KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Dies at 74: Inside His Final Days

The legendary founding member of the rock and roll band passed away following a recent accident at home. Although he had initially assured fans he was recovering, his condition only worsened.

Ace Frehley, the iconic founding guitarist of KISS and Frehley's Comet, has died. Frehley passed away on Thursday evening, October 16, 2025, in Morristown, New Jersey. He was 74. His family confirmed his death in a statement published through multiple outlets.

"We are completely devastated and heartbroken," the family said. "In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth."

"We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others," the message continued. "The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace's memory will continue to live on forever!"

Prior to his death, Frehley had suffered a fall in September. At the time, his team shared an announcement on social media, saying he had a minor fall in his studio, resulting in a trip to the hospital.

The incident led to the cancellation of his performance at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California, which was scheduled for September 26. "He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time," the team reassured.

Less than two weeks later, on October 6, Frehley issued another announcement, canceling his remaining show dates for 2025 due to "some ongoing medical issues." Hours before news of his death broke, TMZ reported that the musician was hospitalized on life support.

He had suffered a second fall at his home, which caused a brain bleed. At the time of TMZ's report, he had been on a ventilator for a while and his family was said to be considering pulling him off life support.

A Bronx native who began learning the guitar as a teen, Frehley joined KISS in 1972 alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. He appeared in the band's first nine albums, cementing himself as one of the most influential guitarists in hard rock and heavy metal.

He departed from KISS in 1982 over creative differences, going on to pursue a solo career and forming his own band, Frehley's Comet. He later reunited with KISS in 1998, and left again — this time for good — in 2002. He went on to release nine solo albums, the first of which went platinum in 1978.

His former bandmates, Simmons and Criss, released a joint statement, remembering their friend. "I am devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley," the statement began.

"He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS's legacy," the message continued. "My thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world."

Frehley is survived by his wife, Jeanette; daughter Monique; brother Charles; sister Nancy; nieces Suncere and Julie; nephews Sky and Andrew; sister-in-law Michelanne; and brother-in-law Ron.