Jeff Baena, The Vivienne, & More Stars Who Tragically Passed Away in 2025

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January 8, 2025 at 10:31am EST

As we turn a new leaf into a new year, we all get hopeful about the memories and achievements we hope to make. But, as a natural fact of life, sometimes life doesn’t go our way and loss is an inevitable part of that.

Just last year, we had to say goodbye to some incredible artists in Hollywood, both young and older. Among the stars who passed in 2024 were country star Toby Keith, fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, former president Jimmy Carter, British actress Dame Maggie Smith, former One Direction member Liam Payne and Beverly Hills 90210 alum Shannen Doherty, just to name a few.

But as we continue to mourn these losses, and send our deepest condolences to their families, 2025 is already seeing some celebrity deaths. On Jan. 3, writer and director Jeff Baena, who was married to actress Aubrey Plaza since 2021, suddenly passed away. “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support,” Plaza’s statement to Variety with his family read. “Please respect our privacy during this time.”

Keep reading to see all the stars who have passed away in 2025.

Our hearts go out to their loved ones.

James Lee Williams (aka The Vivienne)

Image Credit: Jordin Althaus/World of Wonder/Paramount+

James Lee Williams, who also went by the stage name The Vivienne in Drag, passed away on Jan. 5. They were best known for winning the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and also participated in RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. They were 32.

“James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person,” their agent Simon James wrote in his announcement on X. “Their family is heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career.”

Host RuPaul Charles has responded to the sad news on Instagram. “With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne—an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being,” he wrote.
Jeff Baena

Image Credit: Derek Storm/Everett Collection

Writer and director Jeff Baena, known for his work in movies like Life After Beth and The Little Hours, passed away on Jan. 3 at his home in Los Angeles, per CNN. The L.A. County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death to be suicide.

Following his death, his wife and longtime partner Audrey Plaza shared a statement with his family. “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support,” the statement to Variety read. “Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Jocelyn Wildenstein

Image Credit: Rob Rich/Everett Collection

Swiss socialite Jocelyne Wildenstein, who was known as “Catwoman” because of her cosmetic procedures, passed away on Jan. 1. She was 79 years old.

Wildenstein’s partner Lloyd Klein announced the news to AFP, per Barron’s. “An icon has left us,” Klein told the outlet.

She passed from a pulmonary embolism in a luxury hotel in Paris.