Celebrity health news dominated our feeds this year, whether because these famous men and women were confronting life-threatening illness, navigating chronic disease, or defying weight loss stigma.
Their stories offer moments of inspiration, education, and, in some cases, hope.
Diane Keaton Died of Pneumonia
In October, the Oscar-winning actor Diane Keaton died at age 79 from pneumonia — “heartbreaking for everyone who loved her,” and unexpected, according to an interview with her family in People. They reported that the vibrant movie star’s health declined very suddenly in just a few months.
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs, making it difficult for the body to get enough oxygen. While many people recover fully, older adults face a much higher risk of severe illness and death.
Serena Williams Opened Up About Taking a GLP-1 Medication
In August the tennis champion Serena Williams revealed she has been using a GLP-1 medication for weight management and became a spokesperson for Ro, a telehealth GLP-1 provider.
Williams said she struggled to lose weight after having children, despite intense training and healthy eating, and described feeling physically and mentally better since starting the medication. GLP-1 drugs, originally developed for diabetes, are now widely prescribed for obesity — but some people taking them still feel shame.
“I feel like a lot of people have this stigma on GLP-1s and say things like, ‘Oh, lazy people do it,’ or ‘If you’re working hard enough, you don’t need that,’” said Williams in an interview with Vogue.
“I know for a fact from my experience that it’s simply not true. Sometimes you need help,” she said.
Her comments have helped reduce stigma and highlight that weight management is complex — everyone’s journey is different.
Eric Dane Battled ALS
In April the actor Eric Dane, best known for his roles on Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, shared that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Dane, now 53, said in a subsequent interview that he’d already lost the use of his right arm and expected further progression of the disease, which gradually affects mobility, speech, and swallowing.
ALS is a rare, degenerative neurological condition with no cure, though medications and supportive therapies can slow symptom progression and help people maintain independence longer.
Barry Manilow Announced a Lung Cancer Diagnosis
The singer-songwriter Barry Manilow revealed in December that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer after doctors discovered a cancerous spot on his left lung.
In a statement shared with fans, Manilow said he felt no symptoms. “It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early,” he wrote.
Manilow, now in his early eighties, has previously spoken openly about his health, including living with atrial fibrillation (afib), which he discovered more than a decade ago.
Billy Joel Canceled Concerts Because of a Rare Brain Disorder
The music icon Billy Joel, 76, announced in May that he was stepping away from live performances after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a neurological condition caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
NPH can affect balance, walking, memory, vision, and bladder control, and it most commonly occurs in adults older than 65. Unlike many neurological conditions, NPH is often treatable when diagnosed early; surgery is used to drain excess fluid.
Gene Hackman and His Wife, Betsy Arakawa, Died; Hantavirus Made Headlines
The final autopsy findings revealed that Gene Hackman had died in February at age 95 from a combination of severe heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s disease, about a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious respiratory illness spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Although infections are uncommon in the United States, the disease is fatal in a significant percentage of cases, as Arakawa’s death revealed.
The couple’s passing also drew attention to the vulnerabilities faced by older adults living with advanced cognitive impairment.
James Van Der Beek Shared His Colorectal Cancer Journey
The actor James Van Der Beek, known for Dawson’s Creek, revealed at the end of 2024, when he was 47, that he’d been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, placing him among a growing group of people affected by early-onset disease. He shared updates on his health throughout 2025.
Rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults have risen sharply over the past few decades, with about 1 in 10 new diagnoses now occurring in people younger than 50.
In December Van Der Beek said he continues to undergo treatment and described the experience as physically and emotionally demanding, but noted that he has been feeling better in recent months.
Ozzy Osbourne Died of a Heart Attack After Years of Living With Parkinson’s
The rock legend Ozzy Osbourne died in July at age 76 of a heart attack, according to his death certificate, which also listed coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease as contributing factors.
Osbourne had spoken publicly for years about living with Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can also disrupt blood pressure and heart rate.
His death came just weeks after a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England, where he reunited with Black Sabbath for what became his final public performance.
MTV VJ Ananda Lewis Passed Away From Breast Cancer
The former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis died in June at age 52 of breast cancer, several years after she first shared her diagnosis publicly.
Lewis revealed in 2020 that she had delayed getting mammograms because she feared radiation exposure, later calling that decision a mistake. By the time her cancer was detected, it had already reached an advanced stage.
Lewis also chose to forego the double mastectomy that her doctors recommended and tried alternative therapies instead — another decision that she came to regret as the cancer metastasized. “Prevention is the real cure,” she later said.
Dick Van Dyke Turned 100
The actor and entertainer Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday in December, earning the title of centenarian and sparking conversation about what healthy aging can look like beyond simply living longer.
Van Dyke has credited regular movement, optimism, and strong social connections for helping him stay mobile and engaged. He continues to exercise several times a week, practices stretching and yoga, and prioritizes time with family and creative pursuits.
The actor personifies a growing awareness that our collective goal should be to extend our health span rather than simply our lifespan, and that it’s possible to maintain physical and cognitive function with strong mental and physical habits.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
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Resources
Phillipp C. Diane Keaton’s Family Shares Her Cause of Death, Thanks Fans for Their ‘Love and Support’ (Exclusive). People. October 16, 2025.
Anbouba M. Serena Williams Opens Up About Being on a GLP-1. Vogue. August 21, 2025.
Comiter J. Barry Manilow's Health: Everything the Singer Has Said About His Cancer Diagnosis and Heart Condition. People. December 23, 2025.
Etienne V. What Is Hantavirus? All About the Rare Disease Spread by Rats That Led to Betsy Hackman’s Death. People. March 7, 2025.
Pawlowski A. James Van Der Beek Reacts to Concern Over His Appearance on 'Dawson's Creek' Reunion. Today. December 19, 2025.
Marshall A. Ozzy Osbourne Died of a Heart Attack, Death Certificate Shows. The New York Times. August 5, 2025.
Edel V et al. Ananda Lewis, Former MTV VJ and Talk Show Host, Dies at 52. People. June 11, 2025.
Onque R. Van Dyke’s 100th Birthday: His Tips for a Long, Healthy Life — ‘Sometimes I Feel Like I’m 15 Again.’. CNBC. December 13, 2025.
Emily Kay Votruba has copy edited and fact-checked for national magazines, websites, and books since 1997, including Self, GQ, Gourmet, Golf Magazine,Outside, Cornell University Press, Penguin Random House, and Harper's Magazine. Her projects have included cookbooks (Padma Lakshmi's Tangy Tart Hot & Sweet), self-help and advice titles (Mika Brzezinski's Know Your Value: Women, Money, and Getting What You're Worth), memoirs (Larry King's My Remarkable Journey), and science (Now You See It: How the Brain Science of Attention Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Learn, by Cathy Davidson). She started freelancing for Everyday Health in 2016.
Becky Upham has worked throughout the health and wellness world for over 25 years. She's been a race director, a team recruiter for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a salesperson for a major pharmaceutical company, a blogger for Moogfest, a communications manager for Mission Health, a fitness instructor, and a health coach.
Upham majored in English at the University of North Carolina and has a master's in English writing from Hollins University.
Upham enjoys teaching cycling classes, running, reading fiction, and making playlists.
