Breaking News

Leonard Nimoy, who famously played Mr. Spock, died at home Friday morning in Bel-Air... after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The "Star Trek" star announced last year that he was battling the disease and attributed it to years and years of smoking. He had given up the habit 30 years ago.

TMZ broke the story ... Nimoy checked into UCLA Medical Center last week for intense chest pains -- but was eventually released.

Nimoy started playing Mr. Spock when the TV show debuted in 1966 ... and is the only actor to appear in every episode of that original series. He continued in the Spock role through most of the movies -- including the most recent reboot in 2013.

Aside from acting ... Nimoy also wrote books of poetry, 2 autobiographies, and even recorded albums ... mostly cover songs.

Nimoy tweeted for the last time on Feb. 22, saying ... "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"

He was 83.

The Trekkie In Chief, President Obama released a statement saying ... "Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy ... I loved Spock."

Nimoy's longtime co-star William Shatner tells us, "I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, this talent, and his capacity to love."

The WWE says it has proof that CM Punk NEVER had a baseball-sized lump on his back at the Royal Rumble -- and insist they have the video that shows he's lying through his singlet.

Punk first brought up the alleged lump on a podcast back in November -- when he claimed he was misdiagnosed by a WWE ringside doctor ... and it eventually led to a life-threatening staph infection.

The doctor filed a $1 million defamation lawsuit against Punk -- and now, the WWE is making it clear they have the doc's back.

"WWE continues to have the utmost confidence in the ability and expertise of our world-class team of physicians, including Dr. Amann," the organization said in a statement.

This is where it gets aggressive ...

WWE says it completed a full investigation into Punk's allegations and made the following conclusions:

-- "CM Punk did not discuss this alleged condition with WWE’s team of physicians and trainers, nor did he discuss it with anyone in our Talent Relations department. WWE has no medical records documenting this alleged condition.
-- The first time WWE was made aware of this alleged condition was when we received a letter from CM Punk’s attorney on August 22, 2014 after WWE terminated his contract.
-- "There is clear video evidence from the 2014 Royal Rumble, which allows all to decide whether there is any appearance of a baseball-sized growth on CM Punk’s back."

Check out the clip ... you seein' a lump?

Two former WWE superstars have been hit with a huge lawsuit from the WWE ringside doctor -- who claims the duo defamed him on a podcast ... when they trashed him over the way he treated a growth on CM Punk's back.

The man behind the lawsuit is Dr. Chris Amann -- who claims Punk and Colt Cabana defamed him on Colt's "Art of Wrestling" podcast back in November ... when Punk spoke out for the first time about his departure from WWE.

During the podcast, Punk repeatedly tore into Amann -- essentially saying he was a crappy doctor.

Amann says the two also claimed he misdiagnosed a growth on Punk's back -- a growth that Punk says later turned into a full blown staph infection.

But Amann says it's all BS -- claiming the statements are false and defamatory ... and now he wants the wrestlers to pony up more than $1 million in damages to his reputation ... plus punitive damages.

Colt and Punk had no comment about the lawsuit.

A member of Nicki Minaj's team was stabbed to death Tuesday night in Philadelphia ... so says Nicki herself.

Nicki says 2 members of her crew were stabbed ... one lived. The rapper says the guys were in Philly for 2 days rehearsing for her upcoming tour with her bf Meek Mill ... who's from Philly.

The person who died was De'Von Pickett ... a stage hand for Nicki. Eric Parker survived the incident, but is in critical condition in a hospital.

Nicki has retweeted a link to a news story about a stabbing that occurred at the Che Bar & Grill in Philly where an employee who was recently fired got in a fight that spilled outside the establishment where the stabbings occurred. The suspect fled.

Pickett posted a series of positive tweets on Tuesday, not long before his death.

Lesley Gore -- who exploded on the music scene with "It's My Party" -- has died.

Gore, who followed her 1963 hit with a string of huge songs, including "Judy's Turn to Cry," "You Don't Own Me," "Maybe I Know," "She's a Fool" and "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows," also composed songs for the movie "Fame" in 1980. Gore was nominated for an Academy Award for one of the songs, "Out Here on My Own."

Quincy Jones discovered Gore when she was a teen and guided her to spectacular success.

Gore used one of her songs, "You Don't Own Me," as an anthem for reproductive rights during the 2012 Presidential election.

Gore was openly gay and leaves behind a partner, Lois Sasson.

We're told she died in a NYC hospital following a battle with lung cancer.

Lance Armstrong wants everyone to know ... his girlfriend did NOT kick his ass to the curb after he let her take the rap for an alleged hit-and-run incident back in December ... and he's got the pic to prove it.

In fact, the disgraced cyclist just blasted out a pic showing himself with Anna Hansen on a hike in Aspen, CO ... the very city where the car crash shenanigans went down in the first place.

As we previously reported, Anna told police she LIED about being behind the wheel when their SUV smashed into 2 parked cars after a museum party ... to protect Lance, who was actually driving that night.

You'd think there'd be some bad blood between the two based on the fact Lance essentially let Anna take the fall -- but it appears the couple has moved on.

Sorry ladies ... he's still taken.

Tiger Woods says he's taking an indefinite leave of absence from golf ... explaining that he sucks -- and he can't stand it anymore.

Woods just issued a statement saying, "Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me. My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf.

"Next week I will practice at Medalist and at home getting ready for the rest of the year. I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game."

He adds, "I do, however, expect to be playing again very soon."

Tiger's decision comes after a series of dreadful performances -- including a spectacular meltdown at the Phoenix Open last week ... where he had the worst round of his career.

College basketball analyst Greg Anthony -- a former NBA player -- has banged out a plea deal in his prostitution case ... which will keep his (alleged) hooker-lovin' ass out of the pokey.

The 47-year-old was arrested for soliciting a prostitute at a D.C. hotel back on January 16th -- but Wednesday in court, officials agreed to drop the charge if he does 32 hours of community service.

Anthony will also have to keep his nose clean for the next 4 months.

After the arrest, Anthony issued an apology ... saying the whole thing was a "lapse of judgment."

Brian Williams was just suspended from NBC for 6 months for lying about being shot at in a helicopter.

NBC released a harsh statement, saying, "Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate."

The suspension is immediate and without pay. Lester Holt will continue substituting for Williams.

In making the decision to suspend and not fire Williams, NBC News honcho Deborah Turness said they considered the good work Williams did for 22 years.

Jon Stewart is leaving "The Daily Show" after nearly 20 years as a correspondent and anchor.

Comedy Central just announced Stewart would wrap up his duties on their hugely successful show later in 2015. There's been a lot of speculation about whether he would continue on the show when his contract ended this year.

Stewart talked about his decision in November on "The Howard Stern Show."

Stewart took over as host in 1999 ... and under his lead "The Daily Show" won the Emmy for Best Variety Series every year from 2002 to 2012. All told it's won 18 Emmys.

Comedy Central did not give a specific date for Stewart's last day on the air.

Former college football superstar Maurice Clarett is finally off probation stemming from robbery and weapons convictions in 2006 ... and says he's finally ready to start the "next chapter" of his life.

Clarett -- who at one point was widely considered the best NCAA football player in the country -- robbed two people at gunpoint in '06 ... and later that year got busted with 4 guns and a hatchet in his car.

The ex-Ohio State Buckeyes running back was sentenced to more than 7 years in prison -- but was released in 2010 ... and given 5 more years of probation.

But Wednesday, the 31-year-old appeared in an Ohio courtroom where the judge officially ended his probation two months ahead of schedule.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the judge praised Clarett during the hearing as one of the "truly, truly wonderful success stories I've had as a judge."

Lance Armstrong has disgraced himself all over again ... so say police who claim the cyclist hit two parked cars after partying in Aspen ... and then let his GF take the blame.

According to the Aspen PD, Armstrong's SUV was identified in the December 29th incidents -- and upon questioning, Lance's GF Anna Hansen initially told cops she was the driver that night.

She also told the investigator that she and Lance had been driving home from an Aspen Museum Party at the St. Regis Aspen Resort ... and didn't want Lance to drive because he had been drinking.

According to the police report, Anna told cops she lost control of the SUV and struck two parked cars ... then returned to the scene on foot moments later and told the owner of the vehicles she'd pay for the damage.

But the investigator didn't buy Anna's story ... and contacted the valet company that worked the party that night.

The valet told cops ... he specifically remembered helping Anna into the PASSENGER seat after the party and Lance WAS THE DRIVER.

**Cue Perry Mason music**

When the investigator confronted Anna with the new info, she "became upset" ... and said that they had stopped at a market on the way home and traded seats, so she drove.

The investigator still wasn't buyin' it.

Get this ... two days later, Anna changed her story AGAIN ... and finally admitted Lance was driving that night. But now she insists he was NOT drinking at the time.

According to cops, Anna said ... "He was not intoxicated, and that was um, you know, I’m sorry I lied to you that morning but I was trying to make [it] sound like, well, I was driving because that was, just, I don’t know … I was just trying to make something up at that time."

As for Lance, he was hit with two citations. He's due in court on March 17th.

Good news for LeGarrette Blount ... prosecutors have dropped the pot charge against the New England Patriots running back after he completed his community service days before the deadline.

As we previously reported, Blount -- along with Steelers running back LeVeon Bell -- were arrested in Pittsburgh back in August after cops say they had weed inside their car.

Bell was arrested for DUI -- but struck a plea deal in which prosecutors agreed to drop the charge if he completed 15 months probation without incident.

Blount struck a similar deal on his misdemeanor possession charge -- complete 50 hours of community service by Feb. 4th and the charge goes away.

Now, Blount's attorney claims he's done just that -- completing his comm. service at the Urban Achievers group in Boston ... which works with underprivileged children.

George Zimmerman will not be prosecuted for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend ... now that she's totally changed her story and refusing to cooperate with authorities.

As we previously reported ... Zimmerman was arrested in Florida earlier this month after the woman told police he had thrown a wine bottle at her during an argument in his house.

Prosecutors announced Friday they were dropping the case against Zimmerman because the now ex-gf is denying there was a bottle thrown -- and says she was never in fear for her life. She also doesn't want to proceed with the case ... according to the State Attorney.

Jagged Edge singer Kyle Norman probably won't be meeting his fiancée at the altar, because he's been accused of beating her ... and attempting to make her swallow her own engagement ring.

The singer was arrested early Thursday morning in Atlanta after officers responded to a fight call between the couple ... and found her with a golf ball-sized welt on her head.

According to cops, the woman claims Norman threatened to kill her ... then he allegedly began punching and choking her with a scarf -- and then tried to force the ring down her throat.

We're told Norman went peacefully when cops arrived. He claimed the whole fight started because he was upset about his dad having cancer. She says they were arguing about drinking.

Norman was charged with aggravated assault, and is still behind bars.

Cleveland Browns superstar Josh Gordon admits he chugged 4 drinks on a private jet to Vegas after the team's final loss this season ... but insists he's NOT an alcoholic.

Gordon just spilled his guts in an open letter to several high profile media members including Charles Barkley, Cris Carter and Stephen A. Smith -- blasting them for taking him to task over his reported substance abuse.

In the letter, posted on The Cauldron, Gordon is adamant he's not an alcoholic or a pothead ... but admits he's been making bad decisions over the past few years.

Gordon says he hasn't smoked weed in years -- and when he tested positive for the green stuff during an NFL drug test, it was due to "inadvertently inhaling second-hand marijuana smoke last offseason."

"Truth is, I have not smoked marijuana since before I was drafted by the Browns in 2012  -- and there are years worth of drug tests to prove it."

As for testing positive for alcohol earlier this month after an NFL-imposed ban from booze (following his DWI) ... Gordon says he imbibed with teammates on a private jet to Vegas on January 2.

"Just days after our season ended earlier than we all had hoped  -- and yes, my actions during the prior offseason definitely contributed to our failure to make the playoffs; it killed me seeing our guys fight so hard when I wasn’t out there with them — I boarded a private flight to Las Vegas with several teammates. During the flight, I had two beers and two drinks."

Gordon says, "It was the first time I had consumed so much as a drop of alcohol since July 4, 2014, the day of the DWI."

Gordon admits "I failed myself" -- but concludes with a message to his celebrity critics: