UK Celebrity Deaths 2025

Though these famous figures have died, their legacies live on and continue to inspire and delight us. Join us as we remember celebrities who died in 2025.

Willie Mays (1931–2024), all-time baseball legend

Willie Mays was a legendary MLB outfielder who played most of his career for the New York/San Francisco Giants. He was often called the greatest baseball player of all time.

Dean Smith (1932–2023), Olympic sprinter and Hollywood stuntman

Dean Smith was a gold medal-winning Olympic sprinter and notable Hollywood stuntman. He doubled for stars like John Wayne, Roy Rogers, and Paul Newman in films like “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “The Towering Inferno.”

Tori Bowie (1990–2023), Olympic track & field medalist

Tori Bowie was a track and field star who won three medals in the 2016 Olympics and was a gold medalist in the 2017 World Athletic Championships.

Bob Richards (1926–2023), first athlete featured on Wheaties boxes

Bob Richards was an Olympic gold medalist in pole vaulting who became the first athlete featured on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes.

Greg Foster (1958–2023), world champion hurdler 

Greg Foster was an American hurdler. He is the only person to win three consecutive World Championship titles in the sport.

Marion Barber III (1983–2022), Dallas Cowboys running back

Marion Barber III was a running back for the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears.

Shirley Burkovich (1933–2022), infielder for the Rockford Peaches

Shirley Burkovich was an infielder and outfielder for teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), including the Rockford Peaches.

Joan Joyce (1940–2022), softball legend and LPGA record-holder

Joan Joyce was the longtime head softball coach at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), as well as a record-setting golfer and basketball player.

Janet MacPherson (1937–2022), pioneer of women’s surfing

Janet MacPherson was a pioneer of women’s surfing, who became a legend in the surfing community.

Pedro Feliciano (1976–2021), New York Mets pitcher

Pedro Feliciano was a pitcher for the New York Mets in the 2000s and 2010s.

Tom Matte (1939–2021), Baltimore Colts running back

Tom Matte was a running back with the Baltimore Colts in the 1960s and ‘70s known for his brief stint replacing quarterback .

Jerry Remy (1952–2021), Boston Red Sox All-Star and commentator

Jerry Remy was an All-Star second baseman for the Boston Red Sox as well as a color commentator after his retirement.

Ray Fosse (1947–2021), Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians catcher

Ray Fosse was a catcher for Major League Baseball teams including the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians, as well as a color commentator after his playing career.

Sam Cunningham (1950–2021), NFL star who inspired college football integration

Sam Cunningham was a football player who helped break down racial barriers at the University of Southern California before excelling with the New England Patriots.

Dick Schafrath (1937–2021), Cleveland Browns legend

Dick Schafrath was an offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns, who helped them win the NFL Championship in 1964.

Joan Ullyot (1940–2021), convinced Olympics to add women’s marathon

Joan Ullyot was a physician and runner whose research and advocacy helped persuade the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to add a women’s marathon to the Summer Olympics.

Angela Bailey (1962–2021), record-holding Olympic sprinter

Angela Bailey was a Canadian sprinter who won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics.

Shirley Fry Irvin (1927–2021), Tennis Hall of Famer

Shirley Fry Irvin was a tennis player who was ranked No. 1 in 1956 and won a career Grand Slam.

MatÄ«ss Kivlenieks (1996–2021), NHL goaltender

Mat Ä«ss Kivlenieks was a goaltender with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets.

René Robert (1948–2021), NHL star with the Buffalo Sabres

Ren é Robert was a Canadian hockey player who was a member of the Buffalo Sabres’ forward line of the 1970s known as “The French Connection.”

Leroy Jones (1950–2021), Chargers defensive end

Leroy Jones was a defensive end with the San Diego Chargers in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Hal O’Leary (1927–2021), taught amputee kids to ski

Hal O’Leary was the founder of the National Sports Center for the Disabled, which offers skiing and other sports for athletes with disabilities.

Mark Eaton (1957–2021), Utah Jazz shot-blocking legend

Mark Eaton was a former 7-foot-4 shot-blocking defensive star with the Utah Jazz.

Del Crandall (1930–2021), All-Star with the Boston/Milwaukee Braves

Del Crandall was al All-Star catcher for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves, and the last living player from the Boston Braves.

Courtney Hall (1968–2021), captain of Chargers’ Super Bowl team

Courtney Hall was an NFL player for the San Diego Chargers, who played center and was team captain for their Super Bowl appearance in the 1994 season.

Bibian Mentel (1972–2021), Paralympic snowboarding champion

Bibian Mentel was a snowboarder who won three gold medals at the Paralympic Winter Games after losing part of her leg to cancer.

Elgin Baylor (1934–2021), Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer

Elgin Baylor was an NBA player and executive who was a superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Dick Hoyt (1940–2021), iconic marathoner who ran pushing his son

Dick Hoyt was a runner who became well known for competing in the Boston Marathon and other races while pushing his son, Rick, in a wheelchair.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler (1954–2021), former middleweight boxing champion

Marvelous Marvin Hagler was a boxer who held the middleweight championship from 1980 to 1987.

Mark Pavelich (1958–2021), “Miracle on Ice” star

Mark Pavelich was an NHL player who was a star of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, who beat the Soviet Union in an upset known as the “Miracle on Ice.”

Irv Cross (1939–2021), pioneering sportscaster

Irv Cross was a football player and sportscaster who became the first Black sports analyst on national television and co-hosted “The NFL Today.”

Bill Wright (1936–2021), first Black golfer to win a USGA title

Bill Wright was the first Black golfer to win a United States Golf Association (USGA) event, 1959’s Amateur Public Links Championship in Denver.

Vincent Jackson (1983–2021), former NFL wide receiver

Vincent Jackson was a former NFL wide receiver who played for the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Leon Spinks (1953–2021), former heavyweight boxing champ

Leon Spinks was a boxer who became the heavyweight champion in 1978 after beating in a shocking upset.

Dianne Durham (1968–2021), first Black national gymnastics champion

Dianne Durham was the first Black gymnast to win a U.S. national championship, in 1983.

Grant Jackson (1942–2021), pitcher for the 1979 World Series-winning Pirates

Grant Jackson was an MLB pitcher who helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1979 World Series.

Hank Aaron (1934–2021), baseball legend with the Braves

Hank Aaron was a Hall of Fame slugger for the Braves who held the Major League Baseball career home run record for 33 years.

Don Sutton (1945–2021), Hall of Fame pitcher

Don Sutton was a Hall of Fame pitcher, known mostly for his time with the Dodgers, who won more than 300 games.

Michael Cusack (1956–2020), original Special Olympics medalist

Michael Cusack was an athlete with Down syndrome who won a gold medal in freestyle swimming at the first Special Olympics in 1968.

Paul Westphal (1950–2021), Basketball Hall of Famer

Paul Westphal was a five-time NBA All-Star who later became a head coach.

Phil Niekro (1939–2020), legendary knuckleball pitcher

Phil Niekro was a legendary Hall of Fame pitcher known for his knuckleball pitch, who played for the Braves most of his career.

Kevin Greene (1962–2020), legendary NFL pass rusher

Kevin Greene was a Hall of Fame linebacker who was one of the best pass rushers in NFL history.

Negro League Stars

We take a look back at the stars of the Negro Leagues and their incredible achievements on and off the baseball diamond.

Dick Allen (1942–2020), Phillies, White Sox legend

Dick Allen was a legendary slugger for the Philies and White Sox who was a seven-time All-Star.

Rafer Johnson (1934–2020), Olympic decathlon legend

Rafer Johnson won the decathlon gold medal at the 1960 Olympic games in Rome and was the first Black American to be the flag bearer for the U.S. Olympic team.

Pat Patterson (1941–2020), WWE Hall of Famer

Pat Patterson was a wrestling star who helped built World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was a mentor to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Fred Sasakamoose (1933–2020), indigenous NHL trailblazer

Fred Sasakamoose was one of the first indigenous players in the NHL.

Diego Maradona (1960–2020), soccer legend

Diego Maradona was one of the greatest soccer players of all time, leading Argentina to a World Cup win in 1986.