East Coast actor Matt Salinger is best known for playing the top-secret genetically modified superhuman, Steve Rogers -- who is thawed out decades later and saves the White House from destruction as the shield-wielding Captain America -- in the classic 1990 Marvel movie "Captain America."
Salinger was cast alongside Scott Paulinas the freaky-looking fascist, Red Skull ... who is covered in red scars and tries to trigger nuclear explosions but ultimately falls off a cliff instead.
Fun Fact: Matt Salinger is the son of the famed "The Catcher in the Rye" writer, J.D. Salinger.
President Trump's highly touted Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza at Mount Rushmore isn't coming cheap -- it will cost the country well over half a million bucks ... and could cause a spike in coronavirus cases to boot.
The July 3 celebration with be the first at the South Dakota landmark since 2009 due to environmental issues, and Trump's really hyping it up ... while ignoring the COVID-19 related risks of gathering thousands for a fireworks display.
Nevertheless, POTUS and the First Lady Melania will travel to Rushmore Friday to take in the celebration ... which TMZ's learned has a price tag of nearly $600k, if not more.
According to federal procurement docs ... an environmental consulting service called Ero Resources Corporation was paid $138,800 to work on the event. Another consulting company got over $30k for permit review and display inspection, while a protective services business landed nearly $33k to provide security and screening.
But, that's not all ... the docs show nearly $30k spent on National Fire Protection Association code consultation ... and about $3,500 on portable toilets.
Add it all up and that's $234,247, and THEN tack on the $350k paid to a California company called Pyro Spectaculars for the actual fireworks show ... and the total is $584,247.
And, keep in mind ... this doesn't even factor in the scheduled flyover!!!
Also, if you aren't aware ... social distancing won't be enforced at the large gathering -- according to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who worked with Trump to make it happen -- despite the fact COVID cases are on the rise across the U.S.
Gov. Noem says free face masks will be given out to those who want them, but "we won't be social distancing. We're asking them to come, be ready to celebrate, to enjoy the freedoms and the liberties that we have in this country."
America's top doc in the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has some sage words of advice for those who wanna get outta dodge for the long Fourth of July weekend.
We got Dr. Tony on Capitol Hill -- where he was masked and on the move -- and asked what factors make a vacation safe ... and unsafe.
Fauci, as always, makes solid points. It depends on where you live and the COVID rate of infection. Makes sense, because if you live in a spike state and you and your family have been out and about, then maybe think twice about leaving.
The good doc also says you have to look at where you want to go ... what's the level of infection. And, of course, no matter what, masks folks ... and social distancing.
Here's "Iron" Mike Tyson tossing a steel cage around an L.A. beach this week like it's a toy ... and it's pretty fun to watch!!
Unclear why Mike hit the sand ... but it's all obviously part of a larger production -- hence the video cameras and crew members (all of whom were wearing masks btw, so props on that!).
In addition to the cage flip, Tyson was also spotted carrying buckets of bloody fish, tossing life rafts and wearing snorkeling equipment.
Tyson just turned 54 years old this week ... and has said he wants to get back in the ring for some exhibition boxing matches -- but so far, nothing's a done deal.
The boxing legend told us he'd even be down to take on his old rival Evander Holyfield (who's also training for a comeback) but only if they could raise a bunch of money for charity.
"That would be awesome for charity," Tyson told us back in May ... "Can you imagine me and him going in the ring together?"
Tyson is also the focus of an upcoming movie -- with Jamie Foxx playing the boxer ... and he's already transforming his body into fighting shape.
Dr. Charles Sophy -- one of the leading psychiatrists in the country - has a scary outlook on the direction America's heading -- downright terrifying -- but on the bright side ... he thinks we can turn it around.
The famous shrink joined "TMZ Live" Friday, and we wanted to know ... why all the craziness right now?! It seems even the smallest thing sends people into a rage.
Unfortunately, Dr. Sophy thinks it's gonna get worse ... because we're in a perfect storm of chaos.
The way the doc describes it, people are lashing out because they feel contained, caged, and they don't have control of their lives ... due largely in part to COVID-19, but also because of the ever-pronounced divisions in this country.
The question no one can answer -- what will the next 6 months hold? Scary to even ponder.
Liliana Barrios -- who starred in a couple of seasons of "Black Ink Crew: Chicago" -- allegedly went on a violent rage after catching her GF in bed with another woman ... this according to cops who arrested her for assault.
The incident went down June 3 in San Antonio where cops say Barrios and her GF got into a verbal altercation at their apartment before it turned violent ... this according to a police report obtained by TMZ.
Cops say during the argument, Barrios decided to take off for the night. When she returned the next day to pick up clothes, cops say Barrios got heated after catching her 22-year-old GF in bed with another woman ... triggering another argument.
Cops allege Barrios pushed her GF onto the couch and a struggle ensued ... with Barrios allegedly scratching her GF's neck, arm and biting her right leg. The officer claims they observed scratches and abrasions on the GF's right knee. Cops say Barrios was the aggressor and “intentionally and knowingly caused bodily injury."
Barrios -- the ex-GF of a recurring cast member on 'Black Ink' from seasons 2 to 5 -- was arrested for assault/bodily injury on a cohabitant.
We've reached out to Barrios for comment, so far no word back.
An ultra-rare signed LeBron James rookie card -- featuring a piece of his game-worn jersey -- just passed the $1 MILLION mark at auction ... and experts say the number could DOUBLE before it's over.
That's $2 MILLION. For a basketball card. For real.
The card is from the 2003-2004 Upper Deck Exquisite collection -- it's one of only 23 ever produced.
The quality of the card was graded "9.5" by Beckett (considered Gem Mint) and the autograph was a perfect "10."
The rarity of the card combined with the near-perfect grading makes the item a collector's dream -- and rich enthusiasts have already proven they're willing to spend big money to own it.
So far, the card has received 22 bids on the Goldin Auctions website -- with the current price at $1,020,000.
The bidding started at $150k -- but it racked up in days and with more than 2 weeks left in the auction, we're told a $2 million bid isn't out the question.
Even if it doesn't get another bid -- the $1 mil price would make the Bron card the most expensive modern-era card of all-time (surpassing a Mike Trout card that sold for $900K).
We're talking NBA, MLB, NFL, and any other sport out there.
And, get this ... Goldin Auctions also tells us a $1 mil gavel price would make the card the highest-selling LBJ piece ever.
But surely, there must be more expensive Michael Jordan items, right?
Nope ... Goldin says there ain't a card, shoe, or MJ jersey out there that's cracked the $1 mil barrier.
If you want in, there's time left ... the auction doesn't close till July 18.
Tanning on dry land is for suckers when you've got these fancy floats to soak in the sun on!
These lounging ladies have been coastin' through this quarantine and we can see why ... These hot poolside pics have made it very clear these sexy stars have been proudly making room for some much needed me-time, and are enjoying every bit of sunshine!
From stars such as Bella Hadid and Saweetie to Sofia Vergara and Cara Santana there are plenty of hot shots to go around!
Take a look at all the ladies that have been sunbathing in style by scrolling through our gallery of buoyant summer babes!
The face mask controversy is officially everywhere, because even nudist resorts are requiring guests to cover up -- a decision that's chapping some bare asses.
Now, while most nude resort visitors are taking the one piece of clothing rule in stride, there are some naked naysayers shouting down the face mask. Among their gripes ... mask tan lines, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Solair Recreation League, a clothing-free resort in Connecticut, says it prides itself on a "no tan lines" motto, so it's been a difficult adjustment, and some guests have complained.
But, let's get to the bottom line here ... as posed by the Cypress Cove Nudist Resort in Kissimmee, FL -- "If you’re wearing a face mask, are you really nude?"
Apparently, that's a big hangup for many, who feel it's their right to be completely in the buff if they are at a nudist resort, and there should be no exceptions. You get the point ... face mask face-offs are brewing at nude joints.
WATCH: Saturday night dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse in Little Rock turned violent after one customer was upset about the lack of social distancing. Hear from someone who saw it all go down tonight on @KARK4News and @FOX16News Warning: profanity is used. pic.twitter.com/wsez397453
Let's hope they don't end with the kind of madness we've already seen around the country -- no one wants to see broken bottles and nudists rolling around in a fight. Right? Okay, maybe that's just us.
Still, most guests are complying for the greater good, and even better news -- their naked bods are getting a greater dose of vitamin D than most ... which scientists have said helps ya fight COVID.
The Atlas Restaurant Group says there was nothing racist about refusing service to a black mother and her child for violating their dress code -- and it's offering what it calls "proof" ... but it's pretty thin.
As TMZ reported, Marcia Grant is taking legal action against the group for an incident last month at Ouzo Bay restaurant in Baltimore. Marcia and her 9-year-old son, Dallas, were turned away because of his athletic shorts, but Marcia spotted a white child who was dressed nearly identically enjoying a meal.
In response to Grant's accusations, Atlas -- the parent company of Ouzo Bay -- claims Dallas' shorts were, in fact, different from the white kid's.
Its explanation is the white kid was wearing "J. Crew 'khaki'” type shorts, with front and back pockets, a zipper, and button closure in front."
Beyond breaking down zippers and pockets ... Atlas is also playing what can best be described as the "I have Black friends" card.
Its released screen grabs from Ouzo's surveillance video showing other Black customers in the restaurant around the time Marcia and Dallas were denied.
As Atlas puts it, "Restaurant surveillance video throughout that same day at Ouzo Bay demonstrates that the customers of Ouzo Bay look exactly like the population of Baltimore City – diverse. Countless African-American patrons were welcomed into the restaurant that day to enjoy its food, atmosphere, and drinks."
That statement, of course, avoids the heart of Marcia's complaint ... that her son was treated differently from a white child in very similar clothing. Her only issue is with the manager's allegedly uneven application of the dress code.
Atlas claims her video of the encounter doesn't tell the whole story of what happened that day.
You'll remember ... Atlas immediately fired 2 employees following the incident, but claims the firings weren't because they discriminated against the family, but instead, "Atlas was not satisfied with the level of sensitivity, discretion, and judgment demonstrated by management on-duty at the time."
We had Marcia, Dallas and their attorney Donte Mills, on 'TMZ Live' this week to explain how Dallas has been affected, and how they're trying to make him understand ... he did nothing wrong.
Atlas says it made multiple attempts to make things right with Marcia but she refused to listen ... they say instead, she was busy interviewing attorneys, hiring a publicist and setting up a GoFundMe -- which has now been taken down -- for Dallas.
4:47 PM PT -- Here are the mugshots for the arrested couple, Eric and Jillian Wuestenberg.
UPDATE
UPDATE
2:06 PM PT -- The Oakland County Sheriff tells TMZ ... the couple who drew their guns were both taken into custody and charged with one count of felony assault.
A heated racial exchange in a Detroit area parking lot -- between a white woman and black mom and her daughter -- led to the woman pulling a gun and pointing it right at the mother's face.
The argument allegedly started Wednesday evening because the white woman bumped into Takelia Hill's 15-year-old daughter, Makayla, as she was entering a Chipotle in Orion Township, MI.
Makayla claims she moved out of the way, but tells The Detroit News ... "She bumped me and I said, ‘Excuse you.’ And then she started cussing me out, and saying things like I was invading her personal space."
Takelia then got involved and that's when the racial tension started rising. As the white woman and a male companion got into their SUV, Makayla and her mom accused them of being racist. The man got out of the car and asked, "Who the f**k do you think you guys are?"
The white woman shouted, "White people aren't racist, no one's racist" -- and then started to back out and leave ... but Takelia was apparently behind the SUV or near it. She claims they were about to hit her, and it sounds like Takelia banged on their window -- and that's when the white woman got out with her pistol ... and aimed it directly at Takelia's face.
The white woman screamed, "Don't you f***ing jump behind my car. Get the f**k back! Back up! Get the f**k back! Back the f**k up!"
Thankfully, the woman finally decided to put the gun down and get back in her SUV to leave ... as cops were called. Takelia says the incident traumatized her and her 3 daughters ... who were in their vehicle.
We've reached out to police, who say they are still investigating the incident but a report has been taken.
The NFL is planning to make a huge statement when the season kicks off ... with the league reportedly deciding to play the Black National Anthem before every Week 1 game.
"Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing" -- which is often referred to as the Black National Anthem -- will be played before the 'Star-Spangled Banner' prior to every game in the first week of the season, according to ESPN.
It was originally written as a poem by African-American civil rights leader James Weldon Johnson in 1899 -- and later set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson.
It was first performed in public as part of a celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday on February 12, 1900, according to the NAACP.
Several NBA teams have played the song during Black History Month over the years -- and Beyonce famously performed part of it during her iconic Coachella performance in 2018.
Jay-Z and his social justice team are going all out to get a Wisconsin cop fired and charged in the killings of 3 men of color -- they've posted a full-page ad demanding it.
Jay's Team ROC took out the ad Thursday in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, calling for the immediate prosecution and termination of police officer Joseph Mensah ... who has recently come to light for reportedly shooting and killing 3 men of color during police stops in Wauwatosa, WI within a 5-year span.
The ad -- an open letter to Milwaukee County DA John Chisholm -- starts with a simple question ... "how many more people must die at the hands of Officer Joseph Mensah?"
The letter goes on to name the men of color reportedly killed by Mensah -- Alvin Cole, Antonio Gonzales and Jay Anderson -- while describing his actions as "utter disregard" for their lives.
According to reports ... Mensah fired 8 times to kill Gonzales in 2015, unloaded 6 shots to kill Anderson in 2016 and shot Cole 5 times in February after he shouted “no gun.” He allegedly failed to administer CPR to the victims in each case, as well, and failed to engage his dash camera in 2 of the incidents.
2/2/2020
Wauwatosa Police Department
There is dash cam footage of the most recent incident -- which resulted in the death of Cole, who was just 17 years old -- but it doesn't clearly reveal what happened.
Team ROC's letter goes on to question the Wauwatosa PD's reported failure to mandate body cams and preserve video evidence, before calling for the prosecution of Mensah "to ensure that he never kills anyone again."
The letter states there have been no other fatal shootings by the police dept. since Mensah joined the force in 2015, and asks ... "Doesn't that tell you something?"
Team ROC's demanding justice -- along with mandatory body cams for all cops -- and closes by stating ... "Nineteen shots and three deaths in five years are not a pattern of accidents."
We've reached out to the D.A.'s office ... so far no word back.
Hugh Downs -- a broadcasting legend with 60 years experience on "Today," "20/20" and 'The Tonight Show' -- has died.
Hugh died Wednesday at his home in Scottsdale, AZ ... according to his family, who released a statement Friday, saying his passing is not related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hugh was one of TV's most familiar faces during his incredibly long and successful run as a broadcaster ... he co-anchored NBC's "Today" show from 1962 to 1971 and is most remembered for his 21 years as Barbara Walters' co-host on ABC's "20/20."
Downs was also known for his signature sign-off during his time at "20/20" ... ending the nightly program with this gem, "We're in touch, so you be in touch."
Hugh was on the tube for so long, at one point he held the record for most hours spent in front of a TV camera with a whopping 15,188 ... a long-standing record eventually topped by Regis Philbin.
While Hugh officially retired from "20/20" way back in 1999, he lent his smooth voice to a number of TV specials and documentary films during the 2000s.
Hugh was born in Akron, Ohio and he got his broadcasting start on radio in Detroit and Chicago before moving to TV in 1949 as an announcer on a classic children's puppet show called, "Kukla, Fran and Ollie."
Downs also served as the announcer for one of the earliest versions of NBC's "Tonight Show," working alongside Jack Paar in the late 1950s and early '60s.
He even launched one of the most popular daytime shows in the 1960s, "Concentration," a memory-matching game he hosted for over a decade.
Downs worked for PBS too, for much of the 1990s he was the host of the network's "Live From Lincoln Center" broadcasts.
10:36 AM PT -- Vanilla Ice just canceled his performance in Austin ... saying he didn't know the numbers were so crazy in Austin. The rapper said the concert had been booked a long time ago, but with cases spiking in Texas and across the nation, Vanilla Ice says the best thing to do right now is cancel it and keep everyone safe. Good call.
Vanilla Ice is offering fans a warning -- come see my concert at your own risk, cuz it could cost you your life, but the local health department's going even further ... saying stay away from his show.
The "Ice Ice Baby" rapper is set to perform Friday night at Emerald Point Bar & Grill in the popular tourist spot of Lake Travis ... 30 minutes outside of downtown Austin. The concert's being dubbed The Independence Day Throwback Beach Party at a multi-tier outdoor venue that can host as many as 5,000 fans -- but due to social distancing, they're only selling 2,500 tickets.
Fans wanting to buy tix are hit with a warning: “Important notice re COVID-19: Please note any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and we cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed while in attendance at the event. The event organizer is solely responsible for the health and safety of this event. We encourage you to follow the organizer’s safety policies, as well as local laws and restrictions.”
That warning isn't cutting it with the Travis County Health Dept. ... whose spokesperson, Jen Samp, tells TMZ ... "This is not wise regardless of who is performing at any gathering right now. The best way to be nostalgic is by protecting your parents and grandparents and staying home."
The "nostalgic line" is a clear shot at Ice's IG post promoting the concert.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
The rapper posted this video over the weekend showing packed concertgoers. He captioned the video, "I can’t wait to get back to this. The 90s were the best. We didn’t have coronavirus, or cell phones, or computers. We had 5.0‘s, blockbuster, Beavis and Butthead, Wayne’s world, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. And Mortal Kombat is still better than fortnight but we got out of the house, We danced, we invented house parties in the 90s. The last of the great decades."
Samp isn't getting sucked in by all that '90s talk. She's flat-out saying, "Don't go to this concert. If you do go to the concert or anywhere else publicly, wear a mask and socially distance, have sanitizer in your pocket and wash your hands every time you arrive at a new place."
She added the fact people will be drinking booze, means they'll be less aware of their actions ... like touching their faces and forgetting to wash hands.
Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott's recently ordered all bars closed and capped restaurant capacity to 50 percent. The order comes on the heels of the state hitting a new record of cases ... with 8,076 reported Wednesday. Hospitalizations have also reached dangerous levels.
Emerald Point Bar & Grill -- which, BTW, is hosting other music acts the entire weekend -- remains open because technically it's considered a restaurant.
Not even a global pandemic can hurt President Trump's golf game ... U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham says POTUS went OFF on the course over the weekend, shooting a stunning 74!!!
FYI ... a 74 is professional golfer territory -- most amateurs struggle to break 100 ... so yeah, Graham says Trump's swing is in top shape at the moment.
The two were spotted out at Trump's National Golf Club in Virginia over the weekend ... and when Graham was asked about the round on "Fox And Friends" on Thursday -- he said Trump dominated.
"I've never seen him play this well," the S.C. senator said. "I mean, he's got more on his shoulders -- I'm hoping, 'OK, you know he's a little distracted.' He beat me like a drum!"
Graham says Trump carded a 74 ... which would be just 2-over par on both courses at the club -- a staggering score for a guy who's got so much on his plate at the moment.
CNN was able to shoot some footage of Donald on the tee at one hole ... but no word on where that shot ended up.
Of course, Trump's touted himself as a hell of a golfer over the years ... but guys like Samuel L. Jackson and Oscar De La Hoya swear he's a cheater on the links.
Then again, John Daly told us last year Trump is definitely NOT out there fudging scorecards.
As for Graham, he seems to be siding with Daly ... adding of the round, "It was amazing ... I'm not joking!"
