Gene Hackman pimp-slapped a homeless man who physically threatened the actor and his wife outside a New Mexico restaurant ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the incident went down Tuesday as Hackman and his wife were leaving a Santa Fe restaurant. We're told a homeless guy named Bruce Becker approached them in a threatening manner.

We're told the incident escalated big time when Becker called Hackman's wife a "c**t" -- and then Hackman dished out some street justice ... slapping Becker across the face.

Becker then called the cops to report the incident.

We're told cops interviewed Hackman and his wife, determined the slap was in self-defense ... and, for now, no charges have been filed.

If George Lucas wasn't rich before, he sure as hell is now -- because Disney just bought his movie company Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 BILLION ... and has already announced a NEW STAR WARS MOVIE!!!

Lucas said in a statement, "It's now time for me to pass 'Star Wars' on to a new generation of filmmakers." According to Disney, "Star Wars: Episode 7" is slated for release in 2015.

Lucas will be a "creative consultant" on all new "Star Wars" films.

It's pretty crazy ... considering Lucas said he would never make another "Star Wars" movie -- telling the New York Times, "Why would I make any more, when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?"

Lucas even told us directly back in March ... "Star Wars" was DEAD forever.

At least one of Octomom's kids watched her masturbation video ... according to one of Octo's former nannies.

TMZ has obtained correspondence between nanny Gina B and the Orange County Dept. of Children and Family Services ... in which she claims on June 28, Nadya ran to her crying, claiming she found her oldest son watching porn on his phone.

The nanny says the 11-year-old had found the website that posted his mom's masturbation video and decided to sneak a peek.  The nanny says Octo handed her the phone and asked her to block the site, but when the nanny said she needed a passcode, Octo told her to forget it.

The nanny says Octo told her she and her then-boyfriend Frankie would have a chit-chat with the kid about staying off porn sites ... especially hers.

If there was one bright spot in the chaos of Hurricane Sandy ... it was the strength and resolve of Coco Austin ... who braved rain and winds to make sure the masses would still get the opportunity to ogle her breasts.

Coco played the role of weather girl last night ... giving a play-by-play of the storm from her balcony in New Jersey.

Like a true pro, Coco stayed focused ... and refused to let the wind blow her jacket over her boobs during her report.

Bravo, Coco ... bravo.

The people taking care of Octomom's kids while she's in rehab couldn't be happier the mom of 14 is out of their hair -- in fact, one of the children's caretakers tells TMZ, it's WAY easier to do their jobs now that Octo's gone.

Octo has 3 nannies and 2 friends helping her with the kids while she seeks treatment -- and one nanny tells TMZ,  Octo's been calling twice a day from rehab, giving specific directions about how to care for each child.

The nanny says it's been helpful to hear from her, but it's a MILLION times easier to actually take care of the kids when she's not in the house constantly barking orders.

The nanny tells us, the house is much, much calmer than normal now that Octo's gone -- and the kids are in great spirits, behaving like angels.


It's a far cry from the photos we posted in April that resulted in a child services investigation against Octo -- real name Nadya Suleman -- showing the kids pooping outside and crazy graffiti.


The nanny says Octo will get to visit the children for the first time on Saturday and she's really excited. "She's been crying a lot," the nanny tells us.

As we reported, Octo entered a 30-day treatment program over the weekend for her Xanax dependency.

Kelsey Grammer's 3-month-old daughter was surrounded by hot chicks, booze ... and velvet ... at the Playboy Mansion Halloween party -- and TMZ has the pic to prove it.

We broke the story ... Kelsey brought baby Faith to the annual bash this weekend ... where she slept in her tiny car seat well past midnight while music BLARED and drunk people stumbled by.

In the pic, obtained by TMZ ... Faith is being monitored by an unknown hot chick -- who appears to be drinking -- with some empty and half-empty cups right next to the baby. It's unclear if the woman is by herself or with other people.

A source close to Kelsey tells us ... the actor doesn't feel he did anything wrong ... insisting Faith was safely cared for during the party and was never in harm's way.

So, we gotta ask ...

Nadya Suleman has checked herself into rehab for a prescription drug problem ... leaving her 14 kids without a mother for 30 straight days ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for Octomom tells us ... Nadya admitted herself into the Chapman House Drug Rehabilitation Center in Southern California over the weekend after acknowledging she's become dependent on Xanax ... an anti-anxiety drug ... which she began taking to "deal with stress."

Suleman's rep tells us, "Nadya wanted to get off the Xanax she was prescribed by her doctor and learn to deal with her stress, exhaustion and anxiety with professional help with a team of doctors. Nadya wanted to deal with her issues and make sure she is the best mother she can be.”

TMZ has obtained photos of Nadya on her way to the treatment center (above).

As for the kids ... we're told Nadya is using 3 nannies and 2 friends to divvy up the child care duties. She also has a driver to take the kids to and from school.

Neither Nadya's mother nor father have been tapped to care for the kids.

We're told Nadya can afford to pay for treatment by herself -- because she's been making a ton of money from her porn career -- but the rehab facility offered to pick up the tab anyway.

Keith Urban celebrated his birthday by stuffing his 45-year-old country bits into a tiny pair of man panties in France this weekend.

The Australian singer took a break from keeping Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj from killing each other at "American Idol" auditions to flash his wet, toned and tatted up torso at a hotel pool.

Mr. Nicole Kidman is the whole package.

Donnie Wahlberg's cereal bowl was floating across his kitchen last night ... after his apartment flooded due to Hurricane Sandy ... and he documented the entire situation on camera.

Wahlberg shot footage of himself sloshing his way through his flooded apartment ... a situation that became very common across the East Coast yesterday.

The New Kids on the Block member tweeted, "My entire building is under a foot of water. Awesome neighbors all banding together to help each other! Stay safe!"

A short time later, Wahlberg posted an update -- "Safe & Sound on Higher Ground! Don't worry about me. Material things are meaningless. Check in with those you know in the storm!"

Currently, an estimated 7 million people are still without electricity ... 168 people are stranded throughout NYC ... and at least 16 people have died as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Kris Jenner is on the hunt to find the lying scumbag who called in a FALSE report to authorities that her kids, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, are living in danger ... TMZ has learned. 

As we previously reported, the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services launched an investigation into the K-family last week after receiving a tip from an anonymous caller.

The tip was determined to be bogus ... and we're told Kris believes the culprit is a tabloid reporter who was trying to make up a story.

Now, a rep for the Kardashian family tells TMZ the accusations are nothing short of "ridiculous" ... adding, "It's such a shame that anyone can make up such hurtful and hideous untruths especially when children are involved."

The rep continues, "We are taking this matter very seriously and investigating to find out who is responsible for fabricating such a terrible story and will take the necessary legal action so that this does not happen again."

This video is INSANE!!! A Halloween partier dressed as a Ghostbuster climbs on a police car in Eastern Canada this weekend and does a BACKFLIP over one very angry cop. But what happens next is even crazier.

The ghostbuster sticks the landing, but the cop is PISSED -- grabbing the ghostbuster by the collar ... and saying, "You're a smart ass ... come here!"

Another cop rushes towards the ghostbuster -- slamming him against the cop car ... and warning, "Don't you f*ckin' move ... don't f*ckin' do that ... you stupid idiot."

The cops then handcuff the ghostbuster and place him under arrest for mischief and for being drunk in a public place.

After the man is in custody, the cops turn to the photog ... and demand he turn off his camera saying, "You wanna be under arrest too?" The video cuts off right after the warning.

TMZ spoke with the photog who tells us ... the ghostbuster was taken to a nearby station and was thrown in the drunk tank ... but was released a short time later.  

Oh, and here's a shocker ... we're told the ghostbuster had been drinking heavily before the stunt.