'Human Centipede' Star Dieter Laser Dead at 78

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Dieter Laser -- the German actor best known for playing the evil Dr. Heiter in "The Human Centipede" -- has died.

Laser's death was revealed by his wife, Inge, who says he actually passed in Berlin back on February 29. His cause of death is unknown at this time.

The German star has more than 60 acting credits to his name -- including appearing in the Glenn Close film, "Meeting Venus," in 1991 -- but didn't achieve international fame until starring in the controversial horror film, 'Centipede,' in 2009. He also appeared in 'The Human Centipede III' in 2015.

Tom Six, director of the cult horror series, says of Dieter ... "He was a force of nature, a unique human being and an iconic actor. I’m so damn proud we created pop culture together."

Dieter was an acclaimed film and theater actor in Germany for years, though. He won a German Film Award in 1975 for his leading role in "John Gluckstadt." Almost 35 years later ... he won a Scream Award for Best Villain for playing the deranged 'Human Centipede' surgeon.

Laser's other notable credits over the years include the sci-fi TV series, "Lexx," and the 2003 thriller, "Baltic Storm."

Dieter was 78.

RIP

Christina Grimmie Her Voice Lives on in BF's New Single

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The boyfriend of former 'Voice' star Christina Grimmie -- who was shot and killed nearly 4 years ago -- is keeping her memory alive with a new song featuring her.

Stephen Rezza just dropped "Hard Mode" ... and we're told he got her family's okay to sample Christina for the track. Best of all for Christina's fans -- this is just the first of many new songs with her angelic voice.

Rezza's dropping a full album of his orchestral pop later this year, which is titled, "Songs for Christina." That's appropriate because every single track on it will feature either her vocals, her old music, or even voicemails from her.

It's a touching tribute to Christina. As we reported, back in June 2016, the singer -- who'd already appeared on "The Voice" -- was doing a meet and greet with fans in Orlando when a deranged man walked up and opened fire. He then shot and killed himself. Christina was only 22.

After her death, Stephen helped produced her posthumous album "All Is Vanity," which dropped in 2017. He then started working on "Songs for Christina" ... but that stopped when he suffered a seizure in 2019. Turns out he had an avocado-sized brain tumor. Surgeons successfully removed 95% of the mass.

Once he recovered, we're told Stephen had a new perspective and was determined to finish the album.

Stephen tells TMZ, "I almost never put these songs out. They're so personal I didn't think the world wanted to hear them. Next thing I knew I was on an operating table wide awake, skull open while my brain's being worked on. I almost lost everything. If I had died or lost the ability to make music, the only thing I would've truly regretted would've been never finishing this album for her."

BTW, Stephen's "Hard Mode" is now available on streaming services. It's about persevering when God flips the switch, and it's the only song on the album written after his operation.

Helluva way to persevere.

#RIPChristina

Tommy 'Tiny' Lister Here Comes Deebo ... With Your Weed Delivery!!!

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Tommy "Tiny" Lister -- best-known for playing Deebo in the "Friday" movies -- is doing something Ice Cube would be proud of ... delivering weed!!!

Here's the deal ... the "Friday" star is teaming up with Pineapple Express, a company that delivers medical and recreational marijuana in Los Angeles, and he's dropping off dank to some very lucky stoners.

Pineapple Express is holding a contest this month, and each Friday they randomly select 4 winners from the sweepstakes and those potheads get a special delivery from Deebo!!!

The best part ... Tommy drops off the goods precisely at 4:20 PM, which as you know, holds a special place in the hearts of pot smokers across the globe.

Legal marijuana businesses have been deemed essential in L.A. so they're still operating despite shelter-in-place orders during the coronavirus pandemic ... and Pineapple Express says Tommy's gonna take extra precautions during his deliveries.

Finally, someone who actually wants to see Deebo pull up on a bike!!!

LeBron James Rookie Jersey Hits Auction Block ... Could Break $630k Record!!!

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One of LeBron James' very first game-worn NBA jerseys is hitting the auction block ... and the piece of history could fetch more than $630k!!!

Goldin Auctions tells TMZ Sports ... the jersey was worn during King James' 5th and 8th games of his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers ... including his first-ever matchup against his best friend, Dwyane Wade, and Miami Heat on November 12, 2003.

The other game was against the Indiana Pacers, when 18-year-old Bron scored 23 points on November 7.

The jersey -- which was certified legit by Resolution Photomatching -- is the earliest jersey of James' NBA career to hit the market ... and could possibly end up being the most expensive jersey in modern history.

“LeBron James memorabilia is some of the most sought-after memorabilia currently,” Ken Goldin tells us.

"After setting the record earlier this year for the sale of a LeBron James card for $900,000.00, we are hoping this jersey will set the record for the highest price paid for a basketball jersey which is $630,300.00."

Remember, the King also holds that record ... when his 2020 All-Star Game jersey went up for auction earlier this year.

The jersey will be available through May 16 ... so if you have more than half a milli lying around, happy bidding!!

Lori Loughlin The 'Rowing' Pics for USC Application ... Smoking Gun According to Feds

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The infamous pics Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli took of their daughters on rowing machines -- allegedly to get them into USC through a side door -- have finally been revealed.

Federal prosecutors dropped the photos Thursday in their response to Lori and Mossimo's motion to dismiss the case. Olivia Jade and her sister, Bella, are seen doing their best rowing on ERG machines. Prosecutors blurred their faces in the pics -- which we've heard about since the college admissions scandal broke more than a year ago -- but the documents make it clear it's them.

According to prosecutors, on Sept. 7, 2016 ... Mossimo sent Rick Singer -- the college admissions scandal mastermind -- an email with Olivia's rowing pic attached. The feds say that email and pic were in response to Singer requesting the pic in an August email, saying ... "It would probably help to get a picture with her on an ERG in workout clothes like a real athlete too."

Bella's rowing photo was attached to an email Mossimo sent to Singer on July 28, 2017, and Lori is cc'd on that email.

Prosecutors have pointed out neither of the Giannulli sisters were really on crew teams ... and the rowing pics were just part of the scheme to get them into USC -- along with checks of $50k to USC's athletic program and $200k to Singer's foundation.

Mossimo and Lori have said the checks were merely donations, and not bribes to get their daughters into the school.

In their response, prosecutors acknowledge they should've turned over Singer's notes earlier, but say it was "simply a mistake," and not a bad faith attempt to sandbag Lori and Mossimo. The feds also say the notes don't exonerate the couple because their alleged criminal intent started long before Singer turned into an informant for the government.

As we reported, Singer's notes included details of his communications with defendants in the college admissions scandal -- including Mossimo and Lori -- and also his complaints that feds were pressuring him to call the payments bribes.

'Love is Blind' Carlton Wants a Second Shot at Love ... Put Me On Season 2!!!

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Carlton Morton wants to be bi-seasonal ... the "Love is Blind" star tells us he wants to bring back his bisexual storyline for the second season of the reality show.

Carlton tells TMZ ... he wants to find love and is still looking for his match, and he would be more than open to coming back for a second helping of "Love is Blind" if the producers are onboard.

As you know ... Carlton shot to fame on the Netflix show's debut season, but for all the wrong reasons. He didn't tell Diamond he was bisexual until AFTER he proposed, leading to an epic spat.

Carlton says he's even been approached about his own spin-off show ... but he tells us he would totally settle for a second shot on "Love is Blind."

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THE WORLD HATES ME

It's good to see Carlton in good spirits ... when we last caught up with him, he was seeking therapy after a cry for help and a 911 call.

As we first reported ... "Love is Blind" is already casting for season two, and the casting company is asking potential contestants about their sexual orientations.

Carlton thinks "Love is Blind" wants more contestants from the LGBT community ... not less, and he gives the show props for being all-inclusive.

Carlton's ready to head for a pod at the drop of a hat ... and he's also got a message for his ex-fiance.

Train Singer Patrick Monahan 'Memba Him?!

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Pennsylvania-born Patrick Monahan was in his mid-20s when he gained fame as the smooth-singing frontman of the San Francisco-based, pop-rock band, Train ... who shot to the top with their song, "Drops Of Jupiter" and follow-up jams "She's On Fire" and "Calling All Angels."

The "Drops Of Jupiter" album and single were such a smash it won the band a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and almost a decade later the band released "Hey, Soul Sister" which landed them a second golden gramophone.

Monahan still continues to make music while raising kids and hosting a podcast.

Guess what he looks like now!

Dana White UFC 249 Is Postponed After Request from ESPN, Disney

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HERE'S THE DEAL

Dana White tells TMZ Sports UFC 249 is officially postponed and will NOT take place as planned on April 18.

But, "Fight Island" is still very real and in the works, White says.

The UFC honcho says because of coronavirus concerns ... high-ranking execs at both ESPN and Disney advised him to hold off on the April 18 fight card.

"I got a call from as high up as you can go at Disney asking not to do this event on April 18," White said.

The plan had been for the fights -- headlined by Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje -- to go forward at Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, Calif.

But, Dana says he's going to listen to his partners at ESPN ... and call off the fights for now.

"One thing you’ve heard me say is how awesome this relationship has been with ESPN," White says. "So when they call and ask me to not go, obviously, I'm going to respect it and not go."

As we previously reported ... White was going forward with the fights despite losing Khabib Nurmagomedov -- who withdrew from the card after expressing concern over COVID-19.

The card also lost another headliner in Rose Namajunas on Thursday, when she officially pulled out after she lost family members due to the coronavirus.

White tells us he's ain't laying off UFC staff despite the cancellations ... and guaranteed UFC cards would be back shortly.

"We will be the first sport back on television," White said.

As for "Fight Island" -- White says it's "really happening ... the infrastructure is being built right now on the island."

"When this thing is ready, it's going to be bad ass. It's going to be incredible. And we're just gonna start running fights as soon as that thing is finished."