Jim Paratore -- the man who founded TMZ and created a slew of hit shows including "Ellen" and "Rosie" -- died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday during a bike trip in France.

Jim was President of Telepictures -- a division of Warner Bros. --  when he dreamed up the idea of getting into the digital business back in 2006.  Jim and Harvey developed the concept of TMZ ... and Jim sold it to the big wigs, which was no small feat.

Jim was a driving force behind TMZ.com and then was critical in creating the TMZ television show. 

Jim was a huge force in the TV business.  After Ellen DeGeneres came out, no one wanted to take a chance on her.  Jim recognized her great talent and literally went station to station across the country and convinced very nervous and reluctant general managers that they should take a chance on her -- that she was a talent who could connect with and touch everyone ... and Jim was right.

My friend, producer and champion Jim Paratore died today. He gave me a chance when no one else would. I love you, Jim.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 29, 2012

Jim was a triple threat -- an amazingly creative guy who never let convention get in the way of a good idea.  He was also a great producer who could execute the ideas that were in his head.  And he was the best salesman in the world -- Jim could convince anyone of anything.

His list of credits is endless.  On his watch, a slew of shows were produced, including "The People's Court," "The Bachelor," "Extra," "Judge Mathis"  and on and on.

He was also hilarious.

Jim is survived by his wife, Jill Wickert, and his daughter, Martinique Paratore.

Everyone at TMZ was touched by Jim's brilliance and the loss is great and painful. 

Jim was 58.

Authorities will perform an autopsy on Johnny Tapia today -- two days after the former boxing champ was mysteriously found dead in his home ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us the New Mexico Medical Examiner's Office has scheduled the autopsy ... which will include toxicology testing to determine an exact cause of death.

As we previously reported, the five time champ's body was found by a family member on Sunday evening. Police have said there was nothing suspicious about the death.

Tapia was 45 years old.

Boxer Johnny Tapia was found dead Sunday in New Mexico, this according to local police.

Family members say Albuquerque police were summoned to Tapia's house at 7:45 PM Sunday by a family member who discovered the body.

Cops say the death does not appear suspicious, but an official cause has not been determined.

Tapia is a 5-time world champ.  His life was marked by tragedy.  Tapia's dad was murdered while his mom was pregnant with him.  And when Tapia was 8, his mother was kidnapped, raped and hanged. 

Tapia was admitted to the hospital in 2007 in critical condition from a cocaine OD.  The day after he was admitted, his brother-in-law and nephew were killed in a car accident on their way to visit him.

An autopsy is pending.

Donna Summer's private funeral ceremony in Nashville is officially over -- and the singer's casket is now on its way to its final resting place ... wherever that may be.

As we reported, approximately 1,000 of the Queen of Disco's family and friends -- including famed music producers David Foster and Giorgio Moroder -- attended the invitation-only service to pay their last respects.

The legendary 5-time Grammy winner passed away last week in Florida after a battle with lung cancer. She was 63.

TMZ has obtained a copy of Donna Summer's funeral program -- detailing the order of events currently taking place at the private ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.

According to the document, Donna's family -- her sisters especially -- are heavily involved in the proceedings, singing "We've Come This Far By Faith." Donna's brother Ricky Gaines is also speaking.

According to the program, several of Donna's girlfriends will share anecdotal "girlfriend stories."

Famed music producer David Foster -- who produced a lot of music with Donna -- is participating in a song called "The Prayer."

If you're wondering who Rick Dohler is -- that's Donna's daughter's husband.

The program also includes a Psalm dedicated to Donna about "a wife of noble character."

Donna Summer's funeral is underway right now in Tennessee -- and TMZ has learned, several legends in the music biz are present ... including famed producer David Foster.

In addition to producing several tracks for Donna Summer -- Foster has worked with practically every other singer on the planet ... including Michael Jackson, The Bee Gees, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Prince, Madonna ... the list goes on.

Sources tell us, Italian record producer Giorgio Moroder is also present at the funeral. Moroder produced several disco hits with Summer, including "Love to Love You Baby" and "I Feel Love."

We're told Donna's casket is covered in white roses. The singer's entire family is also at the ceremony.

As we reported yesterday, the private invitation-only ceremony is taking place in Nashville -- and roughly 1,000 people are attending.

Donna passed away in Florida last week after battling lung cancer. She was 63.

As we reported, "Disco Queen" Donna Summer will be laid to rest Wednesday during a private ceremony at a church in Nashville, TN.

We're told the church is expecting a capacity crowd -- roughly 1,000 people -- but the service is invitation only.

The family is adamant ... they don't want the ceremony to become a media spectacle and they've put together a strict guest list consisting of close friends and family members.

It's unclear if any of Donna's famous friends will attend -- but we're told people are flying in from all over the country.

TMZ broke the story ... Donna passed away in Florida last week after battling lung cancer. She was 63.

John Travolta has released a statement on the passing of Bee Gees co-founder Robin Gibb ... calling the music legend one of the most "wonderful" people he's ever met.

Robin -- along with his brothers Barry and Maurice -- put together the soundtrack for the 1977 disco classic "Saturday Night Fever" ... the flick that helped propel a young John Travolta to become an international movie star.

Travolta tells TMZ, "I thought Robin was one of the most wonderful people -- gifted, generous, and a real friend to everyone he knew. And we'll miss him."

Robin Gibb, one-third of the legendary group the Bee Gees, died Sunday after a long battle with cancer. He was 62. 

His spokesperson released a statement that reads, "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

Gibb was diagnosed two years ago with colon and liver cancer. He had been hospitalized several times in the last few years, most recently last month with pneumonia.

Gibb was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994 and the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three years later.

The soundtrack album to "Saturday Night Fever" was the top-selling album until Michael Jackson's "Thriller" took the title.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was one of several family members and friends in attendance at the funeral of Mary Kennedy ... held today in Bedford, NY. 

Kennedy, 52, was found dead in her Mount Kisco, New York home on Wednesday afternoon. The Westchester County medical examiner ruled she died as a result of asphyxiation by hanging.

Celebs at the funeral today included Maria Schriver, Glenn Close, Edward James Olmos, Chevy Chase, Caroline Kennedy, Larry David, Dan Akroyd, John McEroe, and Andre Balazs.

Donna Summer's family has scheduled a memorial for the Disco Queen -- and TMZ has learned, it will take place next Wednesday in Nashville.

It is not a public memorial. The memorial will only be attended by close friends and family.

Donna and her family moved to Nashville in 1994 -- and sources tell TMZ, Donna's family chose the city specifically because it was her home and was always extremely close to her heart. Nashville's also a cultural epicenter in the music world, so it just makes sense.

TMZ broke the story ... Donna passed away today in Florida due to complications from lung cancer.

She was 63.