Saying goodbye to these iconic figures, we remember their legacies and their names forever etched in history as public figures loved by their fans. Their contributions across film, music, and sports leave an indelible mark on audiences, and their absence will be deeply felt.
From iconic actors to legendary sportsmen, their legacies helped to shape the cultural landscape through their grit and presence. Here are 7 celebrities who recently left the world:
1. Diogo Jota
Liverpool’s star footballer, Diogo Jota, passed away on the morning of 3rd July 2025 (Thursday) in a fatal car crash that also took the life of his brother, Andre Silva. Reportedly, the 28-year-old Portugal forward had just gotten married to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, only 12 days ago (22nd June 2025). The couple shared 3 children: two sons named Dinis and Duarte, and a daughter.
2. Lee Seo Yi (이서이)
Confirmed by her manager on Wednesday (2nd July 2025), Korean actress Lee Seo Yi (이서이), who starred in “Cheongdam-dong Scandal” and “Killing Romance”, passed away on 20th June 2025. The post described the 43-year-old actress as “Radiant, beautiful and kind” and calls on fans to pray for her peace.
Apart from her acting career, the actress also ran a small flower shop where she planned to relocate and reopen in September 2025. No official cause of death has been released, and her agency remains silent out of respect for the family’s wishes.
3. Kenneth Colley
Known for his role as Admiral Piett in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”, Kenneth Colley passed away on 30th June 2025 (Monday). The 87-year-old retired actor had died peacefully at his home in Ashford, Kent, due to contracting COVID-19 and developing pneumonia.
“Ken continually worked on stage, film and television playing a vast array of characters, from Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian to evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure for the BBC”, said his manager, Julian Owen.
4. Michael Madsen
Known for his tough guy roles in movies, Michael Madsen passed away at age 67 due to cardiac arrest in his home located in Malibu, California. His iconic performances included starring in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” and “Reservoir Dogs”, and he has a decorated career spanning from TV Series, films, voice acting and is also an author. Additionally, in 2022, Michael’s son, Hudson Madsen, had also passed away following a gunshot wound that was classified as suicide.
5. Brian Wilson
The Beach Boys frontman, Brian Wilson, passed away on 11th June 2025 due to respiratory arrest in his Beverly Hills residence. The 82-year-old co-founder of the iconic band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 with the rest of the band and would only reunite with them in 2012 for their 50th anniversary.
6. Walter Scott Jr.
Walter Scott Jr., vocalist and co-producer of the R&B group The Whispers, passed away on 26th June 2025 after a six-month-long battle with cancer. The 81-year-old had founded the group in 1969 with his identical twin brother, Wallace Scott, after serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The group took off in 1980 and released several gold and platinum hits.
7. Maureen Hingert
Sri Lankan first Miss Universe finalist, Maureen Hingert, passed away on 30th June 2025 at the age of 88. The beauty queen passed due to liver failure at the Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, surrounded by family. Other than her beauty pageant career, Hingert had also starred in films such as “The King and I” and Gunmen From Loredo”.
Sources: Sky Sports, The Star, BBC, New York Times, People, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter
