Celebrity Death

George H.W. Bush's will has been filed in probate court and it lists two of his sons -- former President George W. Bush and former Governor Jeb Bush -- as executors.

The will, filed in Texas Tuesday -- obtained by TMZ -- used to list Barbara as the executor, but when she died on April 17, it was turned over to George and Jeb. The two brothers are also in charge of Barbara's estate.

As for H.W.'s financial situation, the docs don't get specific -- everything was put into a trust -- but the amount is listed as more than $50,000 ... a number that surely downplays 41's actual worth.

H.W. died in Texas Friday ... his health was declining in recent years and was in and out of the hospital several times. He was admitted to ICU at the Houston Methodist Hospital back in January 2017 due to pneumonia. Barbara was also admitted with her own health issues.

The Dynamite Kid -- one half of the famed British Bulldogs tag team duo -- has died, his family announced Wednesday.

The wrestler -- real name Tommy Billington -- had been battling health issues for years though his exact cause of death has not been revealed.

He turned 60 years old on Wednesday ... the same day he passed away.

Dynamite made his WWF debut back in 1984 and famously wrestled stars like Bret "The Hitman" Hart and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart.

His biggest moment was winning the tag team championship with British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith at Wrestlemania II back in 1986.

The duo defeated The Dream Team of Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake and Greg Valentine on the same night Hulk Hogan defeated King Kong Bundy in a steel cage match.

Dynamite Kid's nephew, Davey Boy Smith Jr. -- a former pro wrestler himself -- issued a statement on his passing Wednesday morning,

"It deeply saddens me to announce the passing of Tom Billington the 'Dynamite Kid.' I was really happy and glad I got to see Dynamite one last time last June in the UK."

"Dynamite was certainly an inspiration to myself and many others and really revolutionized professional Wrestling as we now [sic] it today. He flew high, and gave it his all every match. Thanks for everything and sad to have lost another family member. Rest In Peace Dyno."

Former 'America's Next Top Model' contestant Jael Strauss has died just two months after announcing she'd been diagnosed with cancer.

Sources close to the model -- who competed on season 8 of the reality show -- tell us she died in hospice Tuesday around 11 AM after taking a turn for the worse Monday night. We're told she'd been unconscious for a few days, and her family recently stopped allowing visitors.

Jael decided to stop chemotherapy around Halloween and went into hospice on Thanksgiving, saying on Facebook, "First night in hospice. So many things I never knew about life. Or death. So many things."

The model went public with her cancer diagnosis in October earlier this year with a heartbreaking Facebook post, revealing she'd been diagnosed with "incurable" stage 4 breast cancer.

At the time, Jael wrote to her followers ... "I was gonna write some long thing but some of you guys deserve to know, On October 2nd I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer."

She continued ... "It has aggressively spread throughout my body and is incurable. With treatment it may prolong my life longer than the 'few months' doctors said I could make it. I don't want to die. I need another one of those miracles that I got back in 2013."

Jael appeared on Dr. Phil in 2012 to tackle her addiction issues, and celebrated 5 years of sobriety this past August on IG. Her caption read in part ... "I know a few things to be true: Miracles are real, Recovery is possible for everyone no matter how far gone you think you are, We are never too broken to be put back together, Service work feels better than the greatest high, Sobriety makes you weirder not normal and I'd be dead if it weren't for all the love and forgiveness I've been showered with by my friends and family."

A GoFundMe was started for Jael about a month ago that's raised more than $18k of a $30k goal to fund her treatment. Jael's family and friends tell TMZ in a statement ... "The one blessing was that we were able to show her how loved she was before she passed. She brought so much light to people."

She was 34. RIP

Troy Gentry died as a result of his helicopter pilot's error ... according to investigators.

The National Transportation Safety Board concluded the pilot cut the engine too soon as he attempted to make an emergency landing back in September 2017.

As we reported, Troy -- one half of the country music group Montgomery Gentry -- and the pilot were killed when they crashed in a field in Medford, NJ.

According to the NTSB's report, the pilot's mistake led to an uncontrolled descent and instead of landing at nearby Flying W Airport, the chopper crashed in the woods. The report included dialogue between the pilot and experts on the ground assisting him with the landing.

The pilot had intended to pull off a maneuver he said he had done before -- cutting the engine and attempting to glide to the ground. However, experts had advised a shallow, run-on landing.

Troy was 50.

Michael Avenatti didn't skip a beat as he paid President Trump a compliment. Yes, you read that correctly, but we admit it was a pretty backhanded one.

We got Avenatti hitting up Craig's Monday night in WeHo and wanted to get his 2 cents about Trump's plan to attend Wednesday's memorial service for former Prez George H.W. Bush. As you know ... Trump also paid his respects Monday in the Capitol Rotunda.

Trump is not expected to speak at Wednesday's service, but will meet privately with the Bush family. Still, the fact he's decided to honor President Bush has Avenatti -- perhaps the most harsh Trump critic -- giving 45 props. We're pretty sure it's the first time ever.

Also, it's official now ... we won't see them go head-to-head in 2020, because Avenatti said he's decided NOT to run after his family asked him to stand down.

Prepare to have your heart melted ... yes, that's Sully, the still loyal companion to President George H.W. Bush, remaining by the late President's side after a last-minute change of plans kept the pup in D.C.

Sully showed up Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol, sitting in front of Bush's casket at the Capitol Rotunda, along with people who benefited from the ADA passage under our 41st President.

Seems Sully couldn't bear to leave Bush just yet ... as we reported, the service dog was supposed to be returned to America's VetDogs and head up to New York to prepare for his next assignment after flying with Bush's casket from Houston to D.C.

But, Sully shocked everyone -- in a good way -- when he pawed his way into the Capitol, where Bush is lying in state.

Just look at that super cute tail wag. Yes, Sully is still a very good boy.

Michael J. Snyder -- known for being the first franchisee of the Red Robin restaurant chain, who later became CEO -- has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head ... TMZ has learned.

Yakima County Chief Deputy Coroner Marshall Slight tells us ... Snyder committed suicide with a high-powered gun Sunday in Washington state. We're told he shot himself on a bench in the front yard of his home.

Slight says police responded to a 911 call and found Snyder's body ... no suicide note was left behind.

Michael and his brother became the first Red Robin franchisees in 1979 and went on to open 14 of the burger restaurants in Washington, Colorado and Idaho. Snyder merged his franchise company with the parent company in 2000 ... and took over as CEO and President.

He was ousted in 2005, though, after an internal investigation discovered he had misused funds and charter planes. He reportedly remained the largest individual shareholder of the company.

Diddy is doing his best to keep it together in the aftermath of Kim Porter's sudden death while taking on the role of dad and mom for their kids ... and he tells us the encouragement from his fans is fueling his new grind.

We got Diddy out Monday afternoon in Los Angeles after he took his kids to school and hiked Runyon ... and the music mogul said he's just taking things day by day. Diddy tells us he's doing his best to stay positive and take care of his fam.

Diddy's phone battery died on his hike and he forgot where he parked, but ya can't blame him. He's got a lot on his mind, and rightfully so. It's been less than 3 weeks since Kim died at her home.

But, it wasn't all bad for Diddy. Our photog hooked him up with a ride and a charge, and he eventually found his car.

People helping people.

9:58 AM PT -- We've learned Sully is still by the President's side, flying with the casket from Houston to D.C.

A Bush spokesperson tells TMZ ... when Air Force One lands in Washington, Sully will be returned to America's VetDogs and he will miss all of the memorial services to prepare for his next assignment.

We're told Sully will spend the holiday season in New York with America's VetDogs before moving to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Facility Dog Program. Sully will work alongside fellow service dogs SGT Dillon and SGT Truman, "To assist with physical and occupational therapy to wounded soldiers and active duty personnel during their journey to recovery."

A rep for Walter Reed tells us ... Sully won't be assigned to an individual veteran on site, and he will be a "roving" dog in the program, providing support, comfort and helping to reduce stress for wounded soldiers and their visitors. Sully will have a handler who will take him home each night.

We're told the Bush family is welcome to visit Sully whenever they want, and the facility would be "honored" if the President's family came to visit.

President George H.W. Bush's loyal companion remained by his side Sunday night -- his service dog, Sully, keeping watch until the very end ... and beyond.

In one of the more moving images since the 41st President's passing Friday night ... Sully was pictured laying in front of Bush's casket in Houston, ahead of its Monday flight to Washington, D.C. The former Prez will lie in state at the Capitol until Wednesday, and Sully will be heading back east as well.

The service dog was assigned to former Prez Bush back in June, and Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath says Sully -- trained by the nonprofit group America's VetDogs -- will be reassigned now.

43rd Prez George W. Bush said, "As much as our family is going to miss this dog, we're comforted to know he'll bring the same joy to his new home, [military hospital] Walter Reed,"

Jeb Bush also saluted Sully ...

Good boy, Sully. Good boy.

Congressman Steve Scalise remembers George H.W. Bush as a great leader who continued being so long after his presidency ... even helping out his state in a time of crisis.

We got he GOP House Whip at the Reagan National Airport Saturday and asked him about the passing of the former Prez, who died Friday night in Houston. Steve calls Bush a "warm and gentle man" who was a uniter when the country was going through a tough time.

Scalise also rattles off a list of accomplishments in Bush's life -- including raising relief money after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Representative's home state of Louisiana -- showing the great amount of respect he had for 41.

Finally, Steve tells us it's good for the nation that President Trump will attend Bush's funeral, despite their strained relationship. You may recall ... Trump didn't attend Barbara Bush's funeral in April, saying he didn't want to cause disruptions.

George reportedly wanted POTUS to attend his, though ... and Trump had nothing but kind words for him after his passing.

George Herbert Walker Bush -- whose career in politics spanned more than three decades and culminated as the 41st President of the United States -- has died.

His office says the former Prez passed away Friday at 10:10 PM in Houston. His death comes 7 months after the passing of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush.

George Sr. had been in declining health in recent years and was in and out of the hospital several times. He was admitted to the ICU at the Houston Methodist Hospital back in January 2017 due to pneumonia. Barbara was also admitted with her own health issues.

They both recovered and took part in the ceremonial coin toss at Super Bowl 51 together just a few weeks later.

The former President notably sent a letter to then President-elect Donald Trump in January 2017 saying he couldn't make the inauguration due to doctor's orders ... joking it would put him "six feet under" to sit outside in the cold.

Along with being President, Bush also served as the 11th director of the CIA and 43rd Vice President of the U.S. under President Ronald Reagan. Bush was inaugurated as President on January 20, 1989.

Foreign policy -- in particular the Gulf War, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolving of the Soviet Union -- was the centerpiece of Bush's presidency. Among his other accomplishments -- instituting a ban on importing semi-automatic rifles and signing the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and 1991 Civil Rights Act.

Bush's zinger during his election campaign, "Read my lips: no new taxes," became an unforgettable moment ... something he reneged on during his presidency.

George's father, Prescott, was a U.S. Senator. His oldest son, George W., was the 43rd U.S. President and his son, Jeb, was Governor of Florida.

George H. W. is survived by his 5 children, 17 grandchildren and 8 great grandkids. He also had a daughter, Robin, who died at age 3 from leukemia.

George was 94.

RIP

Your eyes are NOT deceiving you ... an artist has magnificently brought this Mac Miller photo to life with the stroke of a pen.

The artist is 20-year-old Danielle Franks -- aka Moe -- and she hails from Cornwall, England. Moe tells TMZ ... the drawing took her just over a month to complete using Cintiq 13HD on her iPad. It's basically pressure-sensitive stylus pen.

The drawing is based on a photo snapped by Todd Cole for the August issue of The Fader. Moe tells us one of her followers on Twitter asked her to draw that photo. She did ... and it's become a viral sensation.

Since she tweeted the drawing on Tuesday, it's gotten nearly HALF A MILLION likes and more than 100k retweets. And, get this ... Moe tells us she came THIS close to shuttering her website because she struggled to sell her art. But business has been booming since she tweeted the Mac drawing. So good, in fact, all proceeds from the drawing will go to the late rapper's foundation, The Mac Miller Circles Fund.

You can get your hands on a drawing -- printed on silk paper -- for around $40. Business has been so good ... celebs are now lining up to work with her, including Willow Smith.

Casey Kasem's daughter says his widow is throwing out bogus claims to try to discredit her family ... and thwart their efforts to get justice for his 2014 death.

Julie Kasem tells TMZ ... Jean Kasem's recent allegations -- that members of the Church of Scientology and Casey's kids conspired to kill the radio legend for his money -- are blatant lies she's using to take the heat off herself.

Julie admits her sister, Kerri, is a Scientologist, but says it doesn't matter ... because Scientology has absolutely nothing to do with the case. She then doubles down on her belief that Jean's elder abuse contributed to her dad's death.

She also insists no money she or her siblings have received from their father went to Scientology, as Jean has also claimed.

If you don't know ... police in Washington opened an investigation into Kasem's death last month at the request of Jean. As we reported ... they already filed a wrongful death suit against Jean in 2015.

Casey's children claim Jean removed him from an assisted living facility in California and took him on a 7-day journey all over the Western U.S. ... but when they returned, he had a massive bedsore that was deeply infected. The suit alleges Casey died as the result of a staph infection, UTI, and sepsis ... all brought on by Jean's neglect.

Jean's adamantly denied doing anything to harm her husband before he died. We got her outside the courthouse Wednesday, and she doubled down on her claims against the kids, and her ongoing legal battle for the estate. She's asking to be the executor of Casey's will ... but no decision has been made on that yet.

There's no joy at the Krusty Krab -- Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of "SpongeBob SquarePants," died Monday after battling ALS.

Stephen first revealed his ALS diagnosis in 2017. He's survived by his wife, Karen, and his son, Clay.

Nickelodeon called him "a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family."

Steve created 'SpongeBob' in the late '90s, but he took a circuitous route to his TV and movie success. Hillenburg started out teaching marine biology in Orange County ... but eventually combined that knowledge of ocean creatures with his artistic talent.

He broke into TV as a director and writer on the Nickelodeon show, "Rocko's Modern Life" -- and then eventually started creating his 'SpongeBob' ... which debuted in 1999.

In addition to the TV series, Steve wrote both hit 'SpongeBob' feature films. The first one grossed more than $140 million.

Variety first reported Hillenburg's death. He was 57.

Enjoy a Krabby Patty today in his name.

Stan Lee, the creator of much of the Marvel Universe, died from heart and respiratory failure ... TMZ has learned.

We obtained Stan's death certificate, and it lists heart failure and respiratory failure as the cause of death. It also says he suffered aspiration pneumonia -- which is when you inhale food, stomach acid or saliva into your lungs. According to the document, 95-year-old Lee died Monday, November 12 at 9:17 AM at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

TMZ broke the story ... an ambulance rushed to Lee's Hollywood Hills home earlier this month, and he was brought to Cedars-Sinai.

The certificate says he was cremated and his ashes returned to his daughter. His occupation was listed as a writer in the publishing business.

Stan was smiling and cheerful Saturday, November 10 during what would be his final sit-down with his protege, comic book writer Roy Thomas.

Stan had been battling several illnesses over the past year, including vision issues and a bout of pneumonia.

Stan launched Marvel in 1961 with the Fantastic Four and the comic book giant went on to spawn Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men, Black Panther and The Avengers.

Brandon Moore, the man who created the viral "What Are Those" meme, died Sunday and his wife tell TMZ it's a complete mystery what caused it.

Brandon's wife, Noonie, tells us his heart stopped while he was sleeping in their Northern California home. We're told his death was completely unexpected -- he didn't have any previously known health conditions.

Our law enforcement sources say an autopsy was performed and there are no signs of foul play ... or any obvious cause of death. Brandon's family and authorities are now waiting on a toxicology report.

The internet comedian, aka Young Busco, rose to fame in 2015 when he mocked a police officer's shoes as a joke. While his friend was being arrested, Brandon mocked the cop's clunky boots, saying ... "What are those?"

Brandon uploaded the clip and it quickly went viral and became a popular internet meme. The catchphrase appeared in "Black Panther" and was jokingly asked to Michael Jordan during a Q and A session at a basketball camp.

Brandon, a father of 9, was just 31.