Celebrity Death

U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has died.

Stevens died Tuesday night ... the result of a stroke he suffered Monday. 

Stevens was the 3rd longest-serving Justice in the history of the United States Supreme Court. He served from 1975 to 2010.

Stevens was appointed by President Gerald Ford. His successor -- Justice Elena Kagan, who was appointed by President Obama.

Stevens was in the liberal minority during most of his tenure, and famously wrote a number of memorable dissenting opinions.

One of Stevens' biggest -- the 2002 Bush vs. Gore case, in which the Supreme Court effectively put Bush in office. Stevens wrote a dissenting opinion, saying the majority's ruling undermined the people's faith in government and the courts.  

Another big decision ... his dissent in the Citizens United case, which opened up campaign finance donations from wealthy individuals and corporations.

Stevens was a gun control advocate, once writing a dissenting opinion in which challenged the majority's decision to a major gun control law. In 2018, years after Stevens retired, he publicly challenged the Court's reading of the 2nd Amendment in the wake of the Stoneman Douglas High School massacre, saying it was a "relic of the 18th Century."

Stevens served as a Lt. Commander in the Navy in World War II and was awarded a Bronze Star and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Before joining SCOTUS, President Nixon appointed Stevens in 1970 to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Justice Stevens was one of only 2 Supreme Court justices to be divorced -- the other was William O. Douglas.

Stevens died at a Fort Lauderdale hospital with his daughters by his side.

Stevens is survived by his 2 daughters, 9 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. 

Disney star Cameron Boyce's death certificate reveals the actor was cremated ... and his ashes were returned to his father.

Cameron's death certificate -- obtained by TMZ -- says he died at 2:35 PM on July 6. The official cause of death has been deferred until the coroner completes their investigation. Boyce was cremated and his ashes were given to his dad, Victor. 

The certificate says Cameron has worked in the entertainment industry for 12 years. Forest Lawn in Los Angeles is listed as the funeral establishment. 

As we reported ... Cameron suffered a fatal seizure last weekend and died in his sleep. Our sources say his roommate found him unresponsive, and when paramedics arrived they could not revive him. Cameron, who was just 20 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

TMZ broke the story ... Cameron had been dealing with seizures, triggered by epilepsy, for a long time. His condition, however, didn't prevent him from acting in movies and TV ... and achieving great success in both.

After his death, Cameron's family said, "The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights, but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him."

The autopsy on Pernell Whitaker has been completed -- with officials saying the boxer died from "multiple blunt force injuries" in a car accident that has been labelled an "accident."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the 55-year-old boxing legend was hit by a car while walking in Virginia Beach on Sunday night around 10 PM. Emergency responders raced to the scene and treated Whitaker but couldn't save him. 

The driver of the car was cooperative with police -- and we're told officials do NOT believe alcohol, drugs or speed was a factor in the incident. 

As one official put it, "It appears to just be a horrible accident."

Now, the Virginia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is releasing the topline results of the autopsy -- telling us the obvious, "Multiple blunt force injuries."

No word on funeral arrangement at this point -- but we're told several fans have created a makeshift memorial at the spot where Whitaker died, leaving flowers and other items to honor the boxer. 

Boxing legend Pernell Whitaker was killed Sunday night after he was hit by a car in Virginia Beach, TMZ Sports has learned. He was only 55. 

We're told officials received a call around 10:04 PM in response to an accident at the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road.  

When cops arrived, they located the man who had been hit by a vehicle who was in really bad shape -- and our sources tell us that man was Pernell Whitaker. 

Emergency medical personnel at the scene tried to resuscitate Whitaker -- even performing CPR on him -- but unfortunately, Whitaker succumbed to his injuries and died. 

Cops are investigating. Unclear if the driver of the car was arrested but he did stay on the scene to speak with police. It's NOT a hit and run situation. 

By the way, we're told the area where Pernell was hit is NOT a popular nightlife area -- in other words, it's not like he was out partying. 

Whitaker (who's from Virginia) was a BEAST in the ring ... winning world titles at 4 different weights -- lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight. 

Sweet Pea was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006 -- and is considered by many to be one of the greatest fighters of ALL TIME. 

He fought everyone from Oscar De La Hoya to Julio Cesar Chavez -- and even though he lost to Oscar and Julio was a draw ... many people believe he was ROBBED in both decisions because he clearly won the fights. 

His pro career began in 1984 and spanned all the way through 2001, with an amazing 40-4-1 record including 17 knockouts.

He also won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in L.A. 

From 1993 to 1997 he was considered the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Ring Magazine named him the Fight of the Year in 1989. 

Whitaker is survived by his 5 children. RIP

Ex-NFL star Michael Vick, who's also from Virginia, tweeted about Whitaker's passing -- saying, 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker was our hometown legend and the greatest of all time. My prayers are with his family and loved ones."

Magic Johnson added ... "Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker was in the class of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard as one of the most entertaining fighters in my lifetime. I’m praying for his family."

Cameron Boyce's shocking death triggered a flood of donations to a charity about which he was passionate ... with some help from Adam Sandler.

The Disney star, who was just 20 years old when he died this last week, worked closely with a charity called Thirst Project, which builds wells bringing clean drinking water to villages in need. 

Thirst Project's co-founder and CEO, Seth Maxwell, tells TMZ ... more than 350 people have donated money to the initiative in Cameron's honor, totaling $15,000.

Maxwell says the money is pouring in from online donations through the charity's website, and a large chunk is coming from a Facebook fundraiser started by Adam Sandler. 

Other celebs are raising awareness and driving donations as well ... actors Skai Jackson and Nolan Gould, some of Cameron's industry friends, also went on social media encouraging fans to donate to Thirst Project in Cameron's name. 

Maxwell tells us Thirst Project has been overwhelmed by DMs and emails from people asking how they can get involved ... and he says there are lots of ways people can carry on Cameron's legacy.

Disney canceled a "Descendants 3" red carpet event to honor Cameron ... opting instead to donate money in his name to Thirst Project. Those funds are separate from the $15,000 in individual donations.

As we first reported ... Cameron, who died in his sleep from a seizure, suffered from epilepsy. 

Roy Halladay -- nearly two years after his tragic death -- is STILL having an impact on the Phillies' locker room, so says stud pitcher Zach Eflin.

"We're always thinking about him," Eflin tells TMZ Sports ... "There's a lot of things I take away from him."

Halladay died after the plane he was piloting in the Gulf of Mexico crashed into the water on November 7, 2017.

It was a horrific moment for baseball -- losing such a legend at just 34 years old -- but Eflin says his legacy is still carrying on strong in Philadelphia.

In fact, Eflin tells us he's still to this day using tips Halladay taught him during their offseason together ... and says, "He's awesome, man. He was an amazing person."

Beth Chapman is about to get a final farewell in the Rocky Mountains -- her Colorado memorial service is just getting underway ... and TMZ's got you covered. 

The reality TV star is being memorialized Saturday afternoon at the Heritage Christian Center in Aurora, CO -- where her husband, Dog the Bounty Hunter, as well as friends, family and loved ones are gathering to say goodbye for the last time in the wake of Beth's tragic death last month. 

In fact, a line was already forming out the door before the ceremony got started at 2 PM CT. Looks like people were willing to wait it out in the hot sun. 

As we first reported ... Beth's family are expecting a massive turnout and have been coordinating with local hotels and law enforcement to make sure the ceremony goes off without a hitch. 

This will be Beth's second memorial -- Dog put together a public gathering in Hawaii shortly after her death -- and this time it got organized and coordinated by 'Facts of Life' star Kim Fields, who was a fellow worshiper at Beth's church in Aurora. 

We're told Kim felt God calling her to take on the planning for Beth's service, even though the two women never actually met. 

Beth's memorial will feature some video messages from a bunch of her celeb friends -- including Wynona Judd, who unfortunately isn't going to make it in person. 

No doubt, there will likely be some words imparted from those in the room as well -- not to mention a speech by Dog himself. 

We'll be posting updates as they happen ... stay tuned. And if you wanna watch the memorial live, check it out here. 

Wynonna Judd is super sad she can't be there to perform at her late friend Beth Chapman's final send-off ... but she's still making her presence felt from afar. 

Beth's memorial service is going down this afternoon in Colorado ... and she was a huge fan of Wynonna's music and the 2 got close, so the family asked the country music icon to come and sing. 

Unfortunately, Wynonna's on tour and can't be there to support a dear friend ... so she's giving Beth's family permission to feature her music during the service, including Beth's favorite Wynonna song, "Rescue Me."

Wynonna posted a tribute to Beth right after her death. 

Beth's memorial service, which is being planned by reality star Kim Fields, will feature video messages from some of Beth's celeb friends ... and Wynonna is part of it.

Nipsey Hussle's baby mama is fighting his family that wants to keep custody of their daughter away from her, saying they're denying her a basic right -- contact with her flesh and blood.

Tanisha Foster says in legal docs, obtained by TMZ, she and Nipsey shared responsibility for parenting 10-year-old Emani.

She seems to be rebutting the family's contention she's not capable of caring for the child, saying they are ignoring the fact Nipsey provided for her ... setting her up in an apartment and providing for her livelihood. She's insinuating she's been cut off and that's not what Nipsey would want.

She also says, she's not the only person involved in the case with a "problem past," but she says she's choosing not to "sling mud." 

She says she can't pay rent, she's been cut off financially and is in desperate shape. Foster notes the lifestyle she and Emani were used to before Nipsey's death won't be the same ... but she is willing to make it work to the best of her ability. She's asking the judge to at least give her visitation rights.

Foster says, "If everyone was truly interested in doing what is best for Emani, they would treat me as her mother and not in the manner that they have.

Nipsey's family was awarded temporary custody of Emani, claiming Tanisha is an unfit mother.

Disney has decided to honor Cameron Boyce by canceling its "Descendants 3" red carpet premiere event ... and instead will donate to a charity close to him in his honor. 

Disney tells us the company will make a donation in Cameron's name to the Thirst Project ... a nonprofit that helps deliver clean water to communities around the world. Cameron helped raise more than $30k for that organization ... one that was close to his heart.  

Disney said, "We are proud to be part of Cameron Boyce's legacy by showcasing his talents on screen but we are cancelling the red carpet premiere event for 'Descendants 3' scheduled for July 22 and instead, The Walt Disney Company will make a donation to the Thirst Project, a philanthropic organization to which Cameron was deeply committed. Thank you for understanding."

Cameron appeared in every 'Descendants' film. He played Carlos, Cruella De Ville's son. He began his Disney career in 2011 on the series "Jessie" and also appeared in "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" and the Disney XD series "Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything."

The company said, with permission from the Boyce family, the Disney Channel will dedicate the telecast of "Descendants 3" in Cameron's memory.

As we first reported ... Cameron, who died in his sleep, suffered from epilepsy. He was only 20 years old.

Beth Chapman's upcoming memorial service -- where thousands are expected -- is being run like a major Hollywood production, which is why showbiz vet Kim Fields is running point ... TMZ has learned.

Kim is coordinating security and overseeing production details, right down to the flower arrangement, as director of visual and social media at Beth's church ... according to sources close to Beth's family. How the 'Facts of Life' and 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star ended up in charge is pretty serendipitous. 

Kim relocated to Aurora, CO earlier this year and joined Beth's place of worship ... Heritage Christian Center. We're told Kim's pastor in Georgia asked her to help him with his new Colorado church and she happily obliged.

While Beth and Kim never met in person, we're told Kim took on this massive project because she felt like God was calling her to help people in mourning. 

Kim's many decades on Hollywood productions, and her obvious celeb experience, made her a natural fit to help Dog Chapman and his family pull off the high profile event. As we first reported, the family has been working with local police to make sure the venue is extremely safe and secure, in anticipation of a massive crowd. 

Some of the security protocols are interesting ... we're told all weapons will be banned at the service even though Colorado is an open carry state. All bags will be searched, and we're told the heightened security is partly related to the community still being sensitive to Aurora's 2012 movie theater shooting, and of course the nearby Columbine massacre.

Beth's Colorado service is her final sendoff ... following the heartwarming ceremony in Hawaii.  

The service Kim's planning is part of Beth's final wishes, and we're told the church will be heavily decorated with hundreds of stargazer lilies -- Beth's favorite flower.

Rip Torn, Emmy-winning actor and comedian, is dead.

Rip, perhaps best known for his role as Artie on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show," died Tuesday. No cause of death has been released yet. 

He won an Emmy for his 'Larry Sanders' role, and was nominated 6 more times for it. He was also an Oscar nominee in 1984 for "Cross Creek." 

Rip made his film debut in the 1956 film "Baby Doll." From there, he began a prolific and decades-long career on stage and screen.

Torn's work on "The Larry Sanders Show" garnered him a whole new generation of fans, who would go on to enjoy his character work as Zed in the first two 'Men in Black' films. He also had memorable roles on "Will & Grace" and "30 Rock."

His full name was Elmore Rual Torn Jr. ... but he started going by the nickname Rip when he was a kid. Fun fact ... his cousin is iconic actress Sissy Spacek.

He is survived by his wife Amy, his 6 kids, his sister Patricia, and his 4 grandchildren.

Rip was 88. 

Michelle Obama shared a heartfelt tribute to late Disney star Cameron Boyce ... remembering him as a talented young man with an incredible heart.

The former First Lady shared a picture of her with Cameron on Twitter during one of his visits to the White House. She wrote, "I was lucky enough to hare a few moments with Cameron Boyce -- on set, at the White House, and on a service project -- enough time to recognize that not only did he have incredible talent, but also an incredible heart."

Michelle added, "Sending out a lot of love and hugs to his family, friends, and his many, many fans."

Even at a young age, Boyce was fueled by his philanthropic spirit. Back in March, he received the Pioneering Spirit Award at a gala for the Thirst Project ... which helps deliver clean water to communities around the world. He reportedly helped raise more than $30k for the org.

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is honoring Tyler Skaggs during the All-Star Game on Tuesday ... sporting the late pitcher's #45 jersey when he takes the field.

Skaggs tragically died last week in his team hotel room in Texas. Details surrounding his death are still unclear ... but the news shook many teams, players and managers throughout the MLB.

Trout -- who usually wears #27 -- and injured Angels infielder Tommy La Stella will don Skaggs' digits on their backs during Tuesday night's ASG as a tribute to their teammate.

Trout shared his condolences last week ... saying "Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel right now."

"Remembering him as a great teammate, friend, and person who will forever remain in our hearts... we love you, 45."