'Melrose Place' Actor Morgan Stevens Dead at 70

Television Actor Morgan Stevens, who appeared in some iconic shows, passed away at his home Wednesday ... TMZ has learned.

A source close to Stevens says he hadn’t been seen or heard from in a few days, which is when a neighbor called authorities to do a wellness check. Police have confirmed with TMZ ... Stevens was found in his kitchen, where he was pronounced dead. They suspect no foul play, and he most likely died of natural causes.

Morgan was best known for his work on the show “Fame”, in which he played teacher David Reardon for two seasons. He was also a recurring character on “Melrose Place” and “A Year in the Life”. He made guest appearances on a variety of shows, including “Murder, She Wrote”, “One Day at a Time”, and “Murder One”, with “Walker, Texas Ranger” being his last appearance on television.

In the ’90s, Stevens was a victim of alleged police brutality when he was arrested for an alleged DUI. He claimed after 90 minutes of waiting in a jail cell, he refused to hand back the shirt that was given, which is when two jailers kicked and beat him over two dozen times.

Stevens left jail with a broken nose, a fractured cheek, a dislocated jaw and nerve damage as a result. He later sued and an out-of-court settlement was reached.

Morgan was 70 years old.

RIP.

Adele Caesars Turns to Keith Urban ... After She Scraps Residency

Adele is out and Keith Urban is in ... and it didn't take Caesars Palace long to find a replacement after the singer postponed her Las Vegas residency.

The country music singer says he's just been booked for 5 shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in March and April ... and some of those dates were previously reserved for Adele's shows.

Keith says he's playing the weekends of March 25-26 and April 1-2 ... plus a weekday gig on March 30, and those weekend dates used to be part of Adele's 3-month residency, which is now on ice.

TMZ broke the story ... Adele's Vegas residency is postponed because she's displeased with the production, and not because of her initial claims of a massive COVID outbreak on her crew.

1/20/22
WRECKED BY COVID
@adele / Twitter

As we told you, our sources said Adele was unhappy with the sound system, choir and various set pieces ... plus other items associated with the show, and the folks at Caesars were "shocked" when she pulled the plug at the last minute.

Now, the set Adele was unhappy with is reportedly being hauled out of Caesars ... while the resort is moving fast to replace her, and fill those empty seats she's created in the 4,100-seat Colosseum.

NBA YoungBoy SWAT Team Raids Mom's TX Home 3 Men Arrested, Guns Seized

A Texas home owned by NBA YoungBoy -- where his mother currently lives -- became the target of an intense SWAT raid ... resulting in the arrests of 3 men and the seizure of multiple weapons.

A spokesperson for the Harris Co. Sheriff's Office tells TMZ, SWAT officers served a warrant at the property Tuesday morning. We're told NBA Youngboy purchased the home, and his mom, Sherhonda Gaulden, lives there ... although it's unclear if she was home when cops arrived.

FULLY SURROUNDED
TMZ.com

Neither YoungBoy or his mother were arrested ... but cops call the 3 men who were busted associates of YoungBoy. We're told they were arrested on charges ranging from aggravated robbery to aggravated assault.

The Sheriff spokesperson, Thomas Gilliland, tells TMZ the arrests are related to the November shooting. Cops say the man was shot multiple times in the body and head, but survived and is out of the hospital now.

We're told the SWAT team also seized weapons, including AR-15s, pistols and long guns.

As we reported, NBA YoungBoy was released on bond from federal prison back in October after serving time related to a gun case. Not only did he have to fork over $500,000 to make it happen, but he's was ordered to sit in home confinement in Utah until his trial date.

Kobe & Gigi Bryant Statue Erected At Crash Site ... 160-Pound Sculpture

A sculptor in Los Angeles has honored the anniversary of the deaths of Kobe and Gigi Bryant by placing a statue of the two at the site where they tragically passed away in 2020.

The artist, Dan Medina, tells TMZ Sports he created the 160-pound bronze figure and pulled it up to the scene in Calabasas via a wagon on Wednesday.

HONORING THEIR LEGACY
TMZSports.com

The sculpture is only a temporary piece -- Medina says he'll haul it back down at sunset -- but the artist tells us he's hoping the city will allow him to put up a larger, more life-sized version permanently at the site.

The artwork, while smaller than what Medina hopes it'll ultimately end up being, is incredible -- it's a depiction of Kobe in a Lakers uniform with his arm around Gigi, who's also in a basketball uniform holding a ball.

At the base of the statue, Medina added the names of all nine of the victims who tragically died in the helicopter crash on the Calabasas hillside on Jan. 26, 2020.

"Heroes come and go," words on the base of the statue read, "but legends are forever."

As we previously reported, Kobe, Gigi and the others were on their way to a girls basketball game, when the chopper suddenly wrecked in the terrain.

Tributes to the Bryants and the other victims of the crash have poured in on the anniversary Wednesday, with athletes and celebs from all over remembering them all on social media.

In fact, Kobe's old Lakers teammate, Lamar Odom, was gifted a diamond pendant on Wednesday to honor and remember the Bryants.

#RIP

Travis Scott Get Him at Coachella Next Year!!! Fans Petitioning, Want Ye's Help This Year

UPDATE

7:05 AM PT -- Something is up ... the support behind the petition has dropped overnight from almost 70,000 signatures to less than 7,500. We've reached out to change.org to figure out why.

Travis Scott's fans are pushing hard for him to headline next year's Coachella, and even have a petition going to get him on stage this year ... and they're getting a big wave of support.

Following the tragedy at Astroworld, Travis has pulled out of multiple festivals, including Coachella, and while he's opting for a break ... his fans still want him to return to live performances.

The petition that's circulating online is pushing for a Coachella make-good -- they want organizers to commit to Travis being a headliner next year ... OR guarantee Kanye West brings him out as a guest during his set this year.

After 3 days, the petition has almost 70,000 signatures.

Keep in mind, there's another petition out there ... this one started immediately after 10 people died at Astroworld in Houston, and demanded Coachella ban Travis, who, at the time, was rumored to be headlining in the desert. Right now that one has 63,000 signatures and counting.

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NAVIGATING THROUGH THE CROWD
TMZ.com

According to the new petition, many of Trav's fans feel Coachella did him dirty -- it says, "After Coachella unfairly removed Travis Scott for Harry Styles, they need to do the right thing and rebook him immediately."

It also absolves Travis of any wrongdoing in Houston, saying ... "We all know Astroworld tragedy wasn't Travis's fault. Let him get back to performing on the biggest stages!"

As for the potential guest spot with Ye? We do know they have the Kardashian-Jenners in common, and Ye recently thanked Trav for helping him find Chicago's birthday party.

Right now it seems unlikely he'd be up for performing -- especially because he voluntarily bowed out -- but then again, the festival's not until April.

Originally Published -- 12:56 PM PT

Chuck Palahniuk China's 'Fight Club' Censorship ... Closer to My Book Ending Now!!!

NOT THE FIRST TIME
TMZ.com

You could say Chuck Palahniuk saw the Chinese government's censorship of "Fight Club" coming ... because the new ending is closer to the original one he wrote 25 years ago.

The famed author -- who penned the OG novel that became the 1999 movie -- joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" to give us his take on China removing the film's big explosive climax.

Chuck says it's funny to him that folks are up in arms over the censorship overseas because he's been dealing with his books being banned for a long time right here in the U.S. -- and he calls out Texas, in particular.

Ironically, Chuck told us China's version actually aligns more with the ending he wrote in the novel. Even more twisted ... he says overseas publishers have been editing his novel to make it more like the David Fincher movie.

So, yeah ... unfortunately, he's kinda used to people messing with his art.

As we reported, China released a new version of the movie, starring Brad Pitt and Ed Norton, that ends without explosions, killings and general chaos. Instead, it ends with an on-screen graphic that reads, in part, "The police rapidly figured out the whole plan and arrested all criminals, successfully preventing the bomb from exploding."

It's fair to say Chuck's laughing off the blatant censorship. As he tweeted, "Everyone gets a happy ending in China."

USA Olympic Skier Kai Owens Excited to Return to Birth Country For First Time ... Wants to Find Family

FOCUSED ON THE GAME
TMZSports.com

The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing will be a homecoming for 17-year-old skiing phenom Kai Owens ... and the Team USA superstar tells TMZ Sports she can't wait to return to her birth country for the very first time.

Owens' story is inspirational -- she was abandoned by her birth parents as an infant and was adopted by a Colorado couple when she was around 16 months old.

Now, the mogul skier is set to make the ultimate return and compete at the highest level during the 2022 Games ... and she tells us it's going to be an incredible experience.

"I'm just trying to explore everything I can and enjoy the moment," she told us at LAX this week.

Owens says she won't try to track down her biological parents during the trip ... but plans to make a return to China after the Games if the pandemic calms down.

"Right now, I'm mainly focused on competing, but my family and I have plans to return to China once COVID allows us to, to kind of go back to the province that I was born in and maybe do some birth parents research," Owens said.

"My primary goal for this trip is the Olympic games, but I'm definitely hoping to do a cultural experience later this year."

Owens is going to be a household name eventually -- she placed 6th in the World Championships in 2021 -- and she says she's fully focused on giving it 100% next month.

Erika Jayne Asked to Hand Over $750K Diamonds!! Tom Used Client's Coins

UPDATE

9:58 AM PT -- Erika just filed docs of her own saying she's totally innocent -- and had no idea where the money to buy the earrings came from 15 years ago. Out of good faith, Erika says she will give the earrings up to a third party to be held until a final order is made.

UPDATE

Erika's attorney, Evan C. Borges, tells TMZ, "Even based on the incomplete hearsay evidence filed with the motion, the trustee has no claim based on Erika innocently receiving a gift of earrings 15 years ago from her now-estranged and then-extraordinarily wealthy husband."

'RHOBH's Erika Jayne might have to surrender $750k worth o' bling -- a bankruptcy trustee is coming for her diamond earrings, claiming Erika's estranged hubby bought 'em with stolen client money.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ ... Tom Girardi bought the ultra-pricey and icy earrings back in 2007 from M&M Jewelers, using money that was in a client trust account at his old law firm Girardi & Keese.

We can't confirm these diamonds Erika was rocking back in 2019 are the ones in question, but they seem to fit the bill.

As for how they ended up in her ears ... the trustee in Girardi & Keese's bankruptcy case alleges Tom hid the transaction by describing the purpose of the check on G&K's Trust Account as a "cost" item paid to "M&M."

So, the trustee is now demanding Erika turn over the earrings to the bankruptcy estate.

As a matter of bankruptcy law, the trustee claims those high-priced diamonds are technically assets of the law firm's bankruptcy estate ... and the trustee can and should sell them to pay back creditors.

The judge hasn't ruled yet, but Erika might wanna box up those babies, just in case.

Originally Published -- 8:35 AM PT

Michael Rapaport Films Alleged Brazen Shoplifter ... 'I Can't Believe this S***!!!'

IN PLAIN SIGHT
UPDATE

1:16 PM PT -- A law enforcement source tells us the NYPD is officially investigating the case as petit larceny. Among the items stolen -- totaling about $500 -- include Trojan condoms, Nexus shampoo, Pantene shampoo, Dove soap, electric shaver, Neutrogena conditioner, Old Spice, Axe products, Elvive hair treatment, Conair products, Cremo cologne and toothpaste.

UPDATE

10:31 AM PT -- A rep for Rite Aid tells TMZ ... "The safety of our customers and employees is our top priority, and we are grateful that no one was harmed in this situation. We are in the process of conducting a full investigation and will work with local law enforcement to identify and pursue this offender."

UPDATE

"Like all retailers, we’ve seen a much higher level of brazen shoplifting and organized retail crime over the last year, and we are taking an active role in helping law enforcement pursue these offenders as well as working with other retailers and local leaders to push for stronger legislation to deter these types of crimes."

Michael Rapaport was almost speechless Tuesday ... he says he watched a "shopper" shoplift a bag full of items and breeze right past a security guard ... and the actor is just incredulous.

You don't see it in the video, but apparently, Michael saw the man putting items in a bag. It's unclear why Michael's eyes were trained on this guy before the video started, but it does appear the guy beelines it for the exit as a security guard stands there and does nothing.

"I can't believe I'm seeing this s*** ... this f***ing guy just filled his two bags up with everything in Rite Aid, right here on 80th and First Avenue is walking down the street like s***."

Rapaport follows the guy outside the store and continues ... "Looking me in my face like, 'What's good?' My man just went Christmas shopping in January. He had the condoms, the shampoo."

Michael put the video on his social media account and tagged NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who has been extremely vocal about crime in the City.

Apparently, the store didn't file a theft report, at least not yet.

We called the Rite Aid, but no one answered the phone.

There's been an epidemic of brazen store thefts around the country recently ... with smash-and-grabs from coast to coast, creating wars between progressive D.A.'s who aren't filing charges against the thieves and police. The L.A. County Sheriff is at war with the L.A. County D.A. for failing to prosecute some of these smash-and-grab robbers.

Originally Published -- 6:57 AM PT

Peter Robbins Voice of Charlie Brown Dead at 65 from Suicide

Peter Robbins -- the voice behind Charlie Brown -- has tragically died by taking his own life.

Peter's Agent, Dylan Novak, tells TMZ ... Peter checked himself into a mental hospital in California, shortly after Christmas. Novak says Peter was in a bad headspace, and the last time they spoke in Jan. Peter said ... "I really need your prayers."

We're told the hospital staff encouraged Peter to stay there for a few more weeks, but Peter refused ... instead, he discharged himself on Jan 18, 2022. He was found dead sometime after that.

Peter struggled with bipolar disorder. He spent some time in rehab, battling drug abuse and addiction ... and he also spent some time in prison for making threats to others.

Novak says he was very vocal about his own problems because he wanted to help others in similar circumstances ... it became his mission in life.

Robbins began voicing the Charlie Brown cartoon character, back in 1963 ... he also guest-starred in the 1968 sitcom "Blondie" and many other shows up until the '70s.

He was 65.

RIP

Supreme Court Justice Breyer Retires Under Pressure ... Lesson Learned from RBG

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is retiring after more than 2 decades on the bench -- the timing is certainly significant, and the battle over his replacement will be fascinating.

Justice Breyer was appointed to the Supreme Court way back in 1994 by President Bill Clinton, and there was mounting pressure from Democrats for him to step aside for some new blood.

From the outside, it certainly appears Breyer learned a lesson from Ruth Bader Ginsburg's situation -- with RBG not stepping down when a Democrat was in office as she grew older, ultimately leading to Donald Trump's hand-picked replacement ... Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

The timing of Breyer's retirement is interesting ... the midterm elections are looming and there's a possibility the Democrats could lose their slim majority in the Senate, which would make it nearly impossible for President Joe Biden's pick for a new Justice to get confirmed.

Breyer will remain on the bench until the Supreme Court's current term ends this summer.

Republicans have made clear their intentions to block any potential candidate put forward by President Biden, if the GOP wins back a Senate majority in the midterms.

Right now the Democrats hold the majority in the House and Senate, so look for President Biden to push through a replacement for Justice Breyer rather quickly.

Stay tuned ...

Rae Sremmurd Slim Jxmmi Arrested for Battery ... GF Denies DV Narrative

UPDATE

1:00 PM PT -- 1/27 -- A spokesperson for the State's Attorney tells us there was just another hearing where it was announced Slim will no longer need a GPS device, instead, his bond was upped to $20,000.

UPDATE

1:24 PM PT -- 1/26 -- Jxmmi's case was just heard in court, a rep for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office tells us the rapper's girlfriend recanted her story on the record. Jxmmi was released on a $2,500 bond with a GPS monitoring device.

UPDATE

11:30 AM PT -- Slim Jxmmi's GF, the alleged victim, says this whole thing is BS ... denying her partner ever laid a finger on her.

UPDATE

She writes, "Oh wow. This is cap. Dade County y'all are wrong for this. I told you guys he did not hit me. Every officer you guys had in my face are wrong for this. No hands were put on anybody, I stated it more than once. It was a loud argument and the police were called. You guys turn nothing into something. It's our sons first birthday tomorrow, what's wrong with y'all?"

One half of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd is behind bars, after allegedly attacking the mother of his child, knocking down a door and pulling her hair extensions out in the process.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Slim Jxmmi was arrested Tuesday morning in Miami for battery. Slim's girlfriend -- with whom he also shares a son -- told cops the rapper first got pissed after she had questioned him about a woman he was following on Twitter.

Cops say the GF told them Slim left their home with a friend shortly after the argument and returned a short time later smelling like alcohol. The alleged victim told cops when she attempted to move their sleeping child from his playpen to a bed, Slim pulled her hair so hard her extension was ripped from her scalp.

We're told Slim's GF told cops she tried to record his outrage with her phone -- which made him more pissed -- and he chased her around their home.

At one point, the alleged victim told cops she ran to a room and closed the door, but Slim kicked the door down, ripped the phone away, and threw it over a balcony to prevent her from posting the video on social media.

Cops say they recovered the phone, undamaged, on a nearby street when they were called to the scene.

We haven't seen much of Slim Jxmmi lately, however, he recently joined Swae Lee, the other half of Rae Sremmurd, at Rolling Loud in L.A.

We've reached out to a rep for Slim Jxmmi ... so far, no word back.

Originally Published --  1/25 10:40 AM PT

Lamar Odom Gifted Kobe & Gigi Bryant Chain On Anniversary Of Death

Lamar Odom will now have Kobe and Gigi Bryant with him everywhere he goes -- the ex-Lakers star was just gifted an incredible piece honoring the late NBA legend and his daughter on the second anniversary of their tragic helicopter accident.

TMZ Sports has learned ... LO -- who played alongside Kobe from 2004-2011 and remained close friends with the Hall of Famer in retirement -- received the special tribute to the Mamba and Mambacita from his manager, Tonita B.

The finished product is a diamond chain and pendant featuring Kobe kissing Gigi on the head ... which was based off a famous picture of the two sitting courtside at a Laker game in 2019.

We're told the chain -- designed by Scoobie Da Jeweler -- is made of 25 carats of VS diamonds ... and the whole finished product is worth around $17,000.

The back of the piece features a special quote from Kobe ... which reads, "Rest at the end, not in the middle."

We're told this all came to be when Tonita decided to do something unique for Lamar to commemorate their new Savvy Talent Management Group partnership ... and given his admiration for Bryant and his family, she chose a Mamba-related keepsake.

Odom has previously spoken about the impact Kobe left on his life after the fatal accident on Jan. 26, 2020 ... saying he not only helped him on the court, but was by his side during his darkest times.

Odom posted about his new gift on social media minutes ago ... saying, "To understand that Kobe meant the world to me and have this made as a constant reminder for me to keep going has me at loss for words. 💜"

RIP Mamba and Mambacita.

China Censors Ending of 'Fight Club' ... Cops Win in Their Version!!!

For viewers in China, there's a brand new ending to Brad Pitt's classic film "Fight Club" -- and shocker ... their version strikes a blow for the authorities, who come out on top.

We'd say spoiler alert, but the flick is nearly 23 years old ... and fans know the original ending is total chaos with bombs going off, buildings being destroyed and the narrator killing his imaginary alter-ego. But, viewers in China won't be exposed to any of that.

Instead, a message pops up that says, "through the clue provided by [alter ego] Tyler, the police rapidly figured out the whole plan and arrested all criminals, successfully preventing the bomb from exploding."

And here's a spoiler alert for China -- Tyler gets sent to a "lunatic asylum."

China's ending is much more peaceful... and lotsa folks aren't happy about their happy ending. Like many other social media users, Chuck Palahniuk -- who wrote the 1996 novel that became the movie -- sarcastically voiced his disapproval.

Even U.S. Senator Ted Cruz had something to say about the Chinese government's decision. That said, it's pretty normal for Chinese censors to make edits to American movies, but not so normal for them to so dramatically change climaxes.

First rule of China's fight club -- the government always wins!!!

RFK Jr. 'Deeply Sorry' for Anne Frank Comparison ... During Anti-Vax Rant

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is backpedaling big-time, and flat-out apologizing for drawing a parallel between the COVID vaccination measures and the Jewish Holocaust.

He'd been blasted for the remarks he made Sunday at an anti-vax rally in D.C. -- even his wife, Cheryl Hines, condemned him for invoking Anne Frank's plight -- and Tuesday he finally capitulated.

RFK Jr. said on Twitter, "I apologize for my reference to Anne Frank, especially to families that suffered the Holocaust horrors." He also said, "To the extent my remarks caused hurt, I am truly and deeply sorry."

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ILL COMPARISON
CNN

He claimed he was trying to use the terror of Nazi Germany as a parallel to what he views as "the perils from new technologies of control."

The son of the late Attorney General, and presidential candidate, RFK ... has been a vocal opponent of the COVID vaccines, but his Sunday rant crossed a line even for his wife.

Cheryl reacted by saying, "My husband's opinions are not a reflection of my own. While we love each other, we differ on many current issues."

Perhaps they finally had a heart-to-heart -- at least when it comes to him exploiting the Holocaust.

'Euphoria' Glamorizing Drug Use Among Real Kids ... So Says D.A.R.E.

HBO might think it’s revolutionary to show Zendaya snorting it up on camera, but one group is just saying no to TV drug use ... yep, you guessed it!

The good folks at D.A.R.E (yes, it’s still around, even in 2022) are speaking out on what they say is the glamorization of substance use -- and in many cases, abuse -- that’s depicted throughout the hit series "Euphoria," especially right now as Season 2 gets underway.

A rep for D.A.R.E tells TMZ ... "Rather than further each parent’s desire to keep their children safe from the potentially horrific consequences of drug abuse and other high-risk behavior, HBO’s television drama, Euphoria, chooses to misguidedly glorify and erroneously depict high school student drug use, addiction, anonymous sex, violence, and other destructive behaviors as common and widespread in today’s world."

Just to give you one example of how dark this show is, Zendaya’s character, Rue, actually almost OD's during an episode this season ... and, ironically, takes even more drugs to prevent it. And yes, it’s shown in graphic detail ... as is much of the sex and other taboo topics tackled in the series.

The EPs have said their approach to all this is “honest,” but D.A.R.E. says otherwise ... adding, “It is unfortunate that HBO, social media, television program reviewers, and paid advertising have chosen to refer to the show as ‘groundbreaking,’ rather than recognizing the potential negative consequences on school-age children who today face unparalleled risks and mental health challenges.”

Now, D.A.R.E. isn’t just here to criticize ... they say they actually wanna collaborate to help send the right message to real-life kids, "We would welcome the opportunity for our team, including members of our high school-aged Youth Advocacy Board, to meet with individuals at HBO who are involved with producing Euphoria to present our concerns directly."

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

If this attitude comes off as antiquated, well there’s a reason for that ... D.A.R.E. was super popular in the ‘80s and ‘90s, especially with Nancy Reagan behind the “Just Say No” campaign. But, while that slogan might be dated, D.A.R.E. says everything they stand for in talking about the dangers of drugs is not, insisting "Euphoria" is doing more bad than good.

And, big picture ... they say there's a better way to have a convo about this heavy subject matter.

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