Wings Hauser (1947–2025), Vice Squad actor

Wings Hauser was a character actor whose many roles spanned decades and included parts in “Vice Squad,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Roseanne,” and many other productions.

Melody Beattie (1948–2025), Codependent No More author

Melody Beattie was an author best known for her self-help books, including “Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself,” which sold more than seven million copies.

Art Schallock (1924–2025), oldest living ex-MLBer

Art Schallock was a pitcher for the New York Yankees who, from 2022 until his death, was the oldest living ex-Major League Baseball player.

D'Wayne Wiggins (1961–2025), co-founder of Tony! Toni! Toné!

D'Wayne Wiggins was a singer and producer best known as the co-founder of R&B hitmakers Tony! Toni! Toné!, who repeatedly hit the charts in the 1980s and ‘90s with songs like “Feels Good,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” “Anniversary,” and “If I Had No Loot.”

Pamela Bach (1963–2025), Baywatch actress

Pamela Bach was an actress best known for her recurring roles on “Baywatch” and “Sirens” in the 1990s, and as the ex-wife of “Baywatch” co-star David Hasselhoff.

James Houghton (1948–2024), Knots Landing star

James Houghton was an actor and screenwriter known for his onscreen work on “Knots Landing” and “The Colbys,” as well as his writing for “The Young and the Restless.” 

Joseph Wambaugh (1937–2025), author who explored police work 

Joseph Wambaugh was an award-winning writer and author whose work explored the harsh realities of police and detective work, both as fiction (“The Glitter Dome,” “The New Centurions”) and in non-fiction (“The Onion Field,” “The Blooding”).

Roberto Orci (1973–2025), Star Trek reboot screenwriter

Roberto Orci was a screenwriter and producer who worked on 2009’s “Star Trek” and its sequels, the “Transformers” film series, and other movies.

Clint Hill (1932–2025), Secret Service agent at JFK assassination 

Clint Hill was a Secret Service agent under five presidents, best known for jumping onto the presidential car to protect the first lady after President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot in 1963.

Gerd Stern (1928–2025), Beat Generation multimedia artist

Gerd Stern was an influential poet and multimedia artist of the Beat era, as well as the co-founder of the 1960s art collective, USCO. 

Peter Tuiasosopo (1963–2025), Necessary Roughness actor

Peter Tuiasosopo was a former NFL center for the Los Angeles Rams who later became an actor, appearing in films including “Street Fighter and “Necessary Roughness.” 

Bruce French (1945–2025), veteran actor known for Passions

Bruce French was a veteran actor of stage and screen best known for portraying Father Lonigan in over 400 episodes of the NBC daytime drama, “Passions.”

Olga James (1929–2025), Carmen Jones actress

Olga James was an actress and singer best known for her performance in the 1954 movie musical “Carmen Jones” opposite .

Kultida Woods (1944–2025), Tiger Woods’ mother

Kultida Woods was the mother of golf legend Tiger Woods, known for being one of his most prominent supporters and for urging him to adopt red as his Sunday color.

Rich Dauer (1952–2025), Orioles second baseman

Rich Dauer was a longtime second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, winning a World Series with the team in 1983 and securing a spot in the team’s Hall of Fame.0

John Erwin (1936–2024), voice of He-Man

John Erwin was an actor who voiced He-Man and Morris the Cat, among many other roles.

Ken Flores (1996–2025), stand-up comedian

Ken Flores was a stand-up comedian and the creator of the Chicago comedy showcase LatinXL.

Jan Shepard (1928–2025), actress in King Creole

Jan Shepard was an actress who starred alongside in “King Creole” and “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.” 

A Look at Notable & Celebrity Deaths from January 2025 Week 3

Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reviewed and fact-checked by the Legacy.com news team in the third week of January 2025.

Charles Phan (1962–2025), influential Vietnamese chef 

Charles Phan was a Vietnamese chef whose restaurant, The Slanted Door, and cookbooks helped spark a nationwide appreciation of his country's cuisine.

Francisco San Martin (1985–2025), Days of Our Lives actor

Francisco San Martin was an actor known for roles in such TV shows as “Days of Our Lives” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

Christian Juttner (1964–2024), star of Return From Witch Mountain

Christian Juttner was a child actor of the 1970s best known for “Return From Witch Mountain,” “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” and “The Magical World of Disney.” 

Mike Hynson (1942–2025), The Endless Summer surfer

Mike Hynson was a California surfer and surfboard designer who became a star of the scene in the 1960s when his adventures were captured in the 1966 documentary, “The Endless Summer.” 

Robert Machray (1945–2025), fainting Santa from M&Ms ad

Robert Machray was a character actor known for his recurring role on “Cheers” and for starring in a long-running TV commercial for M&Ms.

Claude Jarman Jr. (1934–2025), star of The Yearling

Claude Jarman Jr. was a former child star, best known for his performance in the 1946 movie “The Yearling.” 

Warren Upton (1919–2024), oldest living Pearl Harbor survivor

Warren Upton was a U.S. Navy veteran and the last remaining survivor of the bombing of the USS Utah at Pearl Harbor. 

Charles Shyer (1941–2024), Father of the Bride writer-director

Charles Shyer was a filmmaker known for such movies as “Private Benjamin,” which he co-wrote and co-produced, and “Father of the Bride,” which he co-wrote and directed.

Jeff Baena (1977–2025), The Little Hours filmmaker

Jeff Baena was a screenwriter and director known for such movies as “I Heart Huckabees” and “The Little Hours,” as well as the husband of actress Aubrey Plaza.

Brenton Wood (1941–2025), The Oogum Boogum Song singer 

Brenton Wood was a singer and songwriter best known for a trio of hits released in 1967: "The Oogum Boogum Song," "Gimme Little Sign," and "Baby You Got It." 

Lenny Randle (1949–2024), MLB’s “Most Interesting” player

Lenny Randle was a baseball player for the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and other teams, whose unusual career led him to be called the most interesting man in baseball. 

Olivia Hussey (1951–2024), Romeo and Juliet star

Olivia Hussey was an actress best known for her starring performance as Juliet in filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet.” 

Linda Lavin (1937–2024), star of Alice

Linda Lavin was a Tony Award-winning Broadway actress and singer who starred on TV in the hit sitcom “Alice.” 

Art Evans (1942–2024), Die Hard 2 actor

Art Evans was an actor best known for his performance as chief airport engineer Leslie Barnes in “Die Hard 2.” 

Rickey Henderson (1958–2024), MLB’s all-time stolen base leader

Rickey Henderson was a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer who still holds the records for most runs and most stolen bases more than 20 years after his retirement.

Diane Delano (1957–2024), Northern Exposure actress

Diane Delano was a veteran actress best known for her roles as Barbara Semanski, the Alaskan state trooper on the quirky “Northern Exposure,” and science teacher Bobbi Glass on the teen drama “Popular.” 

Jim Tunney (1929–2024), longtime NFL referee

Jim Tunney was a referee in the National Football League who served the sport for over three decades, working in nearly 30 post-seasons, including three Super Bowls.

Jill Jacobson (1954–2024), actress in Falcon Crest, Star Trek

Jill Jacobson was an actress known for roles in such TV shows as “Falcon Crest,” “The New Gidget,” and two versions of “Star Trek.” 

Zakir Hussain (1951–2024), renowned Indian tabla player

Zakir Hussain was an icon of Indian classical music and world fusion, widely considered one of the world’s greatest tabla players.

Bob Fernandez (1924–2024), Pearl Harbor survivor

Bob Fernandez was a United States Navy veteran and one of the last remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack that launched the U.S. into World War II.

Michael Cole (1940–2024), The Mod Squad actor

Michael Cole was an actor best known for playing Pete Cochran in the 1960s and ‘70s crime drama, “The Mod Squad,” and a 64-episode stint on “General Hospital.” 

Merv Rettenmund (1943–2024), World Series champion

Merv Rettenmund was a 13-year veteran of Major League Baseball who won two World Series rings playing with two different 1970s dynasties – the powerhouse Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine – then a third coaching the 1990s Oakland Athletics. 

Malcolm Smith (1941–2024), Baja 1000 racing legend

Malcolm Smith was a racing driver known for his five wins at the Baja 1000 and four at the Baja 500, both notoriously grueling desert races.

Kabir Singh (1984–2024), stand-up comedian

Kabir Singh was a stand-up comedian who came to national attention when he earned his way to the semi-finals in season 16 of “America’s Got Talent.” 

Wayne Northrop (1947–2024), Days of Our Lives star

Wayne Northrop was an actor best known for his performances in the soap operas “Days of Our Lives,” “Dynasty,” and “Port Charles.” 

Earl Holliman (1928–2024), Police Woman costar

Earl Holliman was an actor best known for his award-winning work in the 1956 western romance “The Rainmaker,” and starring opposite Angie Dickinson in the TV drama “Police Woman.”

Jim Abrahams (1944–2024), Airplane! filmmaker

Jim Abrahams was part of the Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker (ZAZ) filmmaking team, known for such comedies as “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun.”  

Sir Lady Java (1942–2024), entertainer and transgender rights activist 

Sir Lady Java was a noted singer, dancer, and entertainer of the 1960s and ‘70s club scene in Los Angeles who became an early transgender activist.

Saafir (1970–2024), Bay Area rapper and actor

Saafir was a Bay Area rapper and actor known for his innovative rhythms, collaborations with artists like Xzibit, and acting career, which included the film “Menace II Society.”

Linda LaFlamme (1939–2024), keyboardist, co-writer of White Bird

Linda LaFlamme was a musician and founding member of It’s a Beautiful Day, the San Francisco band with which she performed the 1960s anthem, “White Bird.”