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Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and the cast of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" gave a couple of kids an out-of-this-world experience ... granting them an AWESOME wish!!!

The Kids Wish Network flew out Addisyn, Ayden and their families to L.A. for the world premiere of one of the most highly-anticipated films in years. The kiddos walked the blue carpet earlier this week and soaked up the adoration of hardcore 'Star Wars' fans.

The best part ... Addisyn and Ayden got to meet the entire cast!!! From Harrison and Mark to Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Billy Dee Williams and director J.J. Abrams.

The little ones sported grins from ear to ear as they walked alongside the cast that also included droids C-3PO and R2-D2. When the meet and greet was over ... the kids headed inside the Dolby Theater where they were one of the few to watch the film before the rest of the world. When the film ended ... the kiddos ALSO hit up the afterparty!!!

Now that's one helluva experience ... and incredible work by the Kids Wish Network, which is an org dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with life-threatening conditions.

Robert Glenn "Junior" Johnson -- one of NASCAR's first superstars -- has died, the racing organization announced on Friday. He was 88.

Johnson won the Daytona 500 in 1960 ... and had 50 career wins and 148 top-10 finishes. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers in 1998.

"From his early days running moonshine through the end of his life, Junior wholly embodied the NASCAR spirit," Chairman and CEO Jim France said in a statement.

"He was an inaugural NASCAR Hall of Famer, a nod to an extraordinary career as both a driver and team owner."

"Between his on-track accomplishments and his introduction of Winston to the sport, few have contributed to the success of NASCAR as Junior has."

Johnson was a successful team owner ... and his drivers accounted for 6 Winston Cup Championships and 139 race wins.

"The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true giant of our sport, and we offer our deepest condolences to Junior’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

The "Wilkes County Wildman" retired from the sport in 1966 ... and was the most successful driver to never win a championship.

Tekashi 6ix9ine has more strings attached to his prison sentence, and they're aimed at helping him out ... and helping the feds out.

The rapper's been ordered by the court to enroll in an outpatient mental health program once he's free ... according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ. As we reported, his release is potentially not too far off ... as early as next August.

In addition, 6ix9ine must continue to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney's Office once he's released from prison in any ongoing investigations where he might be useful.

As for his incarceration ... there's some good news for him. The court's recommended Tekashi be placed in a correctional facility as close to New York City as possible -- so his family can easily visit him.

As we reported ... the rapper was sentenced Wednesday to 24 months in his racketeering case. However, he's already served 13 months ... so he could be out by late 2020 if all goes well for him.

Todd and Julie Chrisley are adamant the feds' case against them is based on evidence the government should never have had, and they want it all tossed out of court and returned to them.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... the Chrisleys claim the Georgia Department of Revenue illegally seized 2 of their Atlanta storage units in 2017. The units had a trove of the Chrisleys' financial docs.

The Chrisleys claim the GA Dept. of Revenue seized the units based on a bum warrant. In docs, they say the warrant was based on a non-existent tax lien -- meaning, investigators cut corners and violated their rights.

The Chrisleys say that evidence was handed over to federal prosecutors ... who then indicted the reality stars on multiple counts of conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion.

Todd and Julie want their stuff back, and they want the judge to declare the ill-gotten records off-limits to prosecutors.

As we reported, a federal grand jury indicted the Chrisleys in August ... alleging they concocted a scheme from 2007 to 2012 to fabricate docs and provide false information to banks when applying for and receiving millions in loans ... money they allegedly used to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Pete Buttigieg isn't apologizing for raising some serious cash at a wine cave fundraiser, despite criticism from his Democrat opponents ... because he says it's vital in the fight against Donald Trump.

Mayor Pete appeared on "TMZ Live" Friday and noted the Prez and his allies have already raised hundreds of millions of dollars and in order to keep pace for the 2020 push ... so he's not going to turn down money from ultra-rich donors. Besides ... the max the donors can fork over is $2,800.

Buttigieg says he's proud more than 700,000 people have donated to his campaign, and with big-money donations included ... the average contribution is around 30 bucks.

As for the now-famous wine cave -- which is actually more of a fancy basement -- Buttigieg says it's as remarkable as advertised ... and he's happy to have the support of the billionaires who own it. BTW, many Democrats before him have felt the same.

Model Mama Cax has died at the age of 30 after surviving cancer and a brief stay in the hospital.

A rep for Cax -- born Cacsmy Brutus -- posted the sad news on her Instagram Friday, saying, "It is with deep regret and immense sadness that we announce the passing of Cacsmy Brutus (Mama Cax). Mama Cax spent the past week in the hospital, and unfortunately, on Monday, December 16, 2019, she left this world."

They continue, "To say Cax was a fighter would be an understatement. As a cancer survivor, she had grown accustomed to taking on life's several challenges head on and successfully. It is with that same grit (fervor) that she fought her last days on Earth."

Andrew Yang's done his research, and knows there's no way to completely stop foreign interference in elections, but says there's still a right way to respond ... and President Trump ain't cutting it.

In the wake of a strong showing in the latest Democratic Presidential debate ... Yang joined us Friday on "TMZ Live" to tell voters why he'll get tough with Vladimir Putin and any other foreign leader who tries to screw with our elections.

Yang said he views Russia's meddling in the 2016 election as an act of hostility and aggression, one he wouldn't take lightly if he's in the Oval.

He's already thinking about who he'll need by his side to get to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. -- as in, who's gonna be his running mate. It's clear Yang's working on a short list, and gave us the criteria for his Veep.

Best of all, Andrew gave us his best Rocky impression.

Something happened during Thursday night's debate that had him feeling very Stallone-esque.

Robert De Niro has a very interesting item at the top of his holiday wish list -- he'd very much like a bag of poo to hit President Trump right in his face.

He doesn't say what kind, though.

"The Irishman" star revealed his desire on Michael Moore's podcast Friday, telling the documentary filmmaker ... "I'd like to see a bag of s**t right in his face. Hit him right in the face like that and let the picture go all over the world."

De Niro added ... "And, that would be the most humiliating thing because he needs to be humiliated."

The famous actor's overall point, after sifting through all the s**t talk, is he believes whichever Dem ends up taking on the Prez in 2020 needs to stand up to him ... and embarrass him as much as possible.

De Niro says this person has to "confront him and put him in his place, because the people have to see that, to see him be humiliated."

This isn't the first time Robert's gone after Donald in an audacious way ... you'll recall he dropped a "F**k Trump" at the 2018 Tony Awards, ripped him during an American Icon Awards Speech, called him crazy on CNN and has mocked him multiple times on 'SNL.'

West Point says it does NOT believe 3 cadets were trying to promote white supremacy by flashing the "OK" hand gesture at the Army vs. Navy football game ... saying it was all a "misplaced joke."

Military officials launched an investigation after the cadets were spotted using the hand gesture multiple times during the ESPN broadcast of the Dec. 14 game.

As we previously reported, the Anti-Defamation League and other watchdog groups have said the hand symbol has been co-opted by white supremacy organizations ... which is why people were shocked to see the cadets flash the sign so proudly on-air.

But now, West Point has released the findings of their investigation -- and they insist the cadets were not trying to promote a racist agenda.

Ronnie Ortiz-Magro's baby mama, Jen Harley, has a powerful woman in her corner ... after hiring Lisa Bloom to rep her amid a tumultuous domestic violence case.

Lisa spoke with us Friday in L.A. after she and Jen attended a hearing in Ronnie's DV case. Not much happened in court ... the next hearing is scheduled February. Jen left the courthouse unnoticed, but Lisa made one thing clear ... Jen is a VERY fit parent.

Ronnie went on a tirade against Jen on Instagram last week, accusing her of abandoning their two-year-old-daughter. Lisa says she reached out to Ronnie, demanding he take down the post. Jen currently has a restraining order against Ronnie, and Lisa says any harassment -- even on social media -- will not be tolerated.

As we reported ... Ronnie pled not guilty last month to a laundry list of misdemeanors stemming from an October incident with Jen and their 20-month daughter, Ariana, in L.A. He's facing 7 misdemeanors -- domestic violence, child endangerment, brandishing a weapon, criminal threats, false imprisonment [of Jen] and 2 counts of resisting arrest.

Ronnie was initially arrested for kidnapping after allegedly hitting Jen, chasing her down with a knife, taking their kid from her and then locking himself inside an Airbnb they were renting. Ronnie allegedly refused to come out when police arrived ... and they had to bust the door and tase him before slapping cuffs on him and wheeling him out on a gurney.

Jen said she suffered bruises and scrapes from the altercation but Lisa tells us Jen's soldiering on.

It wouldn't be the holidays without sporting a Santa hat, popping on a hideous sweater and exchanging gifts with your coworkers ... and we here at TMZ are no different.

Check out our staff's collection of clashing colors as we merrily move around the office in goofy garb ... spreading Christmas cheer and Hanukkah happiness (the donuts provided certainly help).

The holiday tops feature a wide range of seasonal subject matter, pop culture references, adult-themed humor and, of course ... plenty of cats and dogs.

Carnival Cruise's insurance rates just went through the roof -- 2 of their massive ships collided, causing a huge panic on several ships ... including one where passengers were losing their minds.

The scary maritime accident went down Friday morning near the Port of Cozumel, Mexico -- the Carnival Glory, on the right, smashed into the pointed bow of the Carnival Legend. The video is pretty insane ... like a low-speed, but VERY high-priced, fender bender at sea.

The cruise line is reporting one minor injury to a Carnival Glory guest that happened while dining rooms were being evacuated.

But, someone might want to check on a passenger on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas -- which was dangerously close to the collision -- the guy aboard panicked they were about to be sunk.

"Mob Wives" star Drita D'Avanzo and her husband got one helluva surprise when NYPD raided their home and arrested them on a slew of guns and drug charges ... TMZ has confirmed.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Drita and her hubby, Lee, were arrested Thursday night in their Staten Island home after cops executed a search warrant that uncovered two loaded firearms, a Smith & Wesson 9mm and an S&W 38 caliber gun. Cops say they also found 120 pills of hydrocodone/acetaminophen, 22 Xanax pills and a large amount of weed.

The couple was booked on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

Drita and Lee were booked on 1 count of acting in a manner injurious to a child because law enforcement sources tell us one of the couple's kids was in the house at the time of the raid.

WHO'S A GOOD BOY?!?! YOU ARE!! YES, YOU ARE!!!

Check out this AMAZING video of a crazy athletic police dog JUMPING THROUGH A BROKEN GLASS WINDOW to apprehend a perp ... and man, wow.

Here's the deal ... cops in Fontana, CA were involved in a vehicular pursuit of a 31-year-old man suspected of stalking and attempting to injure his estranged wife.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the chase -- which eventually ended in Corona, CA ... where cops used a pit maneuver to stop the car.

A standoff ensues ... and this is where things got crazy!!!

Cops fired rubber bullets at the driver's side window -- and once they shattered the glass, SUPERDOG sprung into action ... flying through the glass and into the car to incapacitate the suspect.

The perp allegedly punched the dog, but the K9 wasn't fazed -- and cops were ultimately able to move in and take him into custody.

The suspect was hospitalized for minor injuries from a dog bite ... but hey, DON'T PUNCH DOGS!

We're trying to get info on the 4-legged hero ... stay tuned.

Pat Sajak's fortunate to be alive after suffering a blocked intestine, but says for a brief drug-induced moment ... his life flashed before his eyes and he thought he was for sure dying.

The "Wheel of Fortune" host turned up on 'GMA' and spoke for the first time about last month's health scare, which he says was intense ... and could have killed him if he didn't go under the knife STAT.

Sajak says one moment he was out for his daily morning walk with his daughter and the next ... he's curled up in the fetal position with "excruciating" pain in his stomach. Within 2 and a half hours, he was having emergency surgery.

The craziest part -- Pat says none of the pain meds he was given were working until all of a sudden one worked REALLY well ... and instead of thinking about pain, he was thinking about his death.

He says it wasn't a morbid thing really, he just felt bad for his wife and daughter and thought about how much their lives would change after he was gone ... but turns out, he was just really high.

Pat clearly didn't lose his sense of humor in surgery.

As we reported ... longtime 'Wheel' hostess, Vanna White, took over Sajak's hosting duties while he was recovering, and he commended her on 'GMA' for being a team player and having fun with it, and doing a great job.

Tekashi 6ix9ine could catch an even bigger break -- getting out of prison much sooner than the end of 2020, if a few small stars align for him.

Tekashi could be back on the streets by early August based on the good behavior guidelines established by the Bureau of Prisons ... according to his lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, who's taken a closer look at the numbers.

6ix9ine got 24 months, but with 13 months credit for time served ... leaving him with just 11 months remaining. That would get him out around November 2020, but then the BOP math kicks in, and the potential sentence starts shrinking.

BOP guidelines call for up to 54 days per year to be shaved off IF inmates show good behavior. So, with the 2-year sentence, he's eligible for up to a 108-day discount.