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Singer Marianne Faithfull has passed away, aged 78

Mick Jagger was one of the first to pay tribute to her.

As 2025 unfolds, a number of celebrity deaths have sadly occurred. 

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We’re pausing to remember these remarkable stars who left us this year — all of whom left an indelible mark on our lives through their talent and creativity.

Marianne Faithfull

On January 31, 2025, Marianne Faithfull’s spokesperson confirmed that she had passed away. The singer was 78 years old.

Known for her distinctive voice, Marianne first gained fame in the 1960s with her hit As Tears Go By, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Marianne went on to become a key figure in the Swinging London scene and had a high-profile relationship with Mick — the frontman of the Rolling Stones.

In fact, she inspired the Stones’ hit songs ‘Wild Horses’ and ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’.

After a step away from the public eye due to a struggle with heroin addiction, Marianne made a remarkable comeback in 1979 with the critically acclaimed album Broken English.

However, more recently, the singer/actress released She Walks in Beauty. The 2021 album featured Marianne reciting Romantic poetry over music composed by Warren Ellis, with contributions from Nick Cave.

Mick was one of the first to pay tribute to Marianne.

The rock and roll icon released a statement saying, “I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull. She was so much part of my life for so long. She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress. She will always be remembered.”

Actress Joan Plowright poses for photographs. (Photo by Fairchild Archive/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Dame Joan Plowright

The acting legend of both stage and screen passed away peacefully on January 16, 2025, according to a statement made by the family. She was 95.

Dame Joan had a long and illustrious career which spanned over half a century. and saw her in impactful roles in theatre, film, and television. She was of the generation of great acting dames and appeared alongside fellow dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in the 1999 film Tea with Mussolini.

Joan Plowright was one of the few actresses to have received a Golden Globe, Tony, and BAFTA. She also received nominations for an Oscar and an Emmy. She was one of only a few actors who won two Golden Globes in the same year. In 1993 she won two Best Supporting Actress Golden Globes: one for Stalin (TV) and one for Enchanted April (film). Her contributions to acting earned her a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2004.

Plowright’s legacy as an actress and her contributions to the arts have made her a beloved figure in British and international cinema and theatre.

Joan was the widow of fellow iconic actor Sir Laurence Olivier whom she married in 1961. Together, they had three children, Tamsin, Richard and Julie-Kate, and remained married until Olivier’s death in 1989, aged 82.

Plowright retired from acting in 2014 due to vision loss caused by macular degeneration. She is survived by her three children and several grandchildren.

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David Lynch Celebrity Deaths 2025
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David Lynch

David Lynch, the filmmaker best known for Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks, passed away on January 17, 2025.

He was 78 years old.

David’s family shared the sad news in a statement that read, “There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’”

Naomi Watts was one of the first to pay tribute to David, you can read her full statement here.

Simon Townsend Celebrity Deaths 2025
Simon Townsend *** Local Caption *** photo taken 1984

Simon Townsend

Simon Townsend passed away on January 14, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. 

He was 79 years old. 

The iconic Australian journalist, radio, and television presenter was best known for his creation of the popular children’s television Wonder World!

Simon also briefly worked for us here at The Weekly.

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