Foreign Actresses Who Passed Away in 2025

The global film community mourned the loss of many legendary international actresses throughout the year 2025. These performers represented a wide array of cultures and cinematic traditions from the Golden Age of Europe to the contemporary era of Asian television. Their contributions to the arts helped bridge cultural divides and brought diverse stories to audiences across the world. Each of these women left behind a unique legacy that continues to inspire future generations of actors and filmmakers. Their absence is deeply felt by fans and colleagues alike who continue to celebrate their remarkable lives.

Joan Plowright

The esteemed British actress passed away on January 16 at the age of 95. She gained international acclaim for her work in ‘Enchanted April’ and ‘Stalin’ earning multiple awards throughout her career. Plowright was one of the few performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting within the British theater and film community. Her legacy includes a prolific body of work ranging from Shakespearean dramas to modern cinematic classics. She was also widely known for her marriage to the legendary actor Sir Laurence Olivier.

Gloria Romero

The iconic Filipino actress passed away on January 25 at the age of 91. She was a major star during the Golden Age of Philippine cinema and remained active in the industry for over seventy years. Her performance in ‘Tanging Yaman’ earned her critical acclaim and solidified her status as a matriarch of the silver screen. Romero was celebrated for her elegance and versatile talent which spanned from romantic leads to powerful dramatic roles. She received numerous lifetime achievement awards for her immense contribution to Filipino culture.

Barbie Hsu

The beloved Taiwanese actress and singer died on February 2 at the age of 48. She rose to pan-Asian fame for her leading role as Shan Cai in the hit series ‘Meteor Garden’ during the early 2000s. Her career spanned television and film including notable performances in the movie ‘Connected’ and the drama ‘Mars’. Fans across the globe remembered her as a defining figure of the Mandopop and idol drama era. Her passing was met with widespread mourning throughout the Asian entertainment industry.

Geneviève Page

The esteemed French actress passed away on February 14 at the age of 97. She was internationally recognized for her roles in Hollywood films such as ‘El Cid’ and ‘Grand Prix’. Throughout her long career she worked with renowned directors like Luis Buñuel in the classic film ‘Belle de Jour’. Her stage work was equally celebrated in France where she was considered a leading figure of the theater. She left behind a legacy of sophisticated and intelligent performances that spanned several decades.

Émilie Dequenne

The talented Belgian actress died on March 16 at the age of 43. She first gained international attention for her debut role in ‘Rosetta’ which won her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. Over the following years she established herself as a powerhouse in European cinema with roles in ‘The Girl on the Train’ and ‘Our Children’. Her work was characterized by deep emotional intensity and a commitment to realistic storytelling. The film community mourned the loss of a performer who was still in the prime of her career.

Filiz Akın

The beloved Turkish actress died on March 21 at the age of 82. She was known as the European face of Turkish cinema and was a key figure during the Yesilcam era. Her career included dozens of starring roles in films such as ‘Gurbet Kuslari’ and ‘Ankara Ekspresi’. Beyond her acting she was admired for her work as a writer and her public advocacy for health awareness. Fans remembered her for her elegance and her contribution to the modernization of the national film industry.

Jean Marsh

The influential British actress and screenwriter passed away on April 13 at the age of 90. She was best known for co-creating and starring in the landmark period drama ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’. Her portrayal of Rose Buck earned her an Emmy Award and lasting recognition in the television industry. Marsh also appeared in popular films such as ‘Willow’ and ‘Frenzy’ showcasing her versatility as a performer. Her contributions to British television history helped shape the genre of the domestic period drama.

Nora Aunor

The celebrated Filipino actress and singer died on April 16 at the age of 71. Known as the Superstar of Philippine cinema she appeared in over 170 films and recorded numerous hit albums. Her performance in ‘Himala’ is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of Asian film. She received multiple international awards and was named a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in the Philippines. Her career spanned over five decades and left an indelible mark on her country’s cultural heritage.

Taina Elg

The Finnish-American actress and dancer passed away on May 15 at the age of 95. She achieved international stardom after winning a Golden Globe for her performance in the musical ‘Les Girls’. Her career included notable appearances in films such as ‘The 39 Steps’ and ‘Hercules in New York’. Originally trained as a ballerina she brought a unique grace to her screen and stage performances over many decades. She remained a prominent figure in the Finnish arts community throughout her life.

Claudia Cardinale

The legendary Italian actress died on September 23 at the age of 87. She appeared in some of the most celebrated European films of the 1960s including ‘8 1/2’ and ‘The Leopard’. Her collaboration with director Sergio Leone in ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’ cemented her status as a global star. Throughout her career she worked with many of the greatest filmmakers in history across multiple languages. Cardinale was frequently honored for her contributions to the arts and her advocacy for various social causes.

Patricia Routledge

The cherished British actress passed away on October 3 at the age of 96. She was globally recognized for her comedic brilliance in the role of Hyacinth Bucket in the television series ‘Keeping Up Appearances’. Beyond her screen success she was an accomplished stage performer and singer with a professional career dating back to the 1950s. She received a Tony Award for her work on Broadway in ‘Darling of the Day’ showcasing her musical talent. Routledge remained a household name for her ability to bring complex and humorous characters to life.

Prunella Scales

The veteran British actress died on October 27 at the age of 93. She became an icon of British comedy for her portrayal of Sybil Fawlty in the legendary sitcom ‘Fawlty Towers’. Throughout her lengthy career she performed in numerous theatrical productions and television series including ‘Mapp & Lucia’. Scales was also well known for her series ‘Great Canal Journeys’ which documented her travels through various waterways. Her work earned her several honors for services to drama and she remained a favorite among audiences for generations.

Kamini Kaushal

The legendary Indian actress passed away on November 14 at the age of 98. She was a prominent leading lady in Hindi cinema during the late 1940s and 1950s starring in films like ‘Neecha Nagar’. Kaushal was the first lead actress to win a Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance in ‘Biraj Bahu’. In addition to her acting career she was a noted writer of children’s stories and a television producer. Her longevity in the industry allowed her to transition gracefully into character roles in later decades.

Kim Ji-mi

The legendary South Korean actress passed away on December 9 at the age of 85. Often referred to as a defining icon of Korean cinema she starred in hundreds of films throughout her illustrious career. She won several prestigious honors including multiple Grand Bell Awards for her contributions to the film industry. Beyond acting she was a significant figure in film production and served as a leader in various cinematic organizations. Her work helped define the evolution of modern South Korean cinema for global audiences.

Vera Alentova

The distinguished Russian actress died on December 25 at the age of 83. She was best known internationally for her leading role in the film ‘Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears’ which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Her performance in that movie made her a household name across the Soviet Union and beyond. She spent much of her career at the Pushkin Theatre in Moscow where she performed in a wide variety of dramatic roles. Alentova was recognized as a People’s Artist of Russia for her significant impact on the performing arts.

Brigitte Bardot

The world-renowned French cinema icon passed away on December 28 at the age of 91. She became a global symbol of beauty and liberation following her breakout role in the film ‘And God Created Woman’. Beyond her acting career she dedicated decades of her life to animal rights activism through her eponymous foundation. Her influence on fashion and culture remained significant long after she retired from the screen in the 1970s. She is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of European cinema.

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