Joaquin Phoenix didn't wait long to walk the walk after mentioning the plight of mother cows and their babies in his Best Actor speech at the Academy Awards ... and a mama and her calf are living happily together because of it.

The "Joker" star visited a slaughterhouse run by Manning Beef in Pico Rivera, CA the day after the Oscars to have a sit-down talk with Anthony Di Maria, president and CEO of the company ... and it led to something remarkable.

Though the 2 butted heads over the nature of the industry, Phoenix and Di Maria found some common ground ... and the actor helped LA Animal Save liberate a mother cow and her newborn calf, a daughter.

Joaquin's seen carrying the baby cow away from the holding area where she was born and onto a trailer with her mom. The bovine family will now be able to live and grow together at a Farm Sanctuary location in northern L.A. County ... and they now have names.

Phoenix named the mama cow, Liberty, and the calf, Indigo.

Joaquin says ... "I never thought I’d find friendship in a slaughterhouse, but meeting Anthony and opening my heart to his, I realize we might have more in common than we do differences. Without his act of kindness, Liberty and her baby calf, Indigo, would have met a terrible demise."

He adds that he and animal rights activists like him will continue to "fight for the liberation of all animals who suffer in these oppressive systems" ... but he's happy about this victory.

Liberty and Indigo are the fifth set of mother and child cows saved by LA Animal Save ... but they're aiming for many more.

This isn't a first for Phoenix either. As we reported ... he passed on the SAG Awards after-parties last month and instead headed to a slaughterhouse, where he comforted trucks full of pigs on their way to be killed.

Joaquin joined dozens of protesters who congregate there twice a week, calling their demonstrations "pig vigils." Of course, Phoenix also reportedly convinced the Hollywood Foreign Press to serve an all-vegan menu at the Golden Globes.

Forget elephants and donkeys, David Letterman says our choice for President could come down to this ... do we want a wealthy man who eats like a pig, or one who eats like a bird?!?

We got Letterman Thursday in Los Angeles after lunch at Canter's Deli, and our guy asks which presidential candidate is more fun to have dinner with, Donald Trump or Michael Bloomberg???

Dave knows both men well, and he tells us why Trump and Bloomberg are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the dinner table.

Sorry Mike, Letterman says you're coming up short as far as appetites go. You've seen Bloomberg eat ice cream, right?!?

It's pretty funny ... Letterman launches into one of his classic bits when we try to grill him about the candidate with the gift of gab ... but he's definitely down for our table talk.

One thing both sides can agree on ... hors d'oeuvres don't belong near a toilet!!!

Lauren London's making it perfectly clear she's NOT dating Diddy or anyone else for that matter ... 'cause it'll be her and Nipsey Hussle 'til the end of time.

Lauren took to Instagram Thursday and posted a picture of the late rapper and captioned it "Still His! King Ermias! Never Forget!" And, for those who didn't get the message the first time she took it a step further and said, "Stop f***ing playing with me and my name. Now let me get back to healing."

The actress felt compelled to quash rumors she and Diddy are dating after Diddy reportedly posted -- and then deleted -- a couple of black and white pics of him and Lauren.

Diddy initially captioned the Instagram pics "#lostfiles ... @laurenlondon❤️." The pics, BTW, were taken at Jay-Z's Roc Nation Pre-Grammy brunch last month. Reports started to surface not long after speculating Diddy and Lauren were a thing. But, Lauren's not about to have it.

She also posted on her Instagram Story to make it crystal clear ... it's her and Nipsey forever.

For the record, Diddy eventually re-posted his pic with Lauren on his Instagram Story and captioned it "More Lost Files ... Me & My Sister @laurenlondon at the @rocnation brunch."

WORST POLE VAULTING INJURY EVER?!!?! Maybe ...

"I could see right into my scrotum."

That's probably the last thing you wanna say after a pole vault training sesh ... but it's exactly how BYU athlete Zach McWhorter is describing his pole vs. balls injury.

The 21-year-old was having a pretty typical training session at the BYU track -- recording it to post on TikTok -- when disaster struck.

At first, it seemed like a standard jump ... but McWhorter's pole didn't fall the way it supposed to and essentially impaled his scrotum.

YOWWWCH.

McWhorter told BuzzFeed he was immediately rushed to the hospital by his dad/coach/urologist ... where he needed 18 STITCHES to get patched up.

Luckily, the dude says he only has a scar from the incident. As for any permanent damage, McWhorter says "One day, we'll find out if they function or not."

Ice up, Zach. And, maybe wear a cup from now on??

Sy Sperling -- the founder and president of Hair Club for Men known for his TV commercials in the '80s and '90s -- has died in Florida.

Sperling died in Boca Raton after a lengthy illness ... according to his spokeswoman, Terri Lynn.

Sy's career path began being forged in the late '60s when he was a balding swimming pool salesman in New York City who'd grown tired of wearing toupees.

So, he took $10k in credit card debt to open a Madison Avenue salon and used a hair weaving technique he learned from a stylist to implement a system where a nylon mesh cap was glued to a person's scalp ... allowing their hair to grow through it, then additional matching hair purchased from women was woven into the mesh.

Sounds pretty odd, but business took off ... just not to the point where Sperling wanted it to be. Enter, the TV commercials.

Sy began advertising his hair replacement system on TV and went national in 1982, with spots running 400 times daily on late-night TV. They reportedly cost $12 million a year but generated 10,000 calls a month.

The ads featured before-and-after photos of happy customers, but ended with Sperling himself proclaiming ... "I'm not only the Hair Club president, but I'm also a client." They became a cultural phenomenon almost instantly.

The company's now simply referred to as Hair Club and began offering services for women in 1995. Sy retired in 2000 after selling the company for $45 mil. It's helped more than 600,000 clients restore their hair over the years.

Sperling is survived by his wife and 2 kids.

He was 78.

Kevin Hart wants the judge to throw out his sex tape lawsuit ... just like he says the legal papers were thrown out of a car window and left on his driveway.

According to new legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- the actor claims he was not properly served in the case filed against him by Montia Sabbag ... Hart's alleged sex tape partner who sued him for $60 million, claiming he and his friend conspired to tape their encounter.

Hart wants the suit dismissed because he claims the process server "simply threw a set of papers out of a car window in view of a security guard" outside the gate of his home.

The security guard's photos of the drive-by drop-off appear to show the legal papers lying on the ground outside the server's car. The security guard claims he doesn't live at Hart's residence, and wasn't authorized to accept service of a legal complaint.

Due to the improper service ... Hart wants the judge to dismiss the case.

We broke the story ... Sabbag sued Kevin back in September, alleging her 2017 encounter with him in a Vegas hotel room was all planned by Hart and J.T. Jackson -- his friend who was later charged for extortion.

JaVale McGee's music career has reached Justin Bieber status ... 'cause the L.A. Lakers star helped write and produce a song on the Biebs' new album!!

Yes, you read that correctly -- the 7-foot tall NBA center is a big-time music producer in his free time ... and officially got credit for his role in making Bieber's song, "Available," on his new project, "Changes."

Of course, McGee has dabbled in music for years ... and has worked with old Lakers teammates like Lonzo Ball in the studio in the past.

But, this is the first time McGee -- going by the pseudonym, "Pierre" -- has worked with someone on JB's level.

McGee has said in the past he's using his platform as an NBA player to push his music career ... and it's clearly working. It's Justin freakin' Bieber we're talking about here.

Pierre spoke about the opportunity, saying "I was blessed to write and produce on the song 'Available'! 2020 is about elevation and growth and following your dreams and this has always been one of mine to be a producer!"

As for the album ... it's well on its way top of the R&B charts after dropping on Valentine's Day.

McGee already has 2 NBA titles -- is a Grammy next?!?

Pop Smoke's death wasn't a robbery gone wrong ... it was a targeted hit ... and that conclusion is supported by surveillance video.

People who have seen the surveillance footage from outside the Hollywood Hills home where Pop was killed Wednesday morning tell us ... you see 4 men approach the home at around 4:30 AM and sneak around back.

A couple minutes pass before 3 of the 4 walk back up the side of the home to the front. The 4th apparently walked in the backdoor but no camera was trained on it. The next time you see the man, he exits through the front door of the house.

As we reported, multiple shots were fired inside the home and they only struck Pop Smoke, who was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

At first, it seemed like it might have been a robbery because the rapper posted a photo earlier in the day of a bunch of gifts ... one of which had his home address emblazoned on it. He also posted another pic hours before the shooting of himself and a friend in a car ... the friend is holding an enormous amount of cash.

But, here's the thing. The folks who have seen the surveillance video tell us the person inside the house -- presumably the shooter -- did not carry anything out. Given that he shot someone, it's doubtful he would take the time to stuff items in his pocket.

Pop Smoke was only 20 and already making a name for himself in music. His song, "Welcome to the Party" was remixed by Nicki Minaj and he appeared on Travis Scott's latest project "JACKBOYS." His mix tape charted #7 Tuesday on the Billboard 200.

Cleveland Browns lineman Greg Robinson -- the #2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft -- is in custody after officials say he was found with A LOT of marijuana at a border patrol checkpoint.

We're told Robinson was stopped on Monday at the Sierra Blanca border checkpoint near the U.S., Mexico border. We're still working on the details surrounding the arrest.

Jail records show Robinson is still in custody and we're told he's facing a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute.

27-year-old Robinson was an absolute stud back in his college days -- making 1st Team All-SEC during his 2013 season at Auburn.

The NFL scouts drooled over Robinson -- he's 6'5", 332 pounds -- and when the Rams took him with the #2 pick in 2014, they signed him to a fully guaranteed 4-year $21 million contract.

The bad news for the Rams ... he didn't live up to the hype so they traded him to the Detroit Lions for a 6th round pick in 2017. The Browns signed Robinson in 2018 and re-signed him in 2019.

Sources tell us the Browns recently informed Robinson they would not be bringing him back for the 2020 season.

Robinson has reportedly made more than $29 million in contract money during his NFL career.

We reached out to Robinson's rep and the Cleveland Browns -- so far, no comment from either.

President Trump's Beverly Hills fundraiser featured a fire menu as far as appetizers are concerned, but hopefully they weren't prepped in a bathroom ... 'cause that's where they ended up!

TMZ's obtained video of the aftermath of some of the hors d'oeuvres served at the Montage hotel Tuesday night, and for some reason ... they were stashed in a small bathroom -- between the bathtub and the toilet.

The appetizers and drinks menu for the pro-Trump event is posted on the catering food warming cabinet -- which is also in the bathroom -- and along with the leftover lamb meatballs and mint yogurt sauce seen in the vid ... looks like there were delicious options.

The hors d'oeuvres list also includes burrata with roasted tomatoes and garlic croutons, poached prawns, chicken empanadas, miniature crab cakes and truffle mushroom risotto balls.

Seems like they must have been quite a hit, because there's not much leftover ... unless more food was stored away in another bathroom. But ... check out the trays of food that do not appear to have been passed around yet. What we don't know ... was the bathroom used as a staging area before serving guests?

We broke the story ... Trump not only raised a bunch of money at the fundraiser, but he used it as an opportunity to mock Bernie Sanders, the current front-runner to challenge him for the presidency.

A former pro-Australian rugby player murdered his wife and 3 young children in an apparent murder-suicide ... according to law enforcement officials in Australia.

42-year-old Rowan Baxter -- who played for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL) -- was found in his car early Wednesday morning along with his wife, 2 young daughters and his son. The kids were aged 6, 4 and 3.

Officials believe Baxter doused the car with gasoline and set it on fire. Witnesses say they saw Baxter's wife trying to escape the car while yelling, "He's poured petrol on me."

Emergency responders raced to the scene -- and Baxter's wife was transported to a nearby hospital ... but she ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Emergency responders also reportedly tried to revive Rowan, but he was declared dead.

Police say Rowan's wife had been driving the car and he was sitting in the front passenger seat.

A Good Samaritan who tried to help the family was also hospitalized with facial burns, according to local media.

Scott Morrison -- the Prime Minister of Australia -- has issued a statement about the situation saying, "My heart goes out to the families and community going through this tragic time and the emergency responders confronting what would be a shattering scene."

Rowan and his wife had been running a fitness company called Integr8 in Brisbane. They reportedly separated late last year and were trying to hammer out custody arrangements.

Baxter stayed around the game after his playing career was over, working as a fitness coach for teams in NRL, Super Rugby and the Australian Football League.

Ben Affleck wrestled with the thought of being an alcoholic ... but looking back he vows not to let it trigger another downward spiral for the sake of his kids.

The movie star looked better than ever during his interview with Diane Sawyer on "Good Morning America" ... acknowledging alcoholism took over his life to the point he'd come home after work and drink until he passed out. He also opened up about his family history -- his grandmother took her life as a result of alcoholism. His father and aunt were also addicts.

Now that he's sober, Ben says he wants to stay on the straight and narrow for his kids. He said, "I really don't want my children to pay for my sins. Or to be afraid for me, which is one of the hard parts of being a child of an alcoholic."

Ben -- who had an intervention back in 2018 -- says he first got sober in 2001 for a couple of years but his moderate drinking ultimately turned for the worse. He briefly talked about his setback on Halloween ... when he stumbled walking out of a WeHo party.

After that incident, Ben told paps he vowed to get sober again. And, his 3 kids with Jennifer Garner -- 14-year-old Violet, 11-year-old Seraphina Rose and 7-year-old Samuel -- is a motivating factor. It's why he took the last half of last year off ... just to be Dad.

"Good Times" star Ja'Net DuBois appeared in good spirits -- and more importantly, healthy -- just a couple weeks before suddenly dying.

We got this photo of Ja'Net posing with "Good Times" costars Jimmie Walker, Johnny Brown, Bern Nadette Stanis and Ralph Carter -- all 5 of whom showed up together on Feb. 1 at the Los Angeles Marriott at the Burbank Airport for a scheduled meet and greet with fans.

The group talked with longtime viewers, took photos and signed autographs. As you can see, Ja'Net seemed perfectly fine with the rest of the TV stars. In good enough health, anyway, to walk around and pose for at least a couple shots -- if not more.

Just a little more than 2 weeks later, she was found unresponsive at her Glendale, CA home -- where her family says she died in her sleep unexpectedly. We're told there were no known ailments or illnesses she was battling prior to her passing ... it just happened.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Ja'Net died of natural causes, plain and simple. The fact she was up and smiling just days earlier makes her loss all the more tragic.  It's interesting ... we're told there will be NO autopsy, despite the puzzling nature of her death.

As you might know, she had a hand in some iconic shows besides "Good Times" -- serving as the gorgeous voice that greeted viewers in the opening song, "Movin' On Up," on "The Jeffersons," as well as voicing Mrs. Avery on "The PJs" for all 43 episodes.

She was 74.

RIP

Antonio Brown's got lightning-fast reflexes ... but even that wasn't enough to keep him from getting hit in the head by an errant piece of gym equipment.

The out-of-work NFL star appeared to be working out at his 84/7 training facility in Florida -- pushing big weight on the bench press -- when another piece of gym equipment got loose and crashed down on his head.

It's unclear why the workout machine got loose -- but don't worry, AB didn't appear to be injured.

Just a reminder ... be careful in the gym!!

As for his career, Brown has been training like a maniac and recently told TMZ Sports he plans on meeting with team reps at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis when that event kicks off this weekend.

Of course, Brown has a LOT going on off the field that could prevent teams from pulling the trigger -- including an ongoing battery case, allegations of sexual assault, baby mama issues and a very nasty beef with the Hollywood Police Dept.

We know he can play ... but will a team look past everything else to get him on the field?

Macklemore's had something brewing with a West Coast coffee chain, and he made the surprise reveal himself ... he's taking his talents to the creative directing team!!!

The rapper's partnering up with Dutch Bros. Coffee to help develop new products and flavors with the brand ... and he made the announcement Wednesday in pretty glorious fashion at the company's annual business summit in Scottsdale, AZ.

Macklemore first appears on-screen in a prerecorded message to let employees know he's the new Executive Creative Director of Cold Brew. He says he'd love to be there with them to celebrate ... but he's got golfing to do.

It's all a fake out though ... because he rides in on a golf cart to the delight of the Dutch Bros. crew.

Though this is a new short-term contract for the rapper -- we're told it will wrap up this summer when he performs at their major company event -- Macklemore's love for their coffee goes way back.

He's a huge fan, especially of cold brew, and has been an unofficial brand ambassador for a few years. Macklemore partnered with Dutch Bros. last year for a campaign to fight ALS ... and he's even included the coffee in a couple of his music videos.

We're told the rapper -- who hails from the Pacific Northwest, where the coffee chain is prevalent -- will be in charge of a few new cold brew product launches and more upcoming promotional events.

Cheers!