Farewells are a natural part of life. While we often grieve family and close friends, we can also mourn people we never met who still left a lasting impression on our lives through their creativity and influence. Throughout 2025, the world said goodbye to a group of individuals whose talents inspired millions around the world. From musicians who provided the soundtrack to our lives to actors who brought unforgettable stories to the big screen and public figures whose words and work resonated, their legacies will continue to live on.
Among them were Canadians Graham Greene and Garth Hudson, stars of the screen Gene Hackman, Diane Keaton and Rob Reiner, and influential musicians Ozzy Osbourne and Angie Stone.
We're taking the time to celebrate the legacy of this group of people by remembering some of the celebrities we lost in 2025. Story continues below advertisement -Jeff Baena View image in full screen Jeff Baena arrives at the premiere of 'Spin Me Round,' Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, at The London in West Hollywood, Calif. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File Indie filmmaker Jeff Baena, who was married to his frequent creative collaborator Aubrey Plaza, died on Jan. 3 at the age of 47.
Baena co-wrote David O. Russell's 2004 film I Heart Huckabees and wrote and directed five of his own films, mostly dark comedies. Plaza starred in his directorial debut, the 2014 zombie comedy Life After Beth, and appeared in two of his other films: The Little Hours and Spin Me Round.
Mike Rinder View image in full screen FILE - Mike Rinder (L) and Leah Remini (R) attend the 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards - Day 2 at the Microsoft Theater on September 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic Former Scientology executive and whistleblower Mike Rinder died on Jan. 5 at the age of 69. Story continues below advertisement Before Rinder left the Church of Scientology in 2007 and became a whistleblower pulling back the curtain on its inner workings, he served in various executive roles within the church including the international spokesperson, head of the Office of Special Affairs and a member of the Board of Directors of the Church of Scientology International.
After leaving Scientology behind at the age of 52, he became a cutting critic of the organization, co-hosting Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath for three seasons, where he exposed alleged widespread abuse and harassment. When the docuseries ended, he and Remini continued to speak out about the church in their Scientology: Fair Game podcast.
Peter Yarrow View image in full screen FILE - In this July 20, 2014, file photo, singer-songwriter Peter Yarrow, of the 1960's era musical trio "Peter Paul and Mary," claps and encourages the audience to sing along during a memorial tribute concert for folk icon and civil rights activist Pete Seeger at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park in New York. AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File Peter Yarrow, the singer-songwriter best known as one-third of Peter, Paul and Mary, died on Jan.7 at the age of 86. Story continues below advertisement Peter, Paul and Mary's harmonies transfixed millions as they lifted their voices in favour of civil rights and against war. Yarrow co-wrote the folk-music trio's song, Puff the Magic Dragon.
During an incredible run of success spanning the 1960s, Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers released six Billboard Top 10 singles, two No. 1 albums and won five Grammys.
After an eight-year hiatus to pursue solo careers, the trio reunited in 1978 for "Survival Sunday," an anti-nuclear-power concert that Yarrow had organized in Los Angeles. They would remain together until Travers' death in 2009. Yarrow and Stookey continued to perform both separately and together.
Sam Moore Sam Moore arrives at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the 18th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in Washington, Oct. 18, 2015. Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File) Owen Sweeney Sam Moore, the higher voice of the 1960s duo Sam & Dave that was known for such definitive hits of the era as Soul Man and Hold On, I'm Comin, died on Jan. 10 at the age of 89. Story continues below advertisement At the Memphis, Tenn.-based Stax Records, Moore and Dave Prater ranked only behind Otis Redding as the label's biggest stars. They recorded some of soul music's most enduring hits, which also included You Don't Know Like I Know, When Something is Wrong With My Baby and I Thank You.
Moore was inducted with Prater into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Bob Uecker View image in full screen Milwaukee Brewers sportscaster Bob Uecker speaks at a news conference Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Milwaukee. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker "Mr. Baseball" and honours from the Hall of Fame, died on Jan. 16 at the age of 90.
Uecker was best known as a colourful comedian and broadcaster who earned his nickname during one of his numerous appearances on Johnny C