2025: In Memoriam and Living On with Hoopla
At the end of the year, we look ahead to the future while remembering the past. 2025 was a year of some notable celebrity deaths, and at Hoopla we’re proud to offer books, movies, TV shows, albums, and comics from people whose work will continue to shape our culture.
Hoopla’s Commemorative Collections
Hoopla’s collections offer a meaningful way to celebrate artists, performers, writers, and public figures we lost in 2025. Below, we highlight influential figures represented across Hoopla’s collection—grouped by their creative fields—to celebrate the legacies of creators and help ensure their work lives on.
Actors and Performers
Film and television history is defined by unforgettable performances, and Hoopla’s commemorative selections showcase the range and talent of several celebrated actors.
• Gene Hackman: – From Hoosiers to The Firm, his commanding presence shaped generations of moviegoers.
• Diane Keaton – With acclaimed roles in The Godfather Part II and Marvin’s Room, she brought depth and nuance to every project.
• Val Kilmer – Remembered for his intensity in Gun and The Ghost and the Darkness.
• Michael Madsen – Featured in Sins and Thelma & Louise, his gritty style became his hallmark.
• Jay North – Beloved for portraying television’s original Dennis the Menace. The complete Dennis the Menace series (all four seasons) is available on Hoopla.
• Robert Redford – Known for The Natural and The Candidate, his performances remain touchstones of American cinema.
• Rob Reiner – Actor and director of numerous films throughout multiple decades, including Wolf of Wall Street and The Princess Bride.
• Michelle Trachtenberg – A staple of ’90s and 2000s pop culture thanks to Harriet the Spy and Eurotrip.
Musicians and Recording Artists
Music lovers can revisit the catalogs of influential performers whose sounds continue to echo across genres.
• D’Angelo – Voodoo and Brown Sugar remain essential neo-soul classics.
• Angie Stone – Albums such as Black Diamond highlight her unmatched vocal warmth.
• Roberta Flack – Known for Killing Me Softly and Quiet Fire, her voice defined an era.
• Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath) – Heavy metal staples like Paranoid and War Pigs remain foundational.
• Sly Stone (Sly and the Family Stone) – With Back on the Right Track, his funk innovations changed music history.
• Brian Wilson (Beach Boys) – Pet Sounds stands as one of the most influential albums ever recorded.
• Ace Frehley – His music with KISS is legendary, and his solo work continues to energize.
Authors and Storytellers
Hoopla’s book collections help readers revisit the voices that shaped literature and popular nonfiction.
• Jane Goodall: – Titles like My Life with the Chimpanzees reflect a lifetime of scientific compassion.
• Joseph Wambaugh – His crime novels and nonfiction remain staples of the genre.
• George Foreman – Beyond boxing, his memoirs and entrepreneurial insights reach readers of all backgrounds.
Public Figures and Leaders
• Pope Francis – Hoopla offers an extensive collection of his writings and reflections.
• Dick Cheney – A collection that highlights his political career and perspective, including an audiobook written and read by Cheney and his daughter, Liz.
Honoring Legacies Through Hoopla
Hoopla offers a way to look back on the careers of creators lost in 2025 by enjoying the books, films, shows, and music that keep their legacies alive.
*Title availability may vary
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