Il Pastaio Shooting ALLEGED GANG MEMBERS ARRESTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY
Cops and FBI agents have 3 men in custody who they say pulled off a daring armed robbery and shooting outside Bev Hills hot spot Il Pastaio ... injuring one woman.
The feds say the suspects are members of the Rollin' 30s Crips, and each is charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery for the violence that broke out at the restaurant back on March 4.
3/4/21
TMZ broke the story ... the armed robbery went down in broad daylight with the shooter and 2 accomplices going after a $500,000 Richard Mille watch a man was wearing. During the incident, a bystander ended up getting shot in the leg.
Additionally, the feds say the victim wearing the watch was held at gunpoint. During the struggle for the watch, the gunman fired 2 shots -- one of which hit the woman who was sitting nearby.
3/4/21
According to the feds, one of the alleged gang members' DNA was found on the robbery victim's clothing, and surveillance footage all 3 scouting the area before the robbery. Bev Hills cops, Santa Monica PD and the FBI teamed up to make the arrests.
The suspects face up to 20 years in federal prison, if convicted.
related articles
Gloria Gaynor Can Say Goodbye ... To New Jersey Home
Gloria Gaynor's still got all her life to live and all her love to give -- she just won't be doing it from the New Jersey pad she's called home for years.
The First Lady of Disco's put her customized and contemporary Green Brook home on the market, and the 5-bed 4.5-bath beauty is truly fit for a diva ... or anyone else who enjoys luxury and plenty of amenities.
Gloria's palace is more than 5,300 square feet with an open floor plan built for an entertainer ... plus, it has a large gourmet kitchen, fireplace, wet bar and a private home theater.
There's also an incredible pool enclosed by a glass atrium and a backyard area perfect for year-round gatherings with friends and family.
Gloria says she's had many of those over the years, and even built a stage near the pool for people to sing and dance ... very fitting.
Gaynor's home is on the market for $1,249,000. Lisa Poggi of Douglas Elliman is the exclusive listing agent.
related articles
Ellen DeGeneres Saying Goodbye to Talk Show in 2022 ... 'Just Not a Challenge Anymore'
-
Exclusive Details
- 12.7K shares
Ellen DeGeneres is about to hit the end of the road with her talk show -- the upcoming 19th season will be her last, TMZ has confirmed.
Production sources tell TMZ ... Ellen will make the announcement during a Wednesday taping. We're told when Ellen renewed her contract through 2022, she felt that would be the right time to end it, and it wasn't a secret to people close to her that she was walking away.
We're told Ellen's plans are NOT to retire. She'll take some time off to decide what's next. She recently signed a multi-year deal with Discovery ... on top of shows on NBC ('Game of Games,' 'Family Game Fight'), FOX ('Masked Singer') and HBO ('Ellen's Next Great Designer' and the upcoming Tig Notaro animated comedy special).
As for what her final season will entail ... we're told it'll be a huge celebration with tons of surprise guests. We're told Ellen's excited and looking forward to going out with a bang and focusing on ending the show on a strong note.
Ellen's planning to sit down with Oprah on May 13 to talk about the show's end.
As for why she's ending the show ... the comedian told The Hollywood Reporter, "When you're a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged -- and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it's just not a challenge anymore."
The news was not an abrupt decision. Ending the show had weighed on Ellen's mind since at least 2018. She told The New York Times her wife, Portia de Rossi, had implored her to call it a day. Ellen eventually signed on for 3 more seasons.
The show, which debuted in fall 2003, was philanthropic too -- reportedly making nearly $70 million in charitable donations and sinking more than $300 million into audience giveaways.
During her talk show run, Ellen earned the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2015 ... and Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
In 2019, former employees accused her of fostering a toxic work environment. In the wake of those allegations ... 3 of the show's executive producers were fired.
Ellen apologized to open her show last season saying, "I learned that things happened here that never should have happened. I take that vey seriously. And, I want to say that I am so sorry to the people who were affected."
She added, "I know that I am in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility. I take responsibility for what happens at my show."
When it's all said and done, Ellen will have aired more than 3,000 shows and done about 2,400 interviews.
related articles
TAWNY KITAEN No Foul Play Suspected in Death ... Brother Thinks it Was a Broken Heart
-
Exclusive
- 4.6K shares
Tawny Kitaen, the late actress who starred in "Bachelor Party," died of a broken heart ... so says her brother, who thinks losing their father was too much for Tawny to handle.
Jordan Kitaen tells TMZ ... police have spoken to the family, telling them there was nothing found at the scene suggesting drugs, pills or alcohol were a factor in her death ... and no signs she took her own life, either.
However, Jordan says Tawny was devastated by the recent death of her father, who passed away April 12 after a long battle with skin cancer. He believes the death was too much for Tawny's system to handle, especially because their dad's funeral was just days away when she died.
We're told Tawny, the oldest child, was extremely tight with their father, and Jordan describes their relationship as an "uncanny connection."
Jordan tells us he last spoke with Tawny Thursday, the night before she died, and she was in a good mood and excited about Mother's Day plans with her kids.
TMZ broke the story ... 59-year-old Tawny died Friday in Newport Beach, CA. The coroner has yet to determine the cause of death.
Tawny's substance abuse issues and arrest for drug possession and DUI were well-chronicled in the media, but her brother thinks she was in a good place before her sudden death.
Tawny's siblings laid their father to rest Monday in San Diego. We're told the family hasn't made a decision yet about where she will be buried.
related articles
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe Racist Asian Jokes in Austin, TX ... WME Parts Ways With Him
-
Exclusive Details
- 8.6K shares
May 2021
1:42 PM PT -- Tony's racist jokes appear to have cost him representation, because he no longer has a talent agent at WME.
Sources close to WME tell TMZ ... they parted ways with Tony earlier this week.
11:19 AM PT -- Comedian Peng Dang -- who'd just done a set before introducing Tony last week -- came on "TMZ Live" Wednesday to give us some more backstory into what had led up to the guy hurling a racial epithet aimed at Asians ... and what was going on behind the scenes.
Check out the clip ... Peng explains that prior to bringing Tony on, he himself had, ironically enough, actually done a few jokes about stopping Asian hate -- to which he says the crowd responded positively. That's why Peng says he was utterly shocked to hear Tony's jokes.
Peng tells us that while it might've looked like most of the audience members were laughing along with Tony as he hurled slur after slur ... that's not quite the case. He explains that there were a lot of people who were uncomfortable, especially the ladies in the room.
He ends by saying that if making fun of Asians was part of Tony's set, that's something Peng would accept and tolerate ... but notes that him dropping the c-word crossed the line.
A white comedian used the cloak of comedy to spew incredibly racist rhetoric against another comedian -- the guy who introduced him on stage -- without batting an eyelash.
Tony Hinchcliffe -- famous for writing for the 'Comedy Central Roast' series and working on Joe Rogan's podcast -- did a set last week in Austin, where fellow comic Peng Dang (who is of Chinese descent) introduced him at Big Laugh Comedy.
Dang was more than courteous in the intro, telling the crowd to "give it up for the one and only, Tony Hinchcliffe" ... but as soon as Tony grabbed the mic, he went right into excoriating Dang -- calling him a "filthy little f***ing c****" and going on to mock his accent.
The racism wasn't lost on Dang. He posted the clip and wrote, "Last week in Austin, I got to bring up Tony Hinchcliffe. This is what he said. Happy Asian (AAPI) Heritage Month!"
Now, one could argue Hinchcliffe is famously known as an insult comic -- he is -- and that this is right up his alley ... and he didn't mean anything by it. Even if true, times have changed -- so these types of jokes aren't gonna fly anymore, especially right now when violence against Asians is spiking nationwide. Frankly, these jokes are cheap and mean.
Tony hasn't responded to this yet -- but the guy's got shows coming up in Madison, WI this week ... and he runs a weekly podcast, so maybe he'll address it some time then.
Originally Published -- 6:49 AM PT
related articles
Rick Ross Police Chase Ends In Front Of Estate ... Cops Say Driver Had Gun
-
Exclusive
- 2.5K shares
12:07 PM PT -- 5/12 -- Law enforcement says the driver from the car chase jumped out of his car with a gun in his hand and ran onto Rick Ross' property.
We're told Rick's security let sheriff's deputies onto the grounds to search for the suspect, who was taken into custody at gunpoint.
We're also told Ross was not home at the time of the incident.
Rick Ross' Georgia estate is crawling with sheriff's deputies after a man allegedly armed with a gun led cops on a wild chase ... and now there's a hunt for the weapon.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Clayton County Sheriffs started a vehicle pursuit with a driver Tuesday after they got a call for a male with a gun. We're told the pursuit ended when the driver crashed near Ross' property and took off.
Our sources say law enforcement apprehended the driver, but sheriffs have not found the alleged gun and deputies are searching for the firearm on and around RR's property.
It's unclear if Rick was home at the time of the crash, but as you can see, his estate is the scene of a heavy police presence ... there's a boatload of sheriffs vehicles and tons of police.
Originally Published -- 5/11 4:24 PM PT
related articles
Forbes Conor McGregor Made $180M In 2020 World's Highest-Paid Athlete
-
Breaking News
- 392 shares
Conor McGregor wasn't stopped by COVID or a Dustin Poirier loss, 'cause the UFC superstar was the world's highest-earning athlete in 2020 ... reportedly raking in $180 MILLION!!
The 32-year-old earned a whopping $22 million for his UFC 252 2nd-round TKO loss to Diamond, but according to Forbes annual list of the World's Highest-Paid Athletes ... it was the whiskey money that carried McGregor to the top spot on the list.
Conor earned $158 million outside the Octagon ... and an overwhelming majority of that cash came from his sale of Proper 12 Irish Whiskey.
This marks the first time McGregor -- consistently one of the highest-paid athletes -- has topped the list.
In 2018, The Notorious came in 4th ... earning $99 million -- largely from his superfight with Floyd Mayweather.
Speaking of Money Mayweather ... Floyd -- who didn't fight in 2020 -- failed to make the list.
As far as the remainder of the top 10 ... there are 3 international soccer players, 2 NBA players, 2 NFL QB's, a race car driver and a tennis player.
2️⃣ Lionel Messi $130 mil.
3️⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo $120 mil.
4️⃣ Dak Prescott $107.5 mil.
5️⃣ LeBron James $96.5 mil.
6️⃣ Neymar $95 mil.
7️⃣ Roger Federer $90 mil.
8️⃣ Lewis Hamilton $82 mil.
9️⃣ Tom Brady $76.
🔟 Kevin Durant $75 mil.
What's funny ... back in 2016, Conor joked with then highest-paid athlete, Ronaldo ... telling the soccer superstar that he was coming for the #1 spot.
Took a few years ... but, mission accomplished!
related articles
Sarah Palin Mocks Mask Wearing at LAX ... I'm 'Going Rogue,' Guys!!!
Sarah Palin has emerged from the Alaskan shadows to do something very on-brand -- mocking mask-wearing inside an airport ... treating it like a giant joke.
The former Alaskan Governor, and one-time running mate to John McCain, posted a video to her social media ... telling her followers she was at LAX, and that she was "going rogue" by having her mask down while talking to the camera.
She seemed pretty giddy about it ... and was clearly being sarcastic as she joked about being "outside," meaning down here in the States outside her of Alaskan utopia -- where she might be able to get away with not wearing a mask in public these days.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Sarah has demonstrated she does NOT like face coverings ... and now that we're finally turning a corner in the pandemic, she seems to think it's cool to poke fun at it when in reality -- they're still necessary, especially at a place like LAX.
Airports are the key to unlocking the ability to go places, like vacations and business travel. They're also a little dicey because people are in such close proximity to each other, both in the terminal and on the plane. So in many ways, it's where mask-wearing makes the most sense.
If she'd pulled her mask down on the DL, that wouldn't have been the end of the world (assuming she was distanced) -- but her big show on-camera is ridiculous ... though certainly on-brand.
related articles
Phylicia Rashad Heading Back to Howard University ... As a Dean!!!
-
Breaking News
- 58.3K shares
Legendary TV mom Phylicia Rashad is taking on a new important leadership role ... joining Howard University as Dean of its recently reestablished College of Fine Arts.
The iconic actress -- best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on "The Cosby Show" -- will begin her gig at the historically Black research university on July 1 ... according to the college.
Rashad's a Howard alum -- as well as a sister of Alpha Kappa Alpha -- who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in fine arts ... so it seems like a pretty perfect fit.
Provost Anthony K. Wutoh says ... "In this full circle moment, Ms. Phylicia Rashad will take the training and skills that she honed as a student at Howard and exuded in an outstanding performing career, and she will share those pearls of wisdom with the next generation of students in the College of Fine Arts."
Howard Univ. President, Dr. Wayne Frederick, adds ... "I can think of no individual better suited to take on this role than Ms. Phylicia Rashad."
Before joining the staff at Howard, Rashad had previously served as a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty member ... even conducting master’s-level classes. She also served on Howard’s Board of Trustees from 1996 through 1999 and then again from 2013 to 2016.
She also once served as the late Chadwick Boseman's mentor when he attended Howard -- and pulled some strings for him and other student actors by asking Denzel Washington to pay for a summer theater program that they couldn't quite afford on their own at the time.
Rashad says, "It is a privilege to serve in this capacity and to work with the Howard University administration, faculty and students in reestablishing the College of Fine Arts."
related articles
Frank Sinatra Palm Desert Home Hits Market ... $4.25 Mil to Get Away from It All!!!
-
Exclusive
- 1.7K shares
Frank Sinatra's former hideaway in the California desert is for sale ... and it's the perfect spot for someone wanting to maintain social distancing even when the pandemic's over.
"Ol' Blue Eyes" built the isolated mountain retreat high above the Palm Desert back in 1970 as an ideal getaway, and the 7.5-acre secluded compound features an abundance of space and luxury.
Dubbed the "Villa Maggio" -- named for the character that earned him an Oscar in "From Here to Eternity" -- the property was a personal residence for Sinatra for many years ... and provided a spot to escape, relax and party with friends and family.
The main house has 5 beds and 5.5 baths, but there's also a 3-bedroom guest house ... and a 1-bed pool house to go with the resort-style pool.
Though it's been recently renovated, Frank's home still has the tiles and wallpaper he chose in many places -- and all restoration's aimed to keep the home as close as possible to the original.
Of course, it's got panoramic mountain and valley views and parking for a few dozen cars -- but the real baller feature is ... the helipad!!! Screw that commuter traffic.
It's almost as if Sinatra had this place in mind when he sang his 1958 hit, "Let's Get Away from It All."
The Villa Maggio's listed at $4.25 million. Markus Canter and Cristie St. James of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties hold the listing.
related articles
Michael Jordan Refuses To Erase Final Kobe Texts From Phone ... 'I Just Can't Delete It'
-
Breaking News
- 168.8K shares
Michael Jordan is still so torn up over losing Kobe Bryant ... he says he can't bring himself to erase the final text messages he received from the Lakers legend just days before his death.
The NBA's G.O.A.T. revealed this week his last talks with Bryant went down on Dec. 8, 2019 ... just 49 days before Kobe and his daughter, Gianna, were killed in a helicopter crash.
Jordan told ESPN's Jackie MacMullen the convo was simple ... Kobe complimented his new tequila, asked about his family, and commented on coaching Gianna's girl's basketball team.
"This tequila is awesome," Jordan said Kobe texted after he had sent over a bottle.
"Thank you, my brother," Jordan says he responded.
"Yes, sir. Family good?" Kobe replied.
"All good. Yours?"
"All good."
Jordan continued ... "Happy holidays, and hope to catch up soon. Coach Kobe??!"
"Ah, back at you, man," MJ says Kobe wrote back. "Hey, coach, I'm sitting on the bench right now, and we're blowing this team out. 45-8."
Jordan says the messages -- particularly the one about dominating with Gianna's team -- mean a lot to him -- explaining, "I just love that text because it shows Kobe's competitive nature."
Jordan added, "I don't know why, but I just can't delete it."
As we previously reported, Jordan was picked by Vanessa Bryant to present Kobe at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremonies this Saturday in Massachusetts.
Jordan says the honor is huge -- and he promised he'd be emotional remembering his good friend during the evening.
"It's like standing up for a family member," Jordan said. "He paid me the highest respect by trying to emulate certain things I did."
"And I can only repay that by showing my support and admiration for a guy who I felt was one of the greatest to ever play the game."
related articles
Carole Baskin Calls Out Senators Ted Cruz, John Cornyn ... Loose Tiger in Texas Was Preventable!!!
Carole Baskin is putting Ted Cruz and John Cornyn on blast over the tiger that got loose in Texas, saying the Senators could have prevented it if they'd done their jobs in Congress.
The 'Tiger King' star squarely put the blame on the Lone Star state's Senators Wednesday morning ... saying exotic cat crises have become too common in TX. Earlier this year, there was another loose tiger in San Antonio, and a couple was also arrested there for having a tiger cub and a bobcat.
Carole says Cruz and Cornyn screwed up because the Senate failed to bring the Big Cat Public Safety Act to a vote in the Senate last year, after the House passed it.
The bill would prohibit cruel activities associated with the big cat trade but, more specifically, it would ban private individuals from possessing lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars or any hybrid of these species.
Carole told CNN she hopes the senators change their tune this time around. The House reintroduced the bill earlier this year and, once again, it's back in the Senate's hands. So far, it has bipartisan support, and Carole says she hopes Cruz and Cornyn act this time around.
As we reported, the loose tiger this week in a Houston suburb was nearly shot by a neighbor who happened to be a cop. The owner of the tiger eventually showed up and stuffed the animal into a Jeep and fled before cops arrived.
Carole commended the off-duty Sheriff's deputy for showing incredible restraint in not emptying his weapon on the cat, and for knowing how to act around a wild animal.
related articles
DMX Tribute Show in Texas ... Will be a Family Affair
-
Exclusive
- 307 shares
DMX fans going to his tribute show in Texas later this month are in for an even more special treat than expected because his family will be there ... and one of his daughters is going to take the mic.
We broke the story ... the late rapper was scheduled to perform at the Wildcatter Saloon in Katy, TX in late May, but after his death, the bar decided to throw a tribute concert.
Justin, owner of the Wildcatter, tells us he's been working hard to add acts to the event -- and now, DMX's fiancee, Desiree, and their son, Exodus, will make an appearance.
We're told Desiree plans to take the stage at some point and deliver a short speech as part of the tribute.
Justin says X's 8-year-old daughter, Sonovah Hillman Jr., and her mother will be attending ... with Sonovah set to perform in honor of her daddy.
Sonovah wowed the crowd at DMX's memorial service in Brooklyn last month, and we're told she plans to do something similar -- a rendition of "Slippin'" -- at the Texas show.
Justin says Sonovah will likely be the second to the last act, with OG Ruff Ryder Drag-On closing the show.
The bar owner tells us it was really important to get family and close friends of X's participating in the tribute concert.
The Wildcatter Saloon show goes down May 29.
related articles
John Wayne Gacy Property Where He Murdered 33 Finally Sells
-
Exclusive
- 531 shares
The home that sits on the lot where John Wayne Gacy murdered 33 boys and young men back in '70s has sold ... after quite a slash in the original asking price.
As we told you ... the property hit the market in late 2019 for $459,000, but there were no takers for more than a year ... alas, it finally has a new owner.
According to property records, obtained by TMZ ... the buyer purchased the home for $395,000.
Now, to be clear, the actual house that sits on the lot is NOT Gacy's former residence. In 1979, a year after police made the grisly discovery of 29 rotting bodies at Gacy's home, it was demolished.
Seven years later, a new house was built on the lot ... and that's the one that just sold.
Still, the macabre history of the property -- a 3-bed, 2-bath "beautiful brick home" with an updated kitchen overlooking a huge backyard -- might be too creepy for most people ... but apparently not the new homeowner.
That is, IF the new homeowner even knew about the property's past. In Illinois, murders don't have to be disclosed ... but if a prospective buyer asks about it the realtor must be honest.
related articles
Lil Pump Cops Say 4 Suspects Seen on Video Breaking into Rolls, Range Rover
-
Exclusive Details
- 357 shares
Lil Pump is fuming after his luxury whips were broken into on Mother's Day, but the only good news is ... we've learned the 4 suspects were caught on camera committing the crime.
According to a Miami Beach PD report, obtained by TMZ, 4 unknown suspects hopped the wall of a house around 6 AM and found the 3 pricey whips -- a Range Rover, Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Rolls-Royce Wraith -- parked there.
Cops say surveillance video shows the suspects looking inside the cars before one of them smashed the left rear panel of the Range Rover and swiped a cosmetic nail kit worth $600.
Cops say another suspect is seen getting into the Wraith through an unlocked passenger door, though that person apparently didn’t take anything. Cops say another suspect smashed the rear windshield of the Cullinan ... triggering an alarm that prompted the headlights and taillights to flash.
According to the report ... the alarm startled the suspects who then hopped back over the fence and fled the scene.
Lil Pump is NOT named in the police report but his mother is listed as a victim of the alleged crimes. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... this is the incident the "Gucci Gang" rapper described while going off on Instagram Live.
Pump was visibly outraged saying, "That’s how y’all wanna play? I’mma be up for the next 3, 4 days. Come back to my f***ing house. I’mma blow your fucking head off."
The suspects are still on the loose. We reached out to Lil Pump's rep about the incident, but they declined to comment.
related articles
Lamar Odom Looking Polished Ahead Of Aaron Carter Fight ... New Sparring Video Shows
-
Exclusive
- 196 shares
Lamar Odom is looking GOOOOOOOD ... new sparring footage obtained by TMZ Sports shows the ex-NBA star is really getting the hang of boxing ahead of his bout with Aaron Carter.
The 41-year-old has been training like a mad man for his June 11 Celebrity Boxing tilt against the pop singer at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City ... and it's clear the former hooper has hands!!
Check out the footage ... Odom -- who by the way is looking svelte and in shape -- is stringing together combos and moving around the canvas like a pro.
The power might not be there just yet -- but, hey, it's still a month away from fight night!!
As for Aaron, he's been taking the scrap seriously too ... getting in training sessions constantly and hitting the mitts as well.
In fact, we've also obtained some clips from one of Carter's recent sparring sessions ... and he ain't looking half bad either!!
We know ... it's not exactly Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury here -- but the event is still shaping up to be some must-see TV.
Plus, we're told Ice-T will be on the broadcast providing color commentary!!
Four more weeks away ... getcha popcorn ready.