R.I.P.
5/16/2012 1:32 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Mary Kennedy
Dead at 52

Breaking News
Mary Kennedy, the wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has died
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s estranged wife has died.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, 52-year-old Mary Kennedy was found dead in her Mount Kisco, New York home this afternoon.

The Bedford Police Department responded to the scene at approximately 1:36pm to investigate a possible "unattended death," meaning the death was not witnessed by anyone.

0516_mays_house_topviewMary and RFK Jr. were married in 1994. Robert filed for divorce in May 2010. Mary was Robert's second wife. The couple has four children together.

There are reports Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is currently dating actress Cheryl Hines.

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Three days after Robert filed divorce papers in 2010, Mary was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

A spokesperson for Mary's family just released a statement, claiming, “We  deeply regret the death of our beloved sister Mary, whose radiant and creative spirit will be sorely missed by those who loved her. Our heart goes out to  her children who she loved without reservation."

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5/16/2012 12:35 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

'Swamp People' Star
The Emotional Tribute
to Mitchell Guist

Exclusive
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"Swamp People" star Mitchell Guist was testing out a new houseboat he was building at the time of his death ... a dream project he had worked on for months ... and now one of his co-stars has vowed to finish the job as a last tribute to the fallen reality star.

The man behind the promise is Glenn Guist -- Mitchell's bearded brother and best friend -- who is often featured hunting critters with Mitchell on "Swamp People."

Glenn's manager tells TMZ ... he's pretty broken up about the sudden unexpected death of his brother ... but he's doing better then they all expected, considering how close they were.

We're told Glenn knew how passionate Mitchell was about the houseboat project ... and believes completing the project will be the best way to honor his brother's memory.

As we previously reported, Mitchell passed away Monday after apparently suffering a seizure while on the bayou in Louisiana.

A funeral service is set for this week at a local church -- and Glenn's rep say he will begin work on the boat "after everything is taken care of with Mitchell."

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5/14/2012 9:58 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Mitchell Guist 'Swamp People' Star
Dies in Louisiana [Update]

Exclusive Details
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update_bar
10:19 AM PDT --
Law enforcement sources tell us ... Mitchell was out in his boat along the Belle River ... when he "fell." Witnesses say he appeared to have been suffering from a seizure.

We're told another person on the boat returned the vessel to the dock and called 911. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and transported Mitchell to a nearby hospital ... but it was too late.

12:15 PM PDT -- A rep for the History Channel tells us, "We are extremely saddened to report that our friend and beloved member of the Swamp People family, Mitchell Guist, has passed away earlier today. Mitchell passed on the swamp, doing what he love."

4:11 PM PDT -- The 911 call, placed moments after Mitchell Guist fell, was just released to a local news station. According to the caller, Mitchell had a seizure then went into cardiac arrest.

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Mitchell Guist
-- one of the bearded alligator-hunting brothers featured on the reality show "Swamp People" -- has died.

According to WBRZ.com, Mitchell was discovered at 9 AM in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... someone tried to perform CPR on Guist ... but attempts to resuscitate the reality star were unsuccessful.

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Sources close to Mitchell tell us ... Guist had recently fallen ill ... but the nature of his illness is still unclear.

Story developing ...

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5/12/2012 1:00 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Auto Legend Carroll Shelby
The Chili Community Mourns Death of a Legend

Exclusive
0512_carroll_shelby_getty
The late Carroll Shelby didn't just invent one of the coolest sports cars ever ... he also INVENTED THE WORLD CHILI COOKOFF ... and TMZ has learned the chili community is planning a memorial to honor their spicy savory king.

TMZ spoke with Ed Blair -- President of the Chili Appreciation Society International -- who tells us Shelby will be honored at the Terlingua International Chili Championship (think Super Bowl of chili).

According to Blair, Shelby's image will be featured on a memorial board ... along with other chili legends who died in the past year.

89-year-old Shelby passed away on Friday ... it's unclear if chili consumption played a role in his death.

R.I.P.
5/11/2012 1:15 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Auto Legend Carroll Shelby
Dead at 89

Breaking News
Carroll Shelby has died
Legendary car designer and racing driver Carroll Shelby has died.

Shelby is known for introducing the Shelby AC Cobra to the United States in the 1960s -- combining an English sports car chassis with an American Mustang engine.

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A rep for Shelby's company Carroll Shelby International says Shelby died today at a Dallas hospital. He had received a heart transplant in 1990 and a kidney transplant in 1996.

As a driver -- Shelby first gained fame by winning France's arduous 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959.

He was 89.
R.I.P.
5/9/2012 12:44 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Vidal Sassoon
Dead at 84

Breaking News
0509_vidal_sassoon_article_3
World-renowned hair stylist and fashion icon Vidal Sassoon has died.

According to reports, Sassoon passed away today from an unspecified illness at his home on Mulholland Drive in Hollywood. His family was by his side.

Vidal is credited with creating the famous haircut called the "bob."

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Vidal was reportedly diagnosed with leukemia in 2009. It's unclear what role the cancer played in his death.

The hair icon was married four times -- most recently to Rhonda Sassoon in 1992, who stayed with him until his death. He is also survived by three children. Vidal was 84.

Vidal seemed pretty healthy right up until the end -- in fact, we spoke to him just last week ... and he gave us some pretty useful hair tips.

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R.I.P.
5/8/2012 6:10 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

'Where the Wild Things Are'
Author Dies at 83

Breaking News
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It's a terrible day for terrible creatures ... 'cause the man who wrote the children's classic, "Where the Wild Things Are" has died.

Maurice Sendak -- who not only wrote the book but ALSO drew the iconic "Wild Things" images -- passed away early this morning at a hospital in Connecticut after suffering a stroke on Friday.

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"Where the Wild Things Are" was first published in 1963 ... and was adapted into a major motion picture in 2009 ... the same year President Obama read the book to children at the White House Easter Egg Roll.



Maurice was 83.
5/6/2012 2:54 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Junior Seau Fans
'Paddle Out' to Honor Him

Exclusive Photo
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Junior Seau
was honored today when more than 1,000 people "paddled out" in the ocean to pay their respects to the NFL legend.

The water-based memorial took place in Oceanside, CA this afternoon -- directly in front of his beachfront home -- and allowed friends, neighbors and locals to mourn the superstar together. Surfers were heard chanting his name and jersey number as they gathered in the ocean.

Seau was known to be an avid surfer.

Seau died Wednesday from a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the chest. He was 43.

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R.I.P.
5/6/2012 9:53 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

George 'Goober' Lindsey
'Andy Griffith Show' Star
Dead at 83

Breaking News
George Lindsey has died
George Lindsey -- who appeared on such classic TV shows as "The Andy Griffith Show," "Gunsmoke" and "Hee Haw" -- died Sunday morning after an extended illness. He was 83.

Lindsey -- who grew up in Jasper, Alabama -- will be buried there, reports WSFA in Tennessee ... but no plans have been made yet. 

Lindsey was probably best known for playing Goober on "The Andy Griffith Show." He got the part after originally auditioning for the role of Gomer Pyle, but lost out to Jim Nabors.



R.I.P.
5/4/2012 9:54 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

'Beastie Boys' MCA
Dead at 47

Breaking News
0504-adam-yauch-getty-new
update_bar
11:30 AM PT -- MCA's publicist just released a statement, writing, "It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam 'MCA' Yauch ... passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer. He was 47 years old."

1:00 PM PT -- A rep for the Dalai Lama -- of whom MCA was a huge supporter -- tells TMZ, "Adam had helped us raise awareness on the plight of the Tibetan people by organizing various freedom Tibet concerts and he will be remembered by his holiness and the Tibetan people."

Adam met several times with the Dalai Lama while he was sick -- most recently last July, when the Dalai Lama blessed him.

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"Beastie Boys" rapper MCA -- real name Adam Yauch -- has died.

In 2009, MCA announced he was being treated for a cancerous parotid gland and a lymph node (below). He has since undergone surgery and radiation therapy.

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Russell Simmons' website GlobalGrind.com first reported the death. We have spoken to people independently connected to the rapper who also say he is dead.

MCA co-founded Beastie Boys in 1979 with Mike D, and Ad Rock ... and went on to churn out some of the most iconic albums in hip-hop ... including License to Ill, Paul's Boutique, Check Your Head and Ill Communication.

The group has won multiple Grammys and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.

The Beastie Boys haven't performed live since summer 2009 -- and during one of their last ever performances at Bonnaroo that June, MCA appeared noticeably less energetic than his group mates.

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MCA recently became a vegan at the recommendation of his Tibetan doctors.

The Beastie Boys' most recent music video was released last year for the song "Make Some Noise" -- and it stars a laundry list of A-listers, including Rashida Jones, Will Arnett, Rainn Wilson, Amy Poehler, Steve Buscemi, Kirsten Dunst, Zach Galifianakis, Orlando Bloom, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and Jack Black.



Yauch is survived by his wife and daughter. He was 47.

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R.I.P.
5/2/2012 3:30 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Seau Teammate Breaks Down
"I Missed Seeing Him
One Last Time"

050212_max_sitll 0503_junior_seau_teammate_audio
Junior Seau
's former teammate broke down in tears, live on the radio, moments after hearing about his death -- and wished he could have done something to save his friend.

Marcellus Wiley played with Seau as a San Diego Charger in 2001 and 2002 -- and now co-hosts the Max and Marcellus show on 710 ESPN in LA. 

Marcellus was on the air today when TMZ broke the news about Seau's death -- and immediately got emotional sharing memories of his teammate.

Take a listen, it's extremely poignant ... especially when Marcellus laments missing his last chance to hang out with Junior at a recent event.

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