this earth, it felt like a part of my spirit left with him. I know he is at peace now… He always spoke of this moment with such wonder and hope.
“As if meeting God was the greatest championship he would ever win.”
Richard Chamberlain
TV hunk Richard Chamberlain spent most of his life hiding a career-killing secret: the gorgeous star was gay.
In 1969, his role as the healthy Dr. Kildare in the NBC series raised eyebrows by never marrying or fathering children.
It wasn’t until his 2003 memoir, Shattered lovethat he finally came out at the age of 69.
“When I was growing up, being a sissy or something like that was verboten,” he said. “I hated myself… 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, which ended in 2010.
Still, they remained close, and Rabbett was living with the 90-year-old Chamberlain when he died of complications from a stroke on March 29 in Hawaii.
“I would have been a happier person if I was free,” Chamberlain admitted. “But I was a working actor, and that’s the main thing I wanted from this life.”
