70s Actors Who Passed Away in 2025 — and Sadly, Few Noticed

When a famous actor dies, the entertainment industry often pauses for a moment. These are the people whose movies filled theaters and whose TV series became part of everyday life. And when those performers pass away, it’s as if a wave of nostalgia sweeps over the world. This is especially true when they come from the unforgettable 1970s, a decade still loved for its bold stories and iconic personalities.

But sometimes, even stars we love fade from the public eye long before they die. Life changes, work slows down, and illnesses are kept private. Because of this, not everyone hears of their deaths right away. A few well-known actors from the 1970s died quietly in 2025, leaving admirers to rediscover and appreciate their earlier work long after the news had passed.

Here are some of those stars who made a big impact in the ’70s and then passed away in 2025 with little public attention.

Tony Roberts
Long before most moviegoers knew his name, Tony Roberts had a successful Broadway career. Theater audiences in the 1960s and 1970s saw him in several hit shows, and his lively stage presence soon earned him film opportunities.

During the 1970s, he became a familiar face in several notable movies. As the fast-talking best friend in one of the decade’s most popular romantic comedies, he established himself as a charming and reliable supporting actor. Roberts also appeared in significant crime dramas, two of which remain genre favorites. He worked across a wide range of projects—including comedies, thrillers, TV movies, and guest spots—showing that he never stopped working or adapting.

Roberts died of lung cancer at his home in New York City on February 7, 2025, at the age of 85. Even though his name hasn’t been in the news much in recent years, his work continues to appear on classic film lists and in streaming libraries, where new generations discover it every day.

Loni Anderson
Loni Anderson was one of the most captivating figures to emerge from late-1970s television. Audiences admired her glamorous appearance, but what truly set her apart was her sharp comedic timing and warm on-screen presence. She got her big break on a hit workplace sitcom set in an eccentric radio station, playing a receptionist who proved far smarter and more capable than people initially assumed. Her performances earned her several awards and made her a household name.

Anderson became a regular presence in TV movies, comedies, and family favorites throughout the 1980s and 1990s. She moved easily between drama and comedy, building a career that lasted for decades. Although she stepped out of the spotlight more as she grew older, fans of classic TV continued to admire her.

Anderson passed away on August 3, 2025, in Beverly Hills, just two days before her 80th birthday. She had been ill for a long time, and later reports confirmed that a rare form of uterine cancer was the cause. After her passing, many fans revisited the confident, endearing characters she brought to life.

Joe Don Baker
Before Joe Don Baker ever stepped onto a movie set, he had already led an eventful life. He played collegiate football in Texas, served in the Army, and then discovered acting—a natural fit for his tough demeanor and down-to-earth charm. He became a major box-office draw in the 1970s, gaining fame for portraying a real-life Tennessee sheriff whose fight for justice inspired several gritty action films. Baker’s commanding presence and straightforward style made him a perfect fit for crime and thriller movies in the decades that followed. He was instantly recognizable, whether playing a tough cop, a determined protector, or a hard-nosed mentor.

He continued acting into the 2000s before quietly retiring after appearing in a well-reviewed independent drama. Baker’s family did not reveal the cause of his death on May 7, 2025. He was 89. Because he had been out of the public eye for some time, his passing did not receive widespread attention. Still, fans of classic action cinema remember him as one of the genre’s toughest and most compelling figures.

Danielle Spencer
Before she was even a teenager, Danielle Spencer had already become a familiar face on television. At just 11 years old, she landed the role of a sharp-tongued younger sister on a hit sitcom set in 1970s Los Angeles. Thanks to her humorous, mischievous personality and believable delivery, her character quickly became a fan favorite.

After the show ended, Spencer made a surprising and admirable career change: she left Hollywood to become a veterinarian. She earned her degree, spent many years caring for animals, and occasionally returned to acting for special appearances, including a revival of her original show and a small role in a major ’90s film. Spencer passed away on August 11, 2025, at age 60, from complications of stomach cancer and cardiac arrest. Fans remembered how effortlessly she lit up the screen, even as a child.

Polly Holliday
Polly Holliday didn’t just join the cast of a popular sitcom—she elevated it. Playing a strong-willed waitress with a quick wit, she became one of the most memorable TV characters of the late 1970s. Her sharp quips and iconic one-liners made her a national favorite and earned her a spin-off series of her own.

Holliday’s career extended far beyond that role. She appeared in numerous TV dramas and comedies, starred in Broadway revivals, and delighted audiences with a comedic supporting role in a beloved 1980s creature film.

Holliday died at her home in New York on September 9, 2025. She was 88 years old and the last primary cast member of her famous sitcom to pass away. Even though she is gone, her catchphrases and scene-stealing moments will continue to live on through reruns and nostalgic clip reels.

In 2025, these actors may not have dominated the headlines, but their contributions to 1970s entertainment—and to popular culture as a whole—still resonate. Their work remains part of cultural history, quietly influencing the movies and television shows people enjoy today.