14 notable deaths in the first half of 2025
The year may only be half over, but already the list of notable people who have passed away in 2025 is significant. Here's a look at some of the well-known people and celebrities who died in the first half of 2025.
Article content
Michelle Trachtenberg: This Gossip Girl and Harriet the Spy actress passed away at age 39, from complications related to diabetes on Feb. 26.
Val Kilmer: An acclaimed acting talent, Kilmer was lauded for his roles in movies such as The Doors, Tombstone and Top Gun, before passing away at age 65 of pneumonia on April 1.
Wayne Osmond: The second oldest brother in the pop singing sensation Osmond Brothers, Wayne Osmond was also known for his musical prowess, playing eight instruments while in the group. He suffered a stroke on Jan. 1 and died at age 73.
George Foreman: Foreman — a world heavyweight boxing champ, Olympic gold medallist and creator of the infamous George Foreman Grill — was 76 when he died on March 21.
George Wendt: Nominated six times for an Emmy for his role of Norm on the TV show Cheers, Wendt died of cardiac arrest May 20 at age 76.
Marianne Faithfull: A leading female singer who was part of the British invasion of the 1960s, Faithfull was 78 when she died Jan. 30.
David Lynch: A renowned director, writer and multiple-Oscar nominee for films including The Elephant Man, Lynch was 78 when he died Jan. 16, suffering from emphysema complications.
Sly Stone: At age 82, Stone — the musical genius behind Sly and the Family Stone — passed away June 9, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other health problems.
Brian Wilson: A co-founder of the Beach Boys and pop music icon, Wilson was 82 when he died of an undisclosed illness on June 9.
Loretta Swit: The Emmy-winning Swit, known for her Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan role on M*A*S*H, died May 30 at age 87 of still-unannounced natural causes.
Pope Francis: The head of the Catholic Church, Argentina-born Pope Francis, became revered for his moderate approach and accepting nature before dying April 21 at age 88.
Roberta Flack: This Grammy-winning Killing Me Softly with His Song songstress died Feb. 24 of cardiac arrest at age 88.
Richard Chamberlain: The Emmy-nominated actor, known for roles in Dr. Kildare and The Thorn Birds, died at age 90 on March 30 after suffering a stroke.
Gene Hackman: One of Hollywood's great actors, Hackman won two Oscars (for the French Connection and Unforgiven) and received a myriad of other awards before dying Feb. 26 at age 95 of heart disease.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Calgary Herald
6 days ago
- Calgary Herald
'Gizmo', 'Satan,' and 'McLovin': Inside the changing world of pilot call signs at CFB Cold Lake
As far back as the Second World War, Canadian pilots have used call signs to identify themselves to colleagues in the air and on the ground. Article content Such short-hand monikers are used in official and unofficial communications as well as by Canada's allies, and have appeared in pop culture through films like Top Gun. Article content Article content The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) says call signs serve as more than identification markers, and reflect both generations of aviation heritage as well as the contemporary pilots who assign the nicknames to their peers. Article content Article content While once considered to be permanent, call signs and the policies that govern them have been updated in recent years amid controversy over some individual nicknames and the process by which they were assigned. Article content Article content Those concerns prompted an overhaul of standards around call signs and the process used to choose them, according to over 200 pages of records acquired by Postmedia via several access to information requests that produced records primarily from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta but also from other bases. Article content 'While the RCAF continues to value tradition and camaraderie, we recognize that certain call signs previously considered acceptable may no longer reflect the evolving culture of the organization,' reads a statement to Postmedia from Maj. Marie-Eve Bilodeau with the Canadian Armed Forces. Article content 'Our approach remains flexible, allowing the fighter force culture to evolve alongside broader societal expectations.' Article content Article content 'Pica,' 'McLovin,' and 'Play of the Day' Article content The documents list close to 100 different call signs, and while the origins of many of those are difficult to determine many are apparent attempts at humour. Article content Call signs referencing first or last names were common, including one pilot with the surname Chu who was given the call sign 'Pica' in reference to the Pokemon character. Article content Entertainment was a popular source of inspiration for call signs including 'Bollywood,' 'Jar Jar,' 'Gizmo,' 'Footloose,' and 'McLovin' in apparent reference to the 2007 film Superbad. Article content 'Call signs, much like nicknames between good friends, are intended to maintain tradition and contribute to esprit de corps,' Bilodeau stated. Article content Some call signs were acronyms, including 'POG' in reference to TSN's Play of the Game highlight segment, 'RIC' referring to an officer who rides (his motorcycle) in crocs, and 'DATA' for a pilot whose colleagues apparently believe doesn't always think ahead. Article content Animal names including 'Pug,' 'Tiger,' 'Piglet,' and 'Walrus,' were also assigned as call signs, as were foods including 'Jelly Bean' and 'Loaf.' Article content Some call signs produced amusing juxtapositions, including the potential of 'Moses' and 'Satan' flying together on the same mission. Article content 'Traditions are important' Article content Those nicknames are selected by what's known as a call sign review board (CRB), that despite the formal name, are an invite-only social gathering. Article content 'Due to the unprecedented times we have lived through over the past two years none of you have been adequately exposed to mess culture or to the morale building exercises central to the identity of an operational unit such as ours,' reads an emailed invitation to pilots from an acting commanding officer at CFB Cold Lake, adding the CRB will 'ensure your proper amalgamation into the fighter controller community.' Article content Article content 'Traditions are important,' his email ends. Article content The documents indicate meetings of CRBs can include consumption of alcohol by attendees, are sometimes preceded by a slideshow full of internet memes, and in one case, encouraged invitees to obtain an item from a rival squadron on base to be 'ransomed' back to its rightful owner at a later date. Article content Potential call signs for a given pilot are set out to the group by the leader of the CRB, referenced in the documents as 'the mayor.' Those suggestions are then debated by the 'congregation' of other pilots while the member awaiting his or her new call sign, known as 'the defendant,' waits outside. Article content Upon being invited back into the room, the pilot is informed of the group's choice and bestowed with that as their call sign. Article content While often whimsical or humorous, some call signs have been deemed to be problematic in the past. Article content Article content In 2022, two senior officers were disciplined and fined for not intervening during a call sign review board at CFB Cold Lake that assigned a junior male pilot a homophobic call sign that referenced a specific female pilot. Article content Maj.-Gen. Iain Huddleston told The Canadian Press then that the call sign was 'egregious,' and the incident led the RCAF to promise to add more controls over how call signs are assigned. Article content A 2023 lessons-learned report included in the documents presented several recommendations regarding CRBs, including that commanding officers pre-vet any prospective call signs which are also to be presented to pilots privately 'to ensure all perceived pressure to consent is removed.' Article content 'The RCAF reviewed and updated its direction surrounding call sign assignment practices to ensure alignment with Canadian Armed Forces values, including professionalism, respect, dignity, and inclusion,' Bilodeau stated.
Ottawa Citizen
27-06-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Vancouver's Ryan Reynolds among Canada Day Order of Canada appointees
Article content B.C.'s own Merc with a Mouth – otherwise known as actor Ryan Reynolds – will be invested as an officer of the Order of Canada during Canada Day festivities in Ottawa. Article content The Vancouver-born Reynolds is known for playing the Marvel character Deadpool and for several business ventures, including co-ownership of the U.K.'s Wrexham Football Club. Those who follow tabloid gossip will also know him as husband to actress Blake Lively, known for her Gossip Girl days and various hair care product and beverage business ventures. Article content Article content Article content In addition to Reynolds, musician Heather Rankin will also be invested as an officer of the Order of Canada. Article content Article content Mabou, Nova Scotia's Rankin has won six Junos with The Rankin Family, in addition to her solo music career. Article content They'll be joined by St. John's musician Deantha Rae Edmunds, Winnipeg sportscaster Scott Oake and Loungueuil, Que. writer Kim Thuy Ly Thanh, who will be named members of the Order of Canada. Article content While Reynolds has long been a champion of his hometown and country, having filmed Deadpool here and regularly donating to major Canadian charities, he likely won't be moving home anytime soon, as he told The Hollywood Reporter last year. Article content The thought 'hadn't even crossed' his or his wife's mind, he said in December 2024. Article content Article content 'I love New York, and I love where I live,' Reynolds said in the interview. Article content Article content Noting he's 'always been proud of being Canadian' in The Hollywood Reporter interview, the actor and film producer did consider a move back to B.C. not so long ago. Article content In an exclusive interview with Vancouver Sun and Province reporter Dana Gee in 2023, while Reynolds was in town to receive the Order of B.C., the actor shared that he and Lively had discussed making the move to Vancouver at one point. Article content 'Thankfully my wife is obsessed with Vancouver and the food scene in Vancouver. I'm obsessed with the childhood that I was given and how privileged that I was to grow up in a place like Vancouver, which I think has imbued tenets that I have taken and carried with me throughout my entire career,' Reynolds said. Article content
Vancouver Sun
27-06-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver's Ryan Reynolds among Canada Day Order of Canada appointees
B.C.'s own Merc with a Mouth – otherwise known as actor Ryan Reynolds – will be invested as an officer of the Order of Canada during Canada Day festivities in Ottawa. The Vancouver-born Reynolds is known for playing the Marvel character Deadpool and for several business ventures, including co-ownership of the U.K.'s Wrexham Football Club. Those who follow tabloid gossip will also know him as husband to actress Blake Lively, known for her Gossip Girl days and various hair care product and beverage business ventures. In addition to Reynolds, musician Heather Rankin will also be invested as an officer of the Order of Canada. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Mabou, Nova Scotia's Rankin has won six Junos with The Rankin Family, in addition to her solo music career. They'll be joined by St. John's musician Deantha Rae Edmunds, Winnipeg sportscaster Scott Oake and Loungueuil, Que. writer Kim Thuy Ly Thanh, who will be named members of the Order of Canada. The ceremony will be part of the Canada Day noon celebration at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa. The Order of Canada is the country's highest civilian honour. While Reynolds has long been a champion of his hometown and country, having filmed Deadpool here and regularly donating to major Canadian charities, he likely won't be moving home anytime soon, as he told The Hollywood Reporter last year . The thought 'hadn't even crossed' his or his wife's mind, he said in December 2024. 'I love New York, and I love where I live,' Reynolds said in the interview. Noting he's 'always been proud of being Canadian' in The Hollywood Reporter interview, the actor and film producer did consider a move back to B.C. not so long ago. In an exclusive interview with Vancouver Sun and Province reporter Dana Gee in 2023 , while Reynolds was in town to receive the Order of B.C., the actor shared that he and Lively had discussed making the move to Vancouver at one point. 'Thankfully my wife is obsessed with Vancouver and the food scene in Vancouver. I'm obsessed with the childhood that I was given and how privileged that I was to grow up in a place like Vancouver, which I think has imbued tenets that I have taken and carried with me throughout my entire career,' Reynolds said. '… It has really given me the tools to process and deal with a lot of the things maybe some of my peers maybe have slightly more maladaptive coping mechanisms to deal with.' With files from The Canadian Press.
