Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University in September 2025. He was only 31 years old, yet had already become one of the most visible figures in youth-driven conservative politics, often credited with energizing young voters for Donald Trump. His sudden death sent shockwaves across the political spectrum, sparking renewed calls to end political violence in America. | © Charlie Kirk
Zuza Beine, a 14-year-old TikTok and Instagram influencer, died in September 2025 after a long battle with leukemia. She spent more than a decade documenting her fight with cancer, inspiring millions with her honesty, humor, and resilience. Even in her hardest days, Zuza’s posts radiated joy and empathy, leaving behind a legacy far bigger than her years. | © Zuza Beine
Claudia Cardinale, the Italian screen icon, died in September 2025 at the age of 87. She rose to fame after a beauty contest win in 1957 and quickly became a star with roles in Rocco and His Brothers and The Leopard. Her unforgettable performance in Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West made her an international legend. | © Paramount Pictures
Ben Scripps, a two-time Jeopardy! champion, died on September 20, 2025, in Holland, Michigan, at the age of 52. A lifelong fan of the quiz show, he fulfilled his dream in 2020, winning over $38,000 during Alex Trebek’s final year as host. Off screen, Scripps built a career in local news, moving from covering high school football to producing broadcasts at Cadillac’s CBS station. | © Sony Pictures Television
Harry Jaglom, the indie filmmaker who refused to play by Hollywood’s rules, died in September 2025 at the age of 87. He started out editing Easy Rider before building a directing career that explored women’s lives with raw honesty in films like Eating, Babyfever, and Going Shopping. A collaborator with icons such as Orson Welles and Jack Nicholson, Jaglom carved out a career defined by independence and fearless storytelling. | © PBS
Ron Friedman, the writer behind some of TV’s biggest classics, died on September 16, 2025, at the age of 93. He scripted everything from The Andy Griffith Show and Gilligan’s Island to Starsky & Hutch and Bewitched, shaping television for generations. Fans also remember him for reimagining G.I. Joe and reluctantly penning Optimus Prime’s heartbreaking death in Transformers: The Movie. | © TFcon
Brad Everett Young, actor-turned-celebrity photographer, tragically died in a car crash on September 14, 2025, at just 46 years old. He appeared in shows like Boy Meets World and Grey’s Anatomy before finding his true calling behind the camera. Known for capturing Hollywood’s brightest stars, Young’s passion for the industry was as memorable as the portraits he created. | © Entertainment Tonight
Paula Shaw, a familiar face across film and TV, died in September 2025 at the age of 81. From Starsky and Hutch to Little House on the Prairie and later Cedar Cove, she built a career on versatility. Horror fans will never forget her unforgettable turn as Jason’s mother in Freddy vs. Jason, a role that cemented her cult status. | © Hallmark Channel
Brett James, the Grammy-winning songwriter, tragically died in a plane crash in September 2025. His words powered hits like Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On,” along with hundreds of songs recorded by country and pop superstars. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, his legacy is woven into modern music itself. | © Brett James
Polly Holliday, best remembered as Flo from Alice, died in September 2025 at the age of 88. Her sharp wit and the iconic catchphrase “Kiss my grits” made her a sitcom legend of the ’70s and ’80s. She later lit up screens in Private Benjamin, The Golden Girls, and Home Improvement, proving her talent went far beyond Mel’s Diner. | © CBS
Mark Volman, co-founder of The Turtles, died in September 2025 at the age of 78. He gave the world “Happy Together,” the timeless 1967 hit that still soundtracks weddings, ballgames, and countless memories. Beyond The Turtles, he and Howard Kaylan became Flo & Eddie, touring with Frank Zappa and lending their voices to legends like Bruce Springsteen and T. Rex. | © Mark Volman
Giorgio Armani, the legendary Italian designer, passed away in September 2025 at the age of 91. Known as “Il Signor Armani,” he built an empire on elegance and simplicity, with his suits becoming a staple on red carpets and Hollywood icons. Even in his final years, he remained hands-on, ensuring his brand would continue just as he envisioned. | © The Business of Fashion
Rolling Ray, born Juan Raymond Harper, died in September 2025 at just 28 years old. From Catfish: Trolls to his unforgettable appearances on Divorce Court, his viral one-liners and fearless humor made him a true internet icon. Even while facing paralysis, a devastating fire, and health struggles, he turned resilience into entertainment that inspired and entertained millions. | © Big Mouf Media
Graham Greene, the Canadian actor known for his quiet power on screen, died in September 2025 at the age of 73. He earned an Oscar nomination for Dances With Wolves and went on to leave his mark in The Green Mile, The Twilight Saga, and even HBO’s The Last of Us. Beyond acting, he championed Indigenous talent through Toronto’s Native Theatre School, making his legacy as lasting off-screen as on it. | © Cinexus Capital Corporation
Robert Redford, the legendary actor and director, passed away in September 2025 at the age of 89. He died peacefully in Utah, surrounded by family, leaving behind a career that stretched from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to founding the Sundance Film Festival. Beyond Hollywood glory, he’ll also be remembered as the unintentional face of one of the internet’s most beloved memes. | © Netflix
September 2025 brought the loss of several beloved public figures – from screen icons to music legends. In this tribute, we remember 15 famous people whose lives left a mark on pop culture, entertainment, and beyond. Their stories may have ended, but their impact continues.
