LGBTQ+ Actors Who Passed Away In 2025

The year 2025 marked the loss of several influential figures within the entertainment industry who were prominent members of the LGBTQ+ community. These actors contributed to film and television and theater and helped pave the way for future generations of performers. Their legacies are defined by their talent as well as their courage to live authentically in the public eye. As we look back on their lives we celebrate the diverse roles they played and the impact they left on global culture.

Robert Machray

Stage and screen actor Robert Machray passed away on January 12 at the age of 79. He was well known for his roles in various television series and his extensive work in the Los Angeles theater scene. Machray appeared in popular shows such as ‘Life Goes On’ and ‘The Shield’ throughout his professional life. He was an openly gay actor who contributed significantly to the creative community during his long and productive career.

Tony Slattery

Tony Slattery was a fixture of British comedy and a frequent guest on ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’ before passing away on January 14 at the age of 65. He was an influential figure in the London improv scene and performed in numerous West End productions. Slattery was open about his bisexual orientation and his struggles with health throughout his later career. His quick wit and versatile talent made him one of the most recognizable faces in television during the nineties.

Simon Fisher-Becker

Character actor Simon Fisher-Becker passed away on March 9 at the age of 63. He was widely recognized by fans for his role as Dorium Maldovar in the long-running series ‘Doctor Who’. Beyond his work in science fiction he was a dedicated stage performer and appeared in the film ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ as the Fat Friar. Fisher-Becker was an openly gay man who contributed to many independent projects and fan conventions throughout his professional life.

Robert Trebor

Robert Trebor was a versatile performer who died on March 11 at the age of 71. He was widely recognized by audiences for his role as Salmoneus in the popular series ‘Hercules: The Legendary Journeys’ and ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’. Trebor also appeared in films like ’52 Pick-Up’ and the comedy ‘The Purple Rose of Cairo’. He was an openly gay man whose career spanned decades across film and television and theater.

Antonio Gasalla

The revered Argentine actor and comedian Antonio Gasalla died on March 18 at 84 years old. He was a major figure in Latin American entertainment known for his sharp satirical characters on television and in the theater. Gasalla was a pioneering figure who lived his life as an openly gay man in an industry that was often socially conservative. His work in productions like ‘Waiting for the Hearse’ solidified his status as a cultural icon in his home country.

Richard Chamberlain

The iconic actor Richard Chamberlain best known for his leading role in ‘Dr. Kildare’ passed away on March 29 at the age of 90. He gained international fame as a heartthrob in the 1960s and later became a celebrated figure in television miniseries such as ‘The Thorn Birds’. Chamberlain publicly came out in his 2003 memoir which served as a significant moment for representation in Hollywood. His career spanned six decades and included diverse roles on both the stage and the silver screen.

Mario Ernesto Sánchez

The Cuban-American actor and director Mario Ernesto Sánchez died on April 10 at the age of 78. He was a prominent figure in the Miami theater community and founded the Teatro Avante as well as the International Hispanic Theatre Festival. Sánchez appeared in various films and television projects throughout his career while championing Hispanic culture. He was a celebrated member of the LGBTQ+ community who dedicated his life to the arts and cultural preservation.

Eusebio Poncela

Spanish actor Eusebio Poncela passed away on August 27 at the age of 79. He was a key figure in the Spanish cultural movement known as La Movida Madrileña and collaborated with director Pedro Almodóvar on ‘Law of Desire’. Poncela was known for playing complex and often boundary-pushing characters that challenged traditional perceptions of gender and sexuality. His career left a lasting impact on European cinema through his fearless and provocative performances.

Björn Andrésen

Björn Andrésen died on October 25 at the age of 70 after a career that began with sudden international stardom. He rose to fame as a teenager in the 1971 film ‘Death in Venice’ where he was famously marketed as the most beautiful boy in the world. Andrésen spent much of his life navigating the legacy of that early objectification and its profound impact on his identity. He remained a significant figure in queer cultural history and continued to work in Swedish television projects throughout his life.

Udo Kier

Celebrated German actor Udo Kier died on November 23 at 81 years of age. Known for his intense screen presence he appeared in cult classics like ‘Flesh for Frankenstein’ and collaborated frequently with director Lars von Trier. Kier was a prolific performer with over two hundred film credits ranging from independent cinema to major Hollywood blockbusters. He was a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community and remained an active force in the acting world until his final year.

Stanley Baxter

The legendary Scottish comedian and actor Stanley Baxter died on December 11 at the age of 99. Baxter was a staple of British television known for his spectacular comedy specials and his incredible talent for impressions. He came out as gay in a biography published late in his life where he discussed the challenges of navigating his personal life in a different era. His influence on the world of variety entertainment and comedy remains a significant part of British broadcasting history.

Please share your favorite memories of these talented performers in the comments.