Jerry 'The King' Lawler Out Of ICU After 'Massive Stroke' ... Returning Home To Rehab
-
Breaking News
- 1.3K shares
Jerry "The King" Lawler continues to make positive strides on his road to recovery ... the WWE legend is no longer in Intensive Care after suffering a "massive stroke" this week.
A rep for Lawler provided an update on the 73-year-old's condition Thursday ... saying, "Jerry is out of ICU & will return to his Florida home for outpatient rehab."
Lawler's doctors are hopeful the Hall of Famer will make a full recovery with proper rehabilitation ... which is great news for fans concerned with his health.
As we reported Wednesday, Lawler, who had a near-death experience during Monday Night Raw in 2012, gave a thumbs up from his hospital room ... signaling to fans he was in good spirits.
WWE icon Jimmy Hart visited the legendary commentator while he was in the hospital ... and the two took a picture together while they bonded over wrestling history.
Lawler was rushed to the hospital after he suffered the stroke earlier this week ... but his friend and former announcing partner, Jim Ross, did his best to quell any concerns about his health.
Lawler has received an enormous amount of support from the WWE community ... with former WWE superstars like Nikki and Brie Bella expressing their support for him.
related articles
Ben Affleck, Matt Damon Phil Knight, Sonny Vaccaro In Action ... 'AIR' Trailer Drops
Months after best buds Ben Affleck and Matt Damon hit the set of their new movie, AIR, portraying Phil Knight and Sonny Vaccaro, the trailer for the highly anticipated biopic documenting the rise of Nike just dropped!
The upcoming movie, also starring Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, Marlon Wayans and Chris Tucker, is based on Knight and Vaccaro -- who brought Michael Jordan to the Swoosh.
Nike was launched in 1972 (Knight started another running company in the 60s), and was the opposite of the powerhouse it is today. The business began to grow, but really exploded when Vaccaro, played by Damon, got Jordan to sign with Nike.
Davis plays Michael's mom, Deloris Jordan. Tucker plays Howard White, a Nike exec.
It's not the first time we've seen the guys in character ... back in June, we got photos from the set. Jennifer Lopez was even there supporting her man, Ben.
Ben Affleck, Matt Damon Begin Shooting Sonny Vaccaro Biopic, J Lo Shows Support On Set
Back then, the guys received a mixed reaction ... but now that the trailer's out, fans seem excited about the movie!
But, they're not alone. We spoke with the real life Sonny Vaccaro last year, and he was pumped for the film.
"I'm 83 years old. It was complete surprise to me. It's an unbelievable honor and I believe in what they're going to do is going to be the truth on the film," Vaccaro told us last October.
10/15/22
"This is the best thing that I could have ever imagined."
It's obviously not the first time Damon and Affleck have teamed up together for a movie ... they've done it a bunch, including in the critically acclaimed "Good Will Hunting."
"Air" hits theaters on April 5.
related articles
Vanessa Hudgens Glowing After Engagement ... So Is The Massive Diamond Ring!!!
Cole Tucker clearly spared no expense when he asked Vanessa Hudgens to marry him ... 'cause the actress was seen rockin' her new engagement ring this week -- and it's HUGE!!
Hudgens was spotted with the bling while out grabbing a bite to eat with her family in Los Angeles on Wednesday -- and it ain't hard to see her MLB player beau picked out some fine jewelry for his future bride.
Sporting an oversized sweatshirt, sweats and slippers ... the diamond on the "High School Musical" actress' left hand stood out like a sore thumb -- appearing to be nearly the size of her knuckle!!!
Hudgens has only had the ring for a few months now -- the couple only got engaged at the end of 2022 -- but check out her smile, she's clearly loving it and the engagement life.
Hudgens and Tucker initially began dating in 2020 -- and have become inseparable ever since ... with Hudgens attending plenty of his baseball games, and Tucker spending most of his offseasons with her.
Just recently, Hudgens glowed about Tucker ... saying in a sappy Instagram post, "I'll stop the world and melt with you."
She added two emojis ... "❤️🥰."
Awwwwwww!!!
related articles
Kobe Bryant Signed MVP Jersey Sells For $5.8 Mil ... At Auction
-
Breaking News
- 2.1K shares
The signed, game-worn jersey from Kobe Bryant's 2007-08 NBA MVP season -- the only year he won the award during his career -- just sold for $5.8 million at an auction!!
Sotheby's tells TMZ Sports ... the Bryant jersey set a new record for Kobe-related sports memorabilia sold at auction, and is the second-most valuable basketball jersey to ever hit the market.
Bryant wore the jersey for 25 games in '07-'08 ... averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists while leading the Lakers to the NBA Finals for the first time since Shaquille O'Neal left.
Kobe also wore the jersey the same evening he was awarded the regular season Most Valuable Player Award on May 7, 2008 ... and during Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
"This jersey is iconic in a way we seldom see in sports artifacts," said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables.
Experts initially expected the jersey to sell for anywhere between $5-7 million.
Sotheby's recently sold LeBron James' 2013 Game 7 NBA Finals jersey for $3.7 million in January -- and Kobe's MVP season jersey is in that same rarefied air.
Bryant and the Lakers lost to the Celtics in 6 games in the Finals ... but the jersey he wore during his MVP season and the performances he put up in it are cemented in NBA history.
related articles
Rihanna SB LVII Prep Madness ... 39 Different Setlists, Last-Minute Changes!!!
-
Breaking News
- 1.1K shares
Rihanna wants to make sure she gets her Super Bowl LVII halftime performance 100% correct ... working through 39 different setlists to get it right.
The music superstar discussed her everchanging plans on Thursday during an Apple Music press conference to pump the big show.
Rihanna told panel moderator Nadeska Alexis she hasn't been afraid to take charge, as there's a lot riding on this performance, including her own reputation.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
The singer says trying to condense hours worth of musical greatness into a 13-minute set has been damn near impossible, but Rihanna says there are a lot of people who are involved working to make it successful.
She says her bossy side has surfaced on several occasions -- making small changes such as where her guitar players should stand.
We spoke to Rihanna about her pregame jitters back in October and it appears she still has them.
Rihanna Gives Birth to Baby Boy, First Child with A$AP Rocky
She openly admitted she had some hesitation taking the gig after giving birth to her baby back in May, and lamented over the lack of work/life balance to spend with her child.
Ultimately, the "Umbrella" singer says it was an honor to be put in a position to represent Barbados, immigrants and Black women alike ... and plans on incorporating plenty of her native Caribbean culture into the show.
Jay-Z, A$AP Rocky and T.I. are all heavily rumored to make cameo appearances also. We'll all know for sure come Sunday in Arizona!!!
related articles
Britney Spears Friends & Family Planned Intervention 'I'm Afraid She's Gonna Die'
-
Exclusive
- 2.5K shares
Britney Spears has been struggling with her mental health and substance abuse, and both problems are now dire enough that people closest to her planned an intervention ... TMZ has learned. As one source in regular contact with Britney told TMZ, "I'm afraid she's gonna die."
Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... people around Britney have become alarmed by her erratic, volatile behavior. We're told she's taking meds that "hype her up." Our sources say she's been "flying off the handle" with increasing regularity and is not taking the medications that stabilize her.
Our sources say her manager rented a house in the L.A. area for several months and the plan was to take an unsuspecting Britney to the house, where her husband Sam Asghari, her manager, an interventionist and doctors would be present, in an attempt to convince her she needed help. We're told Jamie Spears, Lynne Spears and Britney's 2 sons were not involved. The plan was for the intervention to go down Tuesday.
We're told the plan was for Britney to live in the rented house for as long as 2 months while she received both medical treatment and psychological counseling.
That plan changed Tuesday ... we're told Britney became "somewhat aware" of the plan and for some reason it all changed and the intervention idea was scrapped. We asked multiple people connected to Britney and Sam why the plug would be pulled given her condition -- we got no answers.
Our sources say Britney agreed to meet with a doctor -- we don't know if it's a physician or a therapist. We're told Britney met with the doctor Wednesday late afternoon and it "went well."
TMZ broke the story, Britney was spotted at a restaurant near her home last month where witnesses tell us she was acting "manic." In video, obtained by TMZ, Britney can be heard rambling incoherently.
As you know, Britney was placed in a conservatorship for 13 years after being involuntarily committed twice. The conservatorship ended in November 2021 ... in no small part because of the #FreeBritney movement. The judge did not order a medical evaluation before ending the conservatorship ... despite the fact doctors regularly weighed in before the court over the 13 years.
related articles
Dallas Stars Fan Socked In Face At Game ... After Saying N-Word
-
Exclusive Details
- 6.1K shares
11:03 AM PT -- Chad Marchman, a Dallas Stars fan who was sitting in a seat just feet below the altercation at the game, tells TMZ Sports ... the fracas all initially started due to some confusion over who was in whose seats.
Marchman said the man in the Benn jersey had been annoying people in the section after being asked to move -- before he was ultimately punched.
In Marchman's footage of the aftermath of the haymaker, you can see the initial puncher suffered a bloody lip. You can also hear the man in the Benn jersey repeat the n-word.
Ultimately, according to Marchman, arena security got involved to separate everyone ... before the Benn fan was ejected from the area.
A Stars fan was socked in the face by a huge haymaker at Dallas' game on Wednesday night ... with the massive punch coming after the guy said the n-word.
The altercation went down just a few seats from the American Airlines Center ice ... when a man in a Jamie Benn jersey stopped watching the Stars vs. Wild tilt -- and began jawing with another fan behind him.
No word on why their beef initially began -- but the dude in the green No. 14 uni was clearly furious. At one point, he challenged the other fan to a fight ... saying, "How 'bout you step down here and I'll box your ass."
“Little Boy”
— Matt Faulkner (@Mattfaulkner92) February 9, 2023 @Mattfaulkner92
Stars game got wild lastnight @barstoolsports pic.twitter.com/LzoKYzC1zo
The guy in the black polo didn't respond -- and that's when the Benn fan, who's white, muttered the n-word.
"All right then," he could be heard saying. "Stay the f*** up there. Dumbass n****."
Almost immediately after the word left his mouth, the fan in the black shirt, who's also white, threw a right hand that landed flush. It actually appeared to briefly knock the Benn fan unconscious.
The two scuffled for a few moments following the blow -- before another woman raced in and threw a bevy of punches of her own.
Eventually, other fans stepped in before the altercation became even more violent.
It's unclear how the situation was resolved -- we've reached out to cops to see if any arrests were made, but no word back yet.
As for the game, the Stars were clearly unbothered by the ruckus in the crowd -- they were able to cruise to a 4-1 victory over Minnesota.
Originally Published -- 7:59 AM PT
related articles
Puppy Bowl Rescue Pups Invade TMZ Office!!!
-
Exclusive
- 189 shares
There's a super big game coming up, and we're not talking about the Super Bowl ... dozens of puppies will face off in the 19th annual Puppy Bowl and it's all for a great cause!!!
Dan Schachner -- the 12-year Puppy Bowl "Ruff-eree" -- joined "TMZ Live" Thursday, and while we love Dan, we're mostly thrilled that we got a visit from some furry and adorable reps for the upcoming game. Yeah, we're suckers for puppies, but these came on a mission.
Dan tells us, the event is all about raising awareness for rescuing dogs ... because shelter animals will be competing Sunday for the Lombarky Trophy. This year, more than 122 four-legged friends will play for either Team Ruff or Team Fluff ... and they hail from 67 different rescues and shelters across the country.
If you're interested in giving one a home, all the pups are adoptable & from Paw Works.
Look for stars like Tailen Hurts, Jimmy Kibble, and Josh Allenhound -- repping for Buffalo, of course -- come game day. Heck, they even got Tom Barky to come outta retirement!!!
Dan says there's a ton of pets who need homes, and that number only increased when folks returned to work after the pandemic.
This year's bowl is super special ... 11 pups with special needs will be featured. And it's the first time ever a dog from Dominica, West Indies will compete as well as a doggy from a Native American animal org.
If you're more of a cat person, there's even a kitty halftime show featuring cats from 3 different shelters.
The big game airs for 3 hours on Feb 12 on Animal Planet and Discovery+. Be sure to tune in for the pregame show!
related articles
Alec Baldwin Halyna Hutchins' Family Files Lawsuit
Alec Baldwin has yet another lawsuit to deal with regarding the fatal "Rust" shooting ... family members of the late Halyna Hutchins are taking the actor and several others to court.
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Halyna's parents and sister have named Alec -- as well as a slew of companies and individuals -- as defendants in the suit. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is one of the many named.
The docs claim several safety protocols on set were ignored, including their insistence that Gutierrez-Reed should've been the only one handing Baldwin the gun -- NOT Assistant Director David Halls, who's also named as a defendant.
The family says Baldwin "cannot hide" behind Halls' alleged statement on set that the gun was "cold" ... adding a veteran actor like himself should've insisted that it was demonstrated to him or checked it himself.
What's more, the docs say the scene they were filming didn't call for Baldwin's gun to be cocked or fired at all -- and they say there was insufficient plexiglass in the building at the time of the incident, which could've ensured Hutchins' safety.
Hutchins' family is suing for loss of consortium, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and more ... and is seeking unspecified damages.
We've reached out to Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed -- Hannah's lawyer, Jason Bowles, had no comment ... no word from Baldwin's team.
As we reported, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter last week ... with the D.A. listing many of the same reasons as to why he was hit with the charge -- also pointing out potential discrepancies in his multiple interviews following the shooting.
related articles
GloRilla Doused by Drink-Throwing Fans!!! Club Promoter Wants Back $30K Fee
-
Exclusive
- 964 shares
GloRilla's stay in the Bay Area ended in a fit of rage ... rage from fans who hurled drinks and spit at the "FNF" rapper when she exited her Oakland after party without performing.
The incident happened Wednesday night at New Karibbean City nightclub, and the video shows Glo and her team making their way to the door as drink lands smack dab on Glo's jacket, angering her and her friends.
#Glorilla attacked by fans in Oakland for not performing when sources say she was only there to host. This is the original video by @BayAreaalert_ #BlackTwitter pic.twitter.com/RAZEtMH1u1
— Tainted Culture (@TaintedCulture) February 10, 2023 @TaintedCulture
One clubgoer yelled out, "F**k you, bitch!!" ... before someone on Glo's team cools her off with a few splashes from her glass to return the favor.
Promoter Con B of Insomnia Entertainment isn't taking responsibility for fans turning on Glo ... but tells TMZ Hip Hop he paid an exec at Glo's label CMG $30K to hear the Grammy-nominated star get lit and is expecting a full refund!!!
Sources close to the situation paint a different story, telling us Glo was never contracted to perform for that $30K -- a claim backed up by Glo's CMG boss, Yo Gotti after he got wind of the incident on Instagram!!!
We're told it was only a couple of rowdy fans upset she didn't perform -- not the entire club like the internet is projecting.
Glo is currently on tour and hit the Oakland club after her performance in San Fran earlier that night.
Con B says he still wants his $30K back, but we're guessing the fine print in the contract will determine how that goes.
related articles
Pamela Anderson Texting Tommy True Feelings ... You're My 'One True Love'
-
Exclusive
- 2.2K shares
Pamela Anderson reached out to Tommy Lee to make things right, and to let him know how she really feels before her Netflix doc aired ... and told her ex-husband he's still her "one true love."
In the text messages, to which Tommy hasn't responded, we're told ... Pamela told the Mötley Crüe drummer how cute their family used to be when they were still together raising their sons ... and she blames the paparazzi for tearing them apart.
We've heard 2 differing sides on Pamela's goal in texting Tommy -- a source close to her tells us she has zero intention of breaking up his marriage, and isn't trying to get back with him. That source says Pam only wanted to express her gratitude for their history.
On the other side, a source close to Tommy tells us while Pam's been portraying herself, at least in public, as being respectful of Tommy's marriage to Brittany Furlan -- in reality, Tommy and Brittany believe she's been trying to get back with him.
Our Tommy sources say Pamela's been repeatedly texting Tommy since he proposed to Brittany, but Tommy doesn't respond, and is respectful of Brittany and happily married.
Some of Pam's texts to Tommy surfaced online ... and we're told she also texts him flirty messages about how she still loves him, and how she believes they will be together when they're old. We're also told she sends Tommy apologies for things that happened in the past.
Our sources say Pam's most recent text to Tommy was in January, right before her documentary, "Pamela, A Love Story" premiered on Netflix. We're told she was expressing heartbreak over their divorce and how she was sorry for hurting Tommy.
It's worth noting ... Brittany recently posted and deleted a TikTok where she joked Pamela wouldn't care if she died. Brittany said she deleted it because she felt like it was going to get twisted, but was clearly just making a joke.
She has been getting attacked online since the documentary dropped and we're told she's had friends and family reaching out to see if she's ok because they feel the doc makes it crystal clear Pam is still very much in love with Tommy.
Our sources say Tommy wants nothing more than for Pam to find someone else, and move on ... because the text messages are very triggering for him and his current wife.
related articles
NHL's Rasmus Andersson Hit By Car While Riding Scooter In Downtown Detroit
-
Exclusive Details
- 53 shares
Rasmus Andersson -- a Calgary Flames defenseman -- was terrifyingly hit by a car while riding a scooter in downtown Detroit on Wednesday ... but, thankfully, he's OK.
The NHL team explained the accident in a statement on Thursday ... revealing the 26-year-old was on his way to dinner via scooter when he was struck by a vehicle at around 6 PM.
The Flames said Andersson was transported to the Detroit Receiving Hospital for testing and, fortunately, was released a short time later.
He's now listed as day-to-day ... but will miss Thursday's game against the Detroit Red Wings.
"He was going through a crosswalk," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said on Thursday. "The good news -- and the most important thing -- is that Ras is doing well."
Treliving added that the team and Rasmus are "very lucky."
"It certainly could have been a lot worse. We want to make sure that we thank all those involved [in his care] and let everybody know that Ras is doing well."
According to the Detroit Police Department, there was "no indication of any alcohol at all." A spokesperson added that there will be no arrests or tickets issued.
"It was a basic accident," the DPD said.
Rasmus started his hockey career in 2012 when he joined the Malmo Redhawks in the Swedish Hockey League.
He left Sweden for North America and played for the Ontario Hockey League before he was picked by the Flames in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Since then, Rasmus has scored 23 goals and tallied 146 points in 349 NHL appearances.
related articles
Kim Kardashian Surprises SKIMS Shoppers ... Get Your Valentine's On!!!
Kim Kardashian had a surprise for fans looking to get their hands on her SKIMS collection in time for Valentine's Day ... she popped up in-person at an L.A. pop-up shop!
The SKIMS founder was on hand Wednesday for the opening at the Westfield Century City shopping -- and, smartly, Kim showed up repping her company's V-Day theme from head to toe.
She wore an all-pink get-up, matching the all-pink pop-up ... and, of course, lots of items in her limited-edition Valentine's Day collection are pink too.
The collection was released a few weeks back and features lots of sheer lace lingerie, catsuits and rhinestone bedazzled gear too.
Kim enlisted some of her pals, like such as Simona Tabasco and Beatrice Grannò from "The White Lotus," as models.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
She later wrote about the sweet moment, saying ... "having my own SKIMS pop up store at the Century City Mall means the world to me in so many ways."
The pop-up opened on Wednesday and will continue through February 12.
Sorry guys, that means no last-minute purchases ON Valentine's Day!!!
related articles
Burt Bacharach Dead at 94
Burt Bacharach, one of the most prolific composers/songwriters in American history -- responsible for enormous hits like "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" and "I Say a Little Prayer" -- has died.
Bacharach died Wednesday at his L.A. home of natural causes, according to his publicist.
Bacharach and his composing partner, Hal David, were responsible for a string of Dionne Warwick hits, including "Do You Know The Way to San Jose," "Walk on By," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" and "Don't Make Me Over."
Numerous artists covered his songs, including Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield, Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones.
Although the 8-time Grammy winner was largely considered a master of easy listening, his songs were covered by artists in all genres of music -- everyone from Luther Vandross to Marty Robbins to Elvis Costello and even The Carpenters recorded his songs.
Everyone knows the #1 hit, "(They Long to Be) Close to You" ... classic Bacharach.
He and David composed the score for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," which included 'Raindrops.' They won 2 Academy Awards for the film's soundtrack.
Motown record label founder Berry Gordy tells us, "Over the years, no matter who Burt collaborated with, there was always a recognizable “Bacharach” sound and magic to his songs. He was a unique writer whose music always touched my heart. I will miss him, but I know Burt’s amazing legacy will live on forever."
Burt also wrote several hits with his one-time wife Carole Bayer Sager -- and, in fact, they also won an Oscar for "Best That You Can Do" ... the theme from "Arthur."
All told, he walked down the aisle 4 times, including a 15-year marriage to actress Angie Dickinson. He married for the last time in 1993 when he and Jane Hansen tied the knot.
He's survived by 3 children and Jane. Burt was 94.
RIP
related articles
Super Bowl LVII AZ Shop Owner’s Racist Outburst at ESPN Shoot ... ‘Ya F***ing Indian!!!’
-
Exclusive
- 1.2K shares
5:50 AM PT -- Scottsdale PD officials just released a statement, saying they have completed their investigation and charged shop owner Gilbert Ortega with 3 counts of disorderly conduct. Police noted that misdemeanor disorderly conduct does not qualify as a hate crime under the FBI's guidelines.
A local Arizona shop owner interrupted an ESPN shoot this week to mock Native American performers -- while yelling, "MAGA country" -- and the whole racist tirade is on video.
Cody Blackbird -- who's of Cherokee/Dakota descent, and was one of the Native American performers hired by ESPN for the Super Bowl promo -- tells TMZ a dude named Gilbert Ortega started taunting the dancers from the front of his jewelry shop Tuesday in downtown Scottsdale.
We're told Ortega was mimicking their movements and chants -- in a demeaning way -- and that prompted some in the group to come over and confront him while filming.
TMZ obtained some footage of the confrontation, and it shows Ortega was out there to provoke and posture ... calling the Native Americans "f**king Indians," invoking MAGA and telling them to go back to Gallup, NM, which is home to a well-known reservation.
Ortega even came out for a tense face-to-face with the group at one point ... on a dare to say what he was saying to their faces. So, yeah ... he was looking for trouble and trying to get under the performers' skin. Unfortunately, he succeeded.
Luckily, there was no violence ... Ortega was whisked away by a friend, and the whole thing fizzled out after he went back into his establishment -- a business, BTW, that ironically sells Native American items.
Some members of the Native American group were upset enough to contact cops to complain. The Scottsdale Police Dept. tells us they're investigating the incident as "possible disorderly conduct" ... and, as of now, they don't see anything that rises to the level of a hate crime. That's subject to change based on the investigation.
Originally Published -- 12:40 AM PT
related articles
Lil Uzi Vert Caught Slippin' Poolside Outside NAV's Studio!!!
Lil Uzi Vert's futsal footwork couldn't save him after he tried to play leapfrog at NAV's outdoor pool ... and the Philly Eagles ambassador was caught in 4K slipping on his ass!!!
On Thursday, NAV posted studio cam of Uzi attempting to hop his way into the island in the middle of his pool -- only to slip on the border and embarrassingly plunge into the water!!!
NAV can be seen bursting out laughing to the point he misses the dap Uzi tried to give him to assure he didn't break any bones!!!
The two wavy artists are frequent collaborators so fans will be happy to know they have another collab coming, which may end up on Uzi's highly anticipated album ... a project he's been successfully building buzz for.
Uzi's been everywhere these past few weeks -- recently repping for the newer class of rappers at the Grammys' 50th-anniversary hip hop tribute, and even marching the Eagles to victory with his hit record "Just Wanna Rock" during their route to Super Bowl LVII.
The song's been climbing the Billboard charts -- recently reaching a new peak of #10, which may or may not be from DJ Drama's championing of the track over Meek Mill's time-tested "Dreams & Nightmares (Intro)" as the Eagles' anthem!!!