Celebrity Death

The Navy sailor who passionately kissed a woman to celebrate the end of World War II -- captured by a photographer in what's easily one of the most iconic images in American history -- has died.

The sailor, George Mendonsa, died Sunday at age 95 after falling and suffering a seizure at an assisted living facility in Middletown, Rhode Island. George's daughter told the Providence Journal her father was living at the facility with his wife of more than 70 years.

The woman George kissed was Greta Zimmer Friedman ... a dental assistant. The pic, snapped by Alfred Eisenstaedt, was taken in Times Square on August 14, 1945, after Japan surrendered to the U.S.

As for what compelled George to kiss a perfect stranger ... George told CBS News, "The excitement of the war bein' over, plus I had a few drinks. So when I saw the nurse I grabbed her and kissed her."

Greta -- who died in 2016 at the age of 92 -- said, "I did not see him approaching, and before I know it I was in this tight grip." George said the kiss didn't last long.

9th Wonder says XXXTentacion absolutely deserved to be part of the Grammys' In Memoriam segment, because the guy left a musical legacy that's bigger than life.

The legendary hip-hop producer made no bones about it Monday at LAX, where he told us Grammy producers missed an opportunity to include someone who gave a lot to the industry and changed lives ... adding that every big artist deserves recognition in death.

9th -- who's worked with Jay-Z, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and MANY other giants -- says X's impact on the culture is undeniable ... citing even his own son as proof the controversial MC was making waves before his tragic murder.

He suggests X's exclusion might have something to do with older Recording Academy members not knowing X -- but adds there were plenty of far less famous people honored on screen.

Our photog raised the issue that's reportedly the real reason X didn't make the cut -- his many legal issues and allegations of domestic violence.

Angela Simmons' ex-fiance went down in a hail of bullets when he was murdered ... TMZ has learned.

We knew Sutton Tennyson was shot multiple times back in November, but now his autopsy reveals the exact number of fatal shots was 13 ... to his chest, stomach, legs and arms. The Fulton County Medical Examiner says 3 of the shots did an "enormous amount of damage" to his heart ... piercing several chambers of the organ.

Other shots were lodged in Sutton's lungs, and pierced his stomach and spleen. Nine of the shots penetrated his body, and 4 only cut or grazed him.

As we reported, Sutton -- the father of Angela's 2-year-old son -- was in his Atlanta driveway when he got into an argument with Michael Williams, who cops say opened fire, then fled in a car. Witnesses told police the men were arguing about money.

Chris Cornell won a Grammy Sunday nearly two years after his death ... and his children accepted it on his behalf with a heartfelt message about their father.

Cornell's two kids -- his son, Christopher, and his daughter, Toni -- took to the stage at Staples Center after their dad had been awarded the Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his song, "When Bad Does Good" ... his third Grammy win ever.

Christopher spoke first, reading from a statement that read in part ... "I never thought we'd be standing here without my dad. I'm sure he would be proud and honored. He was known for many things. He was a rock icon, the godfather of grunge and the creator of a movement."

Christopher added ... "While he touched the hearts of millions, most importantly he is known for to us is for being the greatest father in our ear."

His sister finished up the speech, saying ... "His voice was his vision and his music was his peace," adding ... "This is for you daddy and we love you so much." Chris' family walked the red carpet together before the show, and put on a united front for the cameras.

TMZ broke the story ... Chris was found dead in Detroit in 2017. A coroner ruled his death as a suicide by hanging.

He was 52.

Brandon Moore -- the man who created the viral "what are those" meme -- died after a night of ingesting a bunch of drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy ... TMZ has learned.

According to the Contra Costa County Coroner's report ... the exact cause of death was polypharmacy -- meaning he died as a result of ingesting multiple drugs. The coroner says Moore's blood tested positive for cocaine, morphine, codeine, methamphetamines and ecstasy.

What's more ... the report says Moore's wife, Noonie, told authorities he drank and possibly ingested cocaine the night before he was found dead. According to the report, there's no evidence to suggest Moore ingested the drugs with the intent to harm himself ... and lists the death as an accidental overdose.

As we reported ... Brandon's wife told us his heart stopped while he was sleeping in their Northern California home ... and now we know why.

The internet comedian, known as Young Busco, made a huge splash in 2015 after mocking a police officer's shoes as a joke. You'll recall, while his friend was being arrested, Brandon joked about the cop's clunky boots, saying, "What are those?"

The meme caught fire online ... and the catchphrase even appeared in "Black Panther." Michael Jordan was also jokingly asked, "What are those?" during a Q&A session at a basketball camp.

Brandon, who was a father of 9, was 31.

Five-time Oscar nominee Albert Finney has died.

A family spokesman said the actor died after a short, undisclosed illness. Finney had kidney cancer back in 2011, but it's unclear if it was related to his death.

Finney was at the forefront of a British invasion of sorts ... a wave of British actors who hit the big screen in the '60s in the U.S.

The actor received Oscar noms -- Best Supporting Actor for "Erin Brockovich," and Best Actor in "Under the Volcano," "The Dresser," "Murder on the Orient Express," and the titular role in "Tom Jones." He didn't win, but 5 nominations are pretty impressive. He did nab a Golden Globe and an Emmy for the 2002 miniseries, "The Gathering Storm."

Finney started his career onstage doing "Shakespeare," and his first movie -- "The Entertainer" -- hit big in 1960. That same year, he rose to fame playing Arthur in "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning."

He played the iconic role, Ebenezer Scrooge, in the 1970s film "Scrooge" ... for which he also won a Golden Globe.

Finney's most recent acting role was 2012's "Skyfall." He also had notable roles in the 'Bourne' franchise and "Big Fish."

His family says he passed away peacefully with friends and family by his side.

Finney was married 3 times and had 1 son.

Frank Robinson -- a Baltimore Orioles superstar and MLB's first-ever black manager -- died at 83 on Wednesday ... Major League Baseball confirmed.

Robinson was one of the greatest hitters in the game's history ... playing 21 seasons and batting .294 with 2,943 hits and 586 home runs.

The Hall of Famer's resume is legendary -- he was a 2-time MVP, a 2-time World Series winner, the MLB's Rookie of the Year in 1956 ... AND a triple-crown winner in 1966.

Before his playing days ended ... he was named player-manager of the Indians in 1975 -- making him the MLB's first-ever black manager.

He went on to manage the Giants, Orioles, Expos and Nationals -- piling up over 1,000 career wins.

“We are deeply saddened by this loss of our friend, colleague and legend, who worked in our game for more than 60 years," MLB commish Rob Manfred said in a statement.

Former boxing champ Rocky Lockridge -- who later had the most famous appearance on the show "Intervention" -- has passed away at age 60, his family confirms.

Family members tell us Rocky died Thursday morning from complications from a stroke he suffered a while back.

Lockridge was a stud fighter back in the '80s -- racking up multiple titles with victories over guys like Roger Mayweather.

But, he later became addicted to crack cocaine ... and his family brought him on the A&E show, "Intervention," in an effort to get him cleaned up.

During one famous scene, family members were pouring out their hearts to Rocky and he belted out a cry that went viral. It later became an Internet meme known as "best cry ever."

Rocky's son Ricky Lockridge confirmed his father's passing and said, "It is with great pain but a whole heart that I tell you family and friends that my father Ricky Lockridge aka Rocky Lockridge has passed away."

"All he wanted was to be in the comfort of his home with friends/ family. God has called him to walk through the gates of heaven."

Lockridge had reportedly been in hospital care for the past few weeks.

The pilot who crashed a plane into a Southern California home on Super Bowl Sunday -- killing himself and 4 people on the ground -- had a famous friend and client ... Dennis Hof.

75-year-old Antonio Pastini was best buds with the late brothel owner for 23 years ... according to our sources. We're told Tony frequently flew Dennis and his girlfriend in the same plane he was flying when it crashed into a Yorba Linda home where a Super Bowl party was being held.

As you can see, the tail number on the plane on which Dennis often flew ... matches the number on the wrecked fuselage on the site of the deadly crash.

Dennis and Tony's relationship extended beyond the skies ... we're told Tony owned the Carson City restaurant Kim Lee Sushi, where Dennis loved to hang out with the ladies from the Bunny Ranch.

During Dennis' 72nd birthday bash last October, days before his death, he shouted out Tony while making a speech.

Tony didn't only fly Dennis, we're told he flew Bunny Ranch girls for free if they paid for his fuel.

Colin Kroll, the CEO and co-founder of HQ Trivia, died from an overdose of multiple drugs ... including fentanyl ... TMZ has learned.

The NYC Chief Medical Examiner tells TMZ ... Colin died from acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. They've ruled his death accidental.

We broke the story ... the HQ honcho died back in December, when cops found his body lying face down in his bedroom with drug paraphernalia nearby.

As we reported ... Kroll's GF told investigators she was with him the Friday night before he was found dead in his Manhattan apartment, and they were both doing drugs. His GF has not been charged in connection with his death.

Colin co-founded the popular mobile trivia game in 2017 and was elevated to CEO in 2018. Kroll was also the co-founder of Vine and was General Manager between 2013 and 2014. He previously worked for Twitter, Jetsetter and Yahoo.

Kroll was 34.

Fentanyl also played a role in the deaths of Tom Petty, Prince, Mac Miller and Lil Peep.

11:00 AM PT-- A source close to Kristoff tells us the actor had checked himself into UCLA Medical Center in January for depression issues ... and had just been released within the last few days.

We're told his depression was linked, in part, to his son, Julian's suicide years ago.

8:50 AM PT -- Kristoff's fiancée, model Kseniya Mikhaleva, reacted to his death, saying ... "How did it happen??? How??? Why did you leave so early???? and left me all alone ..."

Kristoff and Kseniya just got engaged 5 months ago.

TMZ also got the dispatch audio from the fire department, which responded to a call for an "unconscious individual" at Kristoff's home. You'll hear officials use the term "natural causes" -- that only means there was no foul play.

Kristoff St. John, star of the long-running soap opera 'Young and the Restless,' was found dead Sunday ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us one of Kristoff's friends went to check on him at the actor's home in San Fernando Valley, and found his body. Police and paramedics were alerted and responded to the house. We're told Kristoff was pronounced dead on the scene.

We're told there was no sign of foul play, however one source says alcohol might have played a role.

Kristoff has played Neil Winters on 'Y&R' since 1991 -- a role that earned him 9 Daytime Emmy Award nominations. He also won 10 NAACP Image Awards.

Kristoff has a tragic and troubled history with suicide. He and his ex-wife, boxer Mia St. John, lost their son, Julian, when he took his own life in 2014, while getting treatment at a mental health facility. Mia and Kristoff sued the facility for negligence. The suit was eventually settled.

In 2017, around the anniversary of Julian's suicide, Kristoff threatened to kill himself with a gun. Cops placed him under a 72-hour hold for psychiatric evaluation.

Mia reacted to Kristoff's death with an emotional post on social media (which she has since deleted), and it's clear she is connecting his death to Julian's. She wrote, "THAT HOSPITAL KILLED OUR SON @TheArtofJulian THEN MY HUSBAND @kristoffstjohn1. THATS WHAT HAPPENED! THEY KILLED MY FAMILY"

After their son's death, Kristoff and Mia founded the El Saber es Poder (Knowledge is Power) Foundation to battle mental illness.

Kristoff was 52.

RIP

Neal James -- known as "Banjo Man" on the popular Animal Planet series, "Call of the Wildman" -- has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

The Washington County Coroner's Office tells TMZ, James had been battling heart issues for years now. He died of natural causes at his Kentucky home.

James became a sensation on the reality show, due largely in part to his friendship with the show's star ... "The Turtleman" Ernie Brown Jr. He endeared himself to fans with his twangy voice, easy-going attitude, long beard and, of course, his banjo.

It wasn't long ago when James suffered a heart attack ... prompting him to take to YouTube and say he's "seen the other side" and it's beautiful, but he was in no hurry to get there. James thanked his friends, family and the medical community for helping him continue living.

Grammy-winning R&B singer and songwriter James Ingram has died from a battle with a form of brain cancer ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the singer tell us James had been fighting the cancer for an extended period. Actress and choreographer Debbie Allen reacted to the news Tuesday, saying ... "I have lost my dearest friend."

Ingram recorded several chart-toppers in the '80s, including his #1 duet with Patti Austin, "Baby Come to Me" ... as well as "Somewhere Out There" with Linda Ronstadt, "100 Ways" and "Just Once."

He won a Grammy for "Yah Mo B There" -- his duet with Michael McDonald -- and another for "100 Ways." He was nominated for 12 other times for Grammys.

James worked closely Quincy Jones over the years ... recording and writing hits. For instance, he and Q co-wrote Michael Jackson's smash hit, "P.Y.T." from the "Thriller" album.

James was one of the featured soloists for the all-star choir that gathered to record the smash charity song, "We Are the World" in 1985 -- singing parts between Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner and Ray Charles.

He started his professional singing career in the 70s when he joined the group, Revelation Funk, and even played for Ray Charles' band at one point.

During a Quincy tribute concert in L.A. last September, James was noticeably absent when Patti performed their hit song. It was not clear at the time why he soldiered on without him, doing her best impression of her dear friend while singing his parts.

James was 66.

RIP

Kim Porter, the mother of 3 of Diddy's children, died from a form of pneumonia ... TMZ has learned.

The L.A. County Coroner's office released the cause of death as lobar pneumonia -- which is an inflammation of an entire lobe of the lungs.

According to the report, Kim had gotten a massage from her goddaughter the day before she was found dead, and watched movies with family members until going to bed at 11:30 PM. The report lists that as the last known time she was alive.

Her goddaughter saw her at 8:30 AM the next day, but thought Kim was still sleeping ... so she left for work. The report says housemates checked on Kim again at 11:30 AM. When they found her unresponsive, they called 911.

There were unopened or partially opened bottles of water, Pedialyte and sports drinks on Kim's nightstand. There were also antibiotics -- a Z-pack -- a bowl of tomato soup and some Tylenol.

TMZ broke the story, Kim was found dead in her Toluca Lake home in November. Sources close to Kim told us the model was battling the flu and complained she wasn't feeling well the day before she was pronounced dead at her home.

Two days before her death, Kim had called her doctor saying she didn't feel well and had no appetite. The report says a nurse made a house call to give her a saline solution drip infused with vitamins. The next day, Kim complained to doctor she had a streak of blood in her phlegm.

The toxicology report says there were no narcotic drugs or alcohol in her system.

Kim was laid to rest in her home state of Georgia with an elaborate and moving funeral, which Diddy planned. He also delivered a very emotional eulogy during the service.

Kim was 47.

"Top Chef" contestant Fatima Ali has died after a battle with bone cancer.

Ali -- who was very public with her diagnosis and fight -- sent a message out to fans a couple weeks ago saying, "I know it’s been ages since I posted and most may have figured out why. I’m sick and unfortunately I’m getting sicker. Right now all I need are prayers; prayers that are simple."

Her friend and former contestant from "Top Chef" announced Friday that she had passed away.

It was back in October when Fatima announced her cancer had returned ... and doctors said she had a year left to live. Fatima appeared on "Ellen" a short time later where the talk show host gave her $50,000 to live out her dream of visiting the world's best restaurants.

Fatima appeared on season 15 of the "Top Chef" reality competition, and was voted a fan favorite.

Ali was 29 years old.

XXXTentacion's mother is asking the State of Florida to return his vehicle -- the one in which he was shot to death.

The Assistant State Attorney filed docs, obtained by TMZ, on behalf of the rapper's mom, Cleopatra Bernard ... requesting his 2017 Black BMW i8 be returned to her. Prosecutors say law enforcement has completed processing and photographing the car, so there's no need for them to continue holding it.

According to the docs ... X's family wants the car back ASAP to help avoid further damage to it from sitting in storage. If a judge signs off, the defense team for Dedrick Williams -- one of the rapper's alleged murderers -- will have until the end of February to complete their inspection of the vehicle.

After that, the car will be returned to Cleopatra.

We broke the story ... XXXTentacion was gunned down last June in Miami at the age of 20. There have been 4 arrests in connection to his murder, including Williams.