Celebrity Death

Doris Day, one of the biggest movie stars in the '50s and '60s who became a fierce proponent of animal rights, is dead.

The Doris Day Animal Foundation confirmed her death. She died at her home in Carmel Valley, CA, surrounded by close friends. The Foundation said Day "had been in excellent physical health for her age, until recently contracting a serious case of pneumonia."

Doris became a star in 1956, when she appeared alongside Jimmy Stewart in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much." She then hit even bigger the next year, starring in "The Pajama Game."

Day became tied at the hip onscreen, beginning in 1959, with Rock Hudson ... the 2 starred in "Pillow Talk," for which she received an Academy Award nom for Best Actress.

You can't understate the star power of the quintessential girl next door ... she was voted Top Box Office Female Star for 4 straight years in the early '60s.

As big as her movie career was ... she was equally famous for her singing. She went to the top of the charts with her 1956 song, "Que Sera Sera." In 2008, Doris was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Day briefly dated Ronald Reagan back in the '50s. She was married 4 times.

Her influence was enduring. She was referenced in The Beatles' song "Dig It," Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" and Wham!'s "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go."

Doris got the Presidential Medal of Freedom award in 2004 from President George Bush, but her fear of flying prevented her from attending the White House ceremony.

Day's son, Terry Melcher, became a famous and successful music producer, working with The Beach Boys for many years. He notoriously put a song written by Charles Manson on a Beach Boys' single, but when Melcher distanced himself from Manson the future murderer targeted him. In fact, it's widely believed the Tate murders were really directed at Melcher and his then-girlfriend, Candice Bergen, who had been renting the Tate home until just weeks before the murder.

She loved animals ... at one time she had 30 dogs living on her property.

Doris was one of the founders of Actors and Others for Animals in 1971 and in the late '70s she started The Doris Day Foundation. She has 2 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- one for movies, and one for her music.

She was 97.

John Singleton will get one last official sendoff from his fans, friends and family ... and it's going down where he graduated film school.

TMZ's learned the late famed director will have a big memorial celebration at USC on May 21 from 11-2 PM. We're told details are still being worked out regarding which celebs may speak or perform ... but several have already RSVP'd they'll be there.

As we reported ... a private funeral and Celebration of Life was held last week for John's closest friends and loved ones -- like Ludacris, Ice Cube, Tyrese, Maxine Waters, Ving Rhames and Jim Brown -- but the USC event will be much larger.

We're told it's not going to be a total free-for-all for the public ... it won't be super small like the funeral, but a few thousand invites will go out.

The memorial will showcase Singleton's past work and pay homage to his life and career.

Singleton died on April 28 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. after being taken off life support following a massive stroke on April 17. The "Boyz n the Hood" director had been in a coma in ICU since then.

He was 51.

Elsa Patton -- the mother of 'Real Housewives of Miami' star Marysol Patton -- has died.

Patton passed away over Mother's Day weekend surrounded by loved ones after battling a "long illness," according to a statement put out by her family. It's unclear what illness she was afflicted with -- her family didn't elaborate beyond that.

They did, however, go on to thank the countless fans and friends who've asked about her condition as of late. The Patton family says private funeral services will take place in Miami.

"Mama" Elsa was a recurring star on the hit Bravo series when it ran from 2011 to 2013, having constant laugh out loud moments that made her a beloved character. Her one-liners and hilarious zingers were popular enough to get Elsa her own web series spinoff, "Havana Elsa" ... which covered her endeavors to start her own coffee chain.

Elsa is survived by her two children, Marysol and Thomas Anthony Jones, her daughter-in-law and her grandson. Elsa's husband, Donald, died in 2018.

She was 84.

Former WCW wrestler Silver King, who also starred in the 2006 comedy "Nacho Libre" with Jack Black, died Saturday night in the ring ... and a kick may have triggered the coronary.

Silver King was playing his tried-and-true role of villain in London at the Roundhouse when he suffered a heart attack, collapsing and dying. Authorities say he died at the venue.

In the video, you see him get knocked down 3 times, kind of writhing on the ground look somewhat dazed. It doesn't really look odd -- just doing what wrestlers do when they choreograph matches. But, then he takes a kick to the chest, and that drops him to the ground. His face is planted into the mat and he never gets up.

It looks like Silver King was supposed to win the match, because the ref didn't count him out, holding on the second count. His opponent turned Silver King over, making it appear he's pinning him to end the match, but Silver King is unresponsive. The ref ends the match, but Silver King doesn't move.

The ref takes off Silver King's mask, and it's apparent something is terribly wrong.

The 51-year-old Mexican wrestler, whose real name is Cesar Barron, was part of the Lucha Libre event. He played the bad guy character, Ramses, in "Nacho Libre."

London Metro Cops say they're treating the death as "non-suspicious."

The WWE said in a statement, "WWE extends its deepest condolences to Silver King's family, friends and fans."

The fight that got him the most attention was back in '98, during a WCW Cruiserweight Championship when he lost to Juventud Guerrera.

Jack Black posted a Spanish tribute, translated ... "Go with God, brother."

He was 51.

Peggy Lipton, a giant TV star who also had a singing career, a super famous husband and a famous daughter is dead.

Lipton lost her battle to cancer and died over the weekend.

Lipton's career began in modeling when she was just a teen, but before her teens ended she started to hit it big in acting. She appeared on "Bewitched'' and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" when she was only 19, and then ... she became part of a cultural phenomenon -- "The Mod Squad," which aired between '68 and '71.

'Mod Squad' was a huge hit, but she had reservations, saying, "I didn't realize how violent 'Mod Squad' was, adding, "When it was over, I was so happy I couldn't wait."

She transitioned into singing and had a successful career there too.

Lipton tied the knot with Quincy Jones and produced 2 daughters. The marriage lasted from 1974 - 1989.

After getting divorced, she scored another cultural hit, playing Double R Diner owner Norma Jennings on "Twin Peaks." She also appeared in the 2017 reboot.

Lipton has many other credits, including "A Dog's Purpose," and "Angie Tribeca."

One of her daughters, "Parks and Recreation" star Rashida Jones, said, "We feel so lucky for every moment we spent with her."

Peggy was 72.

Legendary boxing judge and HBO's longtime unofficial scorer Harold Lederman has died after battling with cancer.

Lederman passed away Saturday at a hospice care center in New York ... according to his daughter, Julie, and confirmed by HBO. Boxing promoter and former HBO exec Lou DiBella says Harold had fighting cancer for a while -- it's unclear which type.

A fixture of professional boxing, Lederman got his start judging matches back in 1967, but stopped in 1999 -- when he judged his final bout alongside his daughter. He covered more than 100 world title fights, including some legendary ones like Muhammad Ali-Ken Norton, Evander Holyfield-Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Marvin Hagler-Mustafa Hamsho and lots and lots of others.

When he became part of the HBO family in '86, he quickly became known for breaking down his unofficial score cards ... offering viewers an insight into how a judge picks apart a bout.

HBO Sports' executive VP, Peter Nelson, issued a statement on Harold's passing, saying ... "Harold Lederman had a lifelong love affair with the sport of boxing. Over the past 50 years he was universally respected and celebrated by the many people who make the sport what it is. Harold was happiest when seated ringside, studying the action and scoring the fight."

Harold was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016 after storied career. He's survived by his wife, and his two daughters.

'Power Rangers' star Pua Magasiva, who played the Red Ranger, is dead.

Magasiva died early Saturday morning in New Zealand. Police called it a "sudden death" but neither they nor his spokesperson would be specific.

He was found unresponsive in a building in the central business district in the city of Wellington.

Magasiva appeared on "Power Rangers Ninja Storm" and played Red Wind Ranger, Shane Clarke. It was a spinoff of the original series that aired in 2003. He also appeared in a popular New Zealand medical drama series, "Shortland Street." He also appeared in "Outrageous Fortune."

The actor was more recently a radio show host but left the job last month after getting a DUI.

His brother Robbie, also an actor, flew to Wellington and is grieving with his wife and 7-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. He married a year ago.

12:32 PM PT -- Darden just joined us on "TMZ Live" where he further explained his reason to back off of the case. He also said that while he's got a lot of haters ... his supporters really show out to help him as well. Darden hopes the same attention that people put into intimidating him off of the case will be used to stop violence in the streets.

Nipsey Hussle's alleged murderer is going to need a new lawyer -- Christopher Darden is quitting the case ... and it sounds like a wave of death threats to him and his family were just too much.

Darden says he's filed a motion to withdraw as Eric Holder's defense attorney. Holder happens to have a hearing scheduled for Friday in L.A. Superior Court, and Darden says it's the last time he will appear in court on the case.

Darden, who famously prosecuted O.J. Simpson in his double murder trial, says he's received death threats since taking Holder's case -- and the flood of hatred reminded him of the O.J. case. As he put it, "Just as they were in 1995-Cowards never change. These days these cowards don’t send letters instead they sit anonymously behind keyboards threatening a man’s mother and children."

Darden hinted he might reveal more in the future about exactly why he's bailing on Holder -- aka "Shitty Cuz" -- but made it clear to his haters that he won't forget ... "To those who issued those threats to my children please pay close attention so there is no misunderstanding. Later. F**K YOU!"

Truth is, Darden's been mercilessly berated ever since agreeing to defend the man accused of killing someone as beloved as Nipsey. One threatening tweet said, "Remember it was written in the book of life that the children shalt suffer from what the parents do."

But, Darden wants to make the point that under the Constitution, EVERYONE deserves a defense in court. He says, "After centuries of a history of black men hung from trees without trial, or after the thousands of cases of black men tried, convicted and executed without counsel ... I cannot understand why in 2019 some people would deny a black man his 6th Amendment right to counsel of his choice."

Nipsey Hussle's brother wants to take control over the late rapper's estate ... and he's asking the court to be put in charge of about $2 million worth of assets.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Nipsey's brother, Blacc Sam, says he needs to take over Nip's affairs so he can make good on tons of business opportunities that keep flowing in.

In the docs, Blacc Sam says Nipsey died without a will ... and the docs list property worth $2,035,000. It's possible that's not all the money Nipsey saved away. As we first told you, Nipsey set up multiple trust funds for his kids and family.

Blacc Sam claims his brother's sudden death whipped up a media frenzy, and it's bringing loads of time-sensitive business opportunities because of Nipsey's life story and rap career ... so he wants to be the estate's administrator STAT.

TMZ broke the story ... Nipsey was gunned down March 31 outside his Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles.

Jim Fowler -- the famous zoologist who made tons of appearances alongside Johnny Carson on the 'Tonight Show' and made a cameo on "Seinfeld" -- has died.

The longtime co-host of "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" died Wednesday at his home in Norwalk, Connecticut ... according to his family. The cause of death is unclear.

Fowler worked at a raptor sanctuary in Florida before landing his show 'Wild Kingdom' in 1963 ... co-hosting with fellow zoologist Marlin Perkins before going solo from 1985 to 1988. The show was later revived in 2002 and it aired until 2011.

Fowler, of course, appeared in over 100 episodes alongside Johnny Carson and also served as a wildlife correspondent for 'Today.' Fowler and Carson were tight ... to the point both families all went on a vacation to Africa after the 'Tonight' host retired.

Fowler was huge in the bird world ... becoming the first man to successfully trap a harpy eagle and bring it back alive in the U.S.

"Seinfeld" fans will remember him for his appearance on season 9 of the hit series ... "The Merv Griffin Show" episode. Kramer invited Fowler for his animals segment of the show. Fowler brings a hawk which hilariously attacked George Costanza, who was holding a squirrel.

Fowler was born in 1930 in Albany, Georgia. He was a standout baseball player who fielded offers from the Yankees and Phillies. Fowler was also rather tall ... standing an intimidating 6-foot-6.

But, he was a big softy when it came to all animals. The "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" wrote on its page Fowler's mission as a naturalist was to "educate the public about wildlife specifies throughout the world and how to preserve environments for both animals and humans."

Diddy got super emotional talking about his late soulmate, Kim Porter ... breaking down into tears reminiscing on their life together.

The music mogul started crying during an interview with Essence while opening up about the pain he's anticipating this weekend on Mother's Day ... his first without the mother of his 3 kids.

Diddy says he and his children will celebrate Kim on Mother's Day, but it's still gonna hurt ... because he still hasn't gotten over her death. Diddy acknowledges it's gonna take some time to heal, if he ever does.

TMZ broke the story ... Kim died unexpectedly back in November at the age of 47, losing her battle with pneumonia. Diddy was distraught for weeks, calling her death a nightmare, and delivering a powerful eulogy at Kim's funeral.

When we last saw Diddy, he told us he was trying to soldier on and take care of his kids without Kim ... but it's clear her loss still weighs heavily on him.

12:21 PM PT -- The network from his 2-season show tells TMZ, "The DIY Network family is sorry to hear about the passing of Troy Dean Shafer, a dedicated, driven entrepreneur and restoration expert who was admired by everyone who worked on the series."

They conclude, "We continue to extend our deepest condolences to Troy's family and friends during this difficult time."

"Nashville Flipped" star Troy Shafer died unexpectedly at the age of 38 ... according to his brother.

Troy's brother, Tim, tells us the TV star died in his sleep on April 28. We're told the entire family is in shock because Troy didn't have any known medical conditions.

The coroner's office in Erie, PA confirms an autopsy was not performed on Troy's body, but a toxicology report will be finalized in the coming weeks.

Troy was laid to rest last week, at a very small private burial for his family.

Troy rose to fame by saving, restoring and flipping dozens of historic homes in Nashville ... with a film crew from the DIY Network following him around. Troy and his team specialized in customizing historic properties to fit the design of a certain era.

Before he was a reality TV star, Troy moved to Nashville with dreams of pursuing a career in music ... but he eventually realized his construction background and talent for restoring historic homes was his big ticket, so he started his home renovation business, Nashville Flipped.

He grew up in Erie, Penn., and graduated from Penn State University.

Troy was 38.

RIP

Luke Perry's son opened up about how much it meant for the late actor to work alongside his son on "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" ... calling it the pinnacle of his career.

Jack Perry jumped on Chris Jericho's "Talk is Jericho" podcast on Westwood One Podcast Network last week and opened up in detail about his father for the first time since the late '90210' star died in March from a massive stroke.

Check out the audio ... Jack -- who recently signed a pro wrestling deal with All Elite Wrestling and goes by Jungle Boy -- recalled how his father was the one who was adamant about Jack joining him in Quentin Tarantino's 9th film.

Luke joins Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie in the 60s flick that chronicles Charles Manson's most famous victim, Sharon Tate. Jack revealed that Luke landing a role in the star-studded cast was the highlight of his career. Working alongside Jack was the cherry on top.

Two days after Luke died, Jack wrote a heartfelt tribute to his father for supporting him in everything ... and especially wrestling.

NFL legend Jim Brown tells TMZ Sports he had tremendous respect for John Singleton -- not only because he was incredibly talented, but he used his talents to bring communities together.

"One of a kind," Brown said on the way out of Singleton's funeral in L.A. on Monday ... "Loved his people. No negatives."

We couldn't find any evidence that Brown and Singleton ever worked on a project together -- seems the Hall of Famer just admired him for everything he accomplished.

In fact, when we brought up Singleton's resume -- and his most famous film "Boyz n the Hood" -- Brown talked about the impact he had on America.

"That was a tremendous breakthrough and one of a kind," Brown said.

You can tell from the clip, Brown appreciated everything Singleton accomplished and stood for.

John Singleton's will is lacking a critical component that is wreaking havoc on his family ... and now his 7 children are all embroiled in conflict over their father's estate.

We've learned the children have lawyered up over John's estate, which is reportedly worth around $35 million. John's mom, Shelia Ward, filed his will in probate court last Friday, leaving all of his property to Justice, his firstborn.

Here are the major problems. The will was drafted in 1993 when Justice was John's only child. John left everything in his will to Justice.

Singleton had a total of 7 kids at the time of his death. The will never accounted for the additional 6 children. Under California law, unless the unborn children were specifically disinherited in the will when John signed it, they may have a legal claim to a portion of his estate. And, no such clause exists in the will.

Shelia is the executor of John's will, and when she filed her legal docs she listed his assets at around $3.8 mil. That means more than $31 million is unaccounted for. Most likely, John created a trust with assets that don't have to go through probate court. In other words, it's all taken care of outside the will.

We don't know who gets what in the trust ... because trust documents don't have to be filed in probate court. But, that is clearly the bulk of John's estate.

We know at least one of John's kids is furious at Shelia because while he was in a coma, 21-year-old Cleopatra accused Shelia of trying to cut all of John's kids out of his estate.

In addition to challenging the will, the kids could file a separate lawsuit if they have beef over the trust or whatever John created to dispose of the $31 mil. A legal fight may not just pit grandma against grandkids ... it could also pit some of the kids against the others.

John Singleton's closest friends and loved ones arrived at his private funeral to pay their final respects.

The late director's Celebration of Life went down Monday at Angelus Funeral Home in L.A. where many of John's friends and family members honored him one last time. Ludacris, Ice Cube, Tyrese, Jim Brown, Tina Knowles and Congresswoman Maxine Waters were just some of the guests who attended.

John will be buried at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills following the service.

As we reported, John died last week at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. after being taken off life support following a massive stroke on April 17. The "Boyz n the Hood" director had been in a coma in ICU since then.

It appears John actually died from the stroke on April 28 at 3:30 PM ... at least that's what's listed on his death certificate. It's interesting because the family announced he had passed on April 29.

3:21 PM -- We got several attendees leaving the Celebration of Life ... from "Baby Boy" star Ving Rhames and Tina Knowles, to Congresswoman Waters, all of whom showered the late director with kind words.