Celebrity Death

BET pulled out all the stops for Nipsey Hussle at its annual award show ... and the emotion onstage and in the crowd was palpable.

In a powerful moment, Hussle's family took the stage to a standing ovation, including the late rapper's girlfriend, Lauren London, and his son, Kross Asghedom, to accept the 2019 Humanitarian Award on his behalf.

"I just want to thank you guys for all of the love and support and the marathon continues again," London said briefly.

"I was so amazed that so much love was out in the world that it uplifted me," said Hussle's grandmother. "God said to Nipsey, 'You've done your job, you've made your mark.' So thank you so much world for loving him, too.' His parents also spoke briefly of their son.

The slain South L.A. MC was presented with a special tribute Sunday night during the BET Awards --where T.I. spoke some kind words about the hip-hop icon, recounting the impact he had on the community as a whole.

"There will never be another Nipsey Hussle; he was a revolutionary," T.I. said. "He was our blessing and inspired people across the world.

The powerful moment led into a musical tribute to Hussle, with performances by Marsha Ambrosius on "Real Big," YG on "Last Time I Checc'd" and DJ Khaled and John Legend leading everyone in white for an emotional performance of "Higher."

They also played a video tribute to Nipsey's life with words from Snoop Dogg, Ava DuVernay and Los Angeles Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson ... it included footage from the last video Hussle shot before his death.

Nipsey was a driving force in his community ... inspiring people to make South L.A. better by both words and deeds.

TMZ broke the story ... Nipsey was gunned down in March outside of his Marathon clothing store in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles.

Nipsey left behind two children -- 10-year-old Emani, and 2-year-old Kross, the latter whom he shared with Lauren London.

He was 33 at the time of his death.

A somber Anderson Cooper paid his final respects to his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, Tuesday in NYC.

The CNN anchor looked on as pallbearers loaded his legendary mother's casket into the hearse before she was laid to rest at a private family cemetery in Staten Island. The plan had been set in motion -- as she and Anderson revealed in the HBO documentary "Nothing Left Unsaid" -- for her to be buried with her husband, Wyatt Cooper, and next to her son, Carter Cooper, who died in 1988 at the age of 23.

As we reported ... the heiress to the Vanderbilt railroad fortune and creator of the insanely popular Vanderbilt jeans died Monday after battling stomach cancer. It was so advanced, she had been taken to the hospital earlier this month.

Anderson penned a touching tribute to his mother on Instagram not long after the funeral ... saying her love was the greatest gift to him. Gloria Vanderbilt was 95.

XXXTentacion is being remembered on the one year anniversary of his murder ... by a bunch of fans who have flooded to his gravesite.

Throngs of people made their way to the Gardens of Boca Raton Memorial Park on Tuesday ... where XXX -- gov. name Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy -- was buried. There's a massive mausoleum there erected in the rapper's honor.

We're told immediate family members also arrived and went inside the mausoleum and closed the doors behind them. The public was not let inside the structure for the private moment.

As we first reported ... XXX was shot dead exactly 1 year ago when 2 men wearing hoodies rolled up on XXX at a motorcycle dealership in Pompano Beach, FL and opened fire. The deadly shooting was caught on video.

The suspects -- who made off with a Louis Vuitton bag and $50k in cash -- are now awaiting trial.

X's girlfriend gave birth to the rapper's son 7 months after his death. He chose the name for his firstborn son -- Gekyume Onfroy, who was born 3 days after what would have been the rapper's 21st bday.

BTW ... X's official Instagram account just posted a video announcing that a documentary on the rapper has been in the works and is coming soon. Check it out.

Bernie McGee -- one of the stars of "Seeking Sister Wife" -- has died from a heart attack according to his wife Paige, who's blaming her brother for causing the stress she believes killed Bernie.

Paige confirmed to TMZ ... Bernie was riding his bicycle Saturday when he overheated and felt ill, and he called her to come pick him up. She says by the time she arrived, EMTs were already working on him ... and she knew it was very bad.

Paige says the coroner told her Bernie died from heat stroke and a heart attack ... but she believes her brother, Patrick Marble, was the biggest factor in his death.

We broke the story ... Paige's bro accused the reality TV couple of harassing him, and they were arrested in March on stalking charges. Paige says the arrest greatly upset Bernie because it happened in front of their sons, and he never got over it.

Their court date for the case was approaching, and Paige says it had a terrible effect on Bernie, saying ... "the stress of going to court this coming Wednesday with fear of 1 year in jail wore on Bernie."

Paige claims, ultimately, her brother's actions led to her husband suffering a heart attack, saying ... "Patrick's constant lies and attacks against us caused this!"

She adds, "YOU KILLED MY HUSBAND AND I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL!!!!!"

Patrick tells TMZ, due to Bernie's passing, he is dropping the stalking charges against Paige pronto. He says he last spoke to her a few weeks ago to try to resolve things. Paige says she doesn't have a relationship with her brother and never has.

Gloria Vanderbilt, the heiress to the Vanderbilt railroad fortune and creator of the wildly popular Vanderbilt jeans, has died.

It appears she died of stomach cancer, which was so advanced she was taken to the hospital earlier this month.

Gloria, the mother of Anderson Cooper, was a woman of many trades, including model, fashion designer and actress. She was also one of the biggest socialites in New York City.

During the '70s, Gloria launched a line of designer jeans with her signature, designer swan. One of her slogans is "My bottoms are tops."

Gloria was married 4 times ... one of her husband's was famed director Sidney Lumet. She was linked over the years to a number of famous men, including Howard Hughes, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly.

Her life was not without tragedy. Gloria's oldest son with Wyatt Cooper, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, committed suicide at age 23 back in 1988 by jumping out of the family's 14th floor window.

She was also embroiled in a famous custody battle. Her dad died when she was a baby and her mom and aunt fought over who should raise her. The custody trial became the basis for the 1980 book and subsequent miniseries, "Little Gloria ... Happy at Last." It was nominated for 6 Emmys.

She was super close to Anderson. In 1995, Gloria sold her mansion and moved in with Anderson to write her book, "A Mother's Story" ... which dealt with coping with Carter's suicide. In 2016, the two also released a book and a documentary on HBO together titled 'Nothing Left Unsaid.'

Anderson just gave a tribute to his mom, saying, "Gloria Vanderbilt was an extraordinary woman who loved life and lived it on her own terms. What an extraordinary life. What an extraordinary mom. What an incredible woman."

Nipsey Hussle's family has a new argument for why they should retain custody of his daughter -- they claim there's ample proof her mother is unfit, based on her 2 other children.

Sources close to the late rapper tell TMZ ... his family's lawyers think they can win the custody battle for his 10-year-old girl, Emani Asghedom, by highlighting Tanisha Foster's track record with her 18-year-old daughter.

We're told the girl is currently in juvenile detention in L.A., and has been in and out of the system since she was 12. Our sources say she's in juvi now for petty theft, and nobody will come forward to claim her ... including Tanisha.

Even though her daughter is 18, we're told the detention center won't release her because she doesn't have a GED or a stable environment to which she can return. Our sources say Tanisha's been MIA most of her daughter's life and has refused to attend her court hearings.

We're told Foster also has a 17-year-old son who bounces around from home to home and doesn't attend school regularly.

Nipsey's family claims the proof is in the pudding and feels Foster is not a fit parent -- and definitely isn't qualified to care for Emani.

We broke the story ... the family also believes Foster is unstable due to her long rap sheet and current legal issues.

Emani is currently living with Nipsey's sister, Samantha, who kept custody of her after a court hearing last month ... much to the chagrin of Tanisha.

Pat Bowlen -- the longtime owner of the Denver Broncos who helped the team win THREE Super Bowls -- has died at 75.

The Broncos announced Friday the Hall of Famer passed away late Thursday night following his battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Bowlen is one of the most successful team owners in sports history ... he bought the Broncos back in 1984 and helped SEVEN different rosters make the Super Bowl.

Pat's Broncos also averaged more than 10 wins per season in his 35-year tenure as Broncos' owner.

"We are saddened to inform everyone that our beloved husband and father, Pat Bowlen, passed on to the next chapter of his life late Thursday night peacefully at home surrounded by family," his family said in a statement released by the team.

"His soul will live on through the Broncos, the city of Denver and all of our fans."

Pat -- who stepped down from his day-to-day role as owner of the Broncos in 2014 because of his battle with Alzheimer's -- is most famously known for his relationship with John Elway.

After Elway won his first Super Bowl with the Broncos in the 1997 season ... Pat famously grabbed the Lombardi Trophy and said, "This one's for John!"

Of course, about 20 years later -- after Elway won Super Bowl 50 as Denver's general manager -- he said, "This one's for Pat!"

Bowlen was just named a Hall of Famer this year ... and will be officially inducted at a ceremony in Canton, Ohio this summer.

“Our family wishes to express its sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support we have received in recent years," Pat's family said ... "Heaven got a little bit more orange and blue tonight."

Sylvia Miles -- who rose to fame for her role in "Midnight Cowboy" -- has died.

TMZ has confirmed the two-time Academy Award nominee passed away Wednesday in New York ... and she reportedly died in the back of an ambulance on the way to a hospital.

Sylvia was in her mid-40s when she acted alongside Jon Voight in the 1969 movie, "Midnight Cowboy" ... and she played an Upper East Side hooker trying to out-hustle Voight's character, an aspiring gigolo. She was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Miles earned her second Oscar nomination for her role in the 1975 film, "Farewell, My Lovely" ... appearing in a five-and-a-half minute scene with Robert Mitchum.

Sylvia also acted in tons of TV and theater productions ... and she was a fixture on the NYC party scene, turning up with pal Andy Warhol.

Miles, born and raised in Greenwich Village, was reportedly in declining health -- struggling with respiratory problems -- and had recently left a nursing home.

Sylvia was 94.

Geto Boys rapper Bushwick Bill turned to alternative medicine in his final days, and he went to the Mile High State to find some peace of mind before his death ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the hip-hop pioneer tell us Bill passed away Sunday night in Colorado. Our sources say Houston was relayed to the media to protect the family's desire for privacy. We're told BB had checked into a Houston hospital in late May -- but when doctors said he could catch a blood infection due to his deteriorating immune system ... he opted to head for the clean air of the Rockies.

We're told Bill decided to try holistic treatments at the Colorado facility where he checked in late last week. It was exactly the kinda setting he wanted -- in nature surrounded by majestic mountains.

As we reported, he died Sunday with his kids by his side after a hard-fought battle.

BB was able to tie up some last-minute business as well -- we're told he was able to finish his final album, "Check Morals/Turpitude Balance" and also put the final stepping stones in place to launch a Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

Mary Duggar -- the mother of "19 Kids and Counting" star Jim Bob Duggar -- has died.

The family announced Mary died suddenly Sunday afternoon. The cause of death is unclear and it's unknown if she suffered from any ailments, but the family seems to be in shock. She often appeared on '19 Kids' and the TLC spin-off show "Counting On."

Mary -- from Farmington, Arkansas -- was in real estate and married to Jimmy Lee Duggar for almost 50 years. She, of course, famously gave birth to Jim Bob, who went on to have 19 kids ... hence the show.

The family wrote on Facebook, "She is greately loved and will be missed so very much! She lived a tremendous life as a follower of Christ, a wife, a devoted mother, a loving mother-in-law and a much-loved grandmother."

Mary's grandson Josh Duggar's wife, Anna, took to Instagram to share the news. She posted pics of Mary with her 6 kids. She wrote, "Great-Grandma Duggar went to heaven today to be with Jesus! What an awesome woman of faith and such a loving example of God's love. She was a true soul-winner and loved everyone she met."

Anna went on to say, "Miss her soooo much and we cherish each moment we were blessed to spend together! Lots of tears being shed here -- grateful for all the prayers!"

Mary's survived by her son, Jim Bob, her daughter, Deanna, 21 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was 78. RIP

8:45 PM PT -- Bill's reps confirm he died Sunday evening surrounded by family at 9:35 PM in Houston. His publicist says plans are underway for a public memorial.

His son, Javon, tells TMZ ... Bill's final words were, "I will love you forever."

Bushwick Bill, real name Richard Shaw, was 52.

RIP

10:05 AM PT -- Bill's daughter says her father is "fighting for his life" and needs prayers and support. She also hinted at some friction between Bill and unnamed industry people. She said on IG, "Certain people have been so quick to write him off as dead so they can capitalize off it."

She stressed, "There is no Geto Boys without Bushwick Bill."

8:55 AM PT -- Bill's publicist tells TMZ he is "still alive and fighting cancer" in a hospital. She says she spoke to hospital staff to confirm, and says some of Bill's family members are by his hospital bedside right now. Others are on their way.

As for why so many of Bill's friends, including Scarface, are posting that he's passed -- the publicist says someone got incorrect information which is spreading like wildfire.

The rumors were likely stirred by Bill's absence from a Saturday night Dallas gig. He was scheduled to make a special performance, but was unable to make it because he was hospitalized.

His publicist tells us event organizers were notified ahead of the show that Bill was not well enough to make it.

Bushwick Bill, one third of iconic rap group the Geto Boys, is in bad shape ... but still battling with pancreatic cancer.

TMZ broke the story ... Bill was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in February. Just last month, he told us he was undergoing intensive chemotherapy, and had hoped to get back on the road.

Bushwick Bill, Scarface and Willie D became the Geto Boys in Houston back in 1988 and signed with J. Prince's Rap-A-Lot Records. The group was instantly controversial for its graphic lyrics which made radio airplay almost impossible. Their 1991 album "Can't Be Stopped" still went platinum, though, on the strength of classics like, "Mind Playing Tricks On Me."

Just a few weeks ago, the rap trio was trying to put together a reunion, but it fell apart at the last minute.

As we first reported, Bill had a falling out with tour organizers ... feeling like they were exploiting his cancer diagnosis to sell tickets. He was especially bent out of shape with the mini-tour's title, "The Beginning of a Long Goodbye: The Final Farewell."

Promoters pulled the plug on the tour on the eve of its launch. However, Bill told us he wanted to do a 20-city solo tour called "Phuck Cancer" ... and planned to donate a portion of proceeds to pancreatic cancer patients in each city.

Houston hip-hop icon Bun B paid tribute on Twitter, saying Bushwick "will always be a legend."

Charlamagne Tha God is adamant ... if Americans collectively decide to get their mental health in order, there'd no doubt be a huge decline in violence.

We got Charlamagne out in NYC and straight-up asked him ... if rappers went to therapy, would there be less violence in the hip-hop world? The 'Breakfast Club' host shot back saying therapy wouldn't just benefit one industry, but the entire country.

He also thinks it would go a long way to curbing mass shootings and other violence in the hood.

The mental health topic, of course, comes on the heels of Charlamagne's interview with YG, who said showing his emotions and having a good cry is just NOT his thing.

Charlamagne got YG to confess the rapper did get emotional after his boy, Nipsey Hussle, was murdered 2 months ago. But, aside from that, YG says crying ain't his thing.

Dennis Day -- an original Mouseketeer on "The Mickey Mouse Club" -- was found dead just over 2 months ago but his body was too decomposed for authorities to ID him ... until now.

Day's family confirmed Thursday it was his body cops found in his Phoenix, Oregon home back on April 4 ... which is highly suspicious and mysterious, because cops had previously searched the home and found nothing.

The 76-year-old went missing last July 15, and there was an extensive search, which included combing his home. Police say it's unclear how long the body had been there, or how the body was missed during previous searches. They're not saying if there were signs of foul play. They had not been able to identify the body back in April because the condition of the remains was severely degraded, which rendered DNA and dental records unusable.

Dennis was originally reported missing by his partner of more than 45 years, who lives at a care facility. He says he got worried after Dennis hadn't visited in weeks.

Authorities say Day's family didn't find out about his disappearance until 6 months later when they saw a report on the local news. Adding to the mystery ... his car was found about 200 miles away along the Oregon coast with 2 strangers in the car claiming he'd let them borrow the car.

State police impounded the vehicle and continued investigating for a cause of death.

Dennis was a 12-year-old actor when he first signed on as a Mouseketeer in 1955.

As an original member of the Mouseketeers, he reportedly modeled prospective costumes for Walt Disney and appeared in publicity photos for the TV show. He last appeared on the show in 1957. He tried his hand at theater in NY and was later a drama teacher in California.

Dr. John -- a Grammy-winning singer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee whose fascination with voodoo inspired his stage name -- has died.

The New Orleans-born singer died Thursday of a heart attack. The family said in a statement Dr. John died "toward the break of day." The family did not say where he died. Dr. John -- born Mac Rebennack -- had been out of the public spotlight since 2017 after canceling several gigs.

The doc is largely known for his top 10 hit, "Right Place, Wrong Time." He was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 and won 6 Grammys ... including Best Blues Album for "Locked Down" in 2013.

Mac reportedly created his musical personality out a male version of Marie Laveau, the voodoo queen. Mac, he wrote in his memoir, drew inspiration from New Orleans folklore about a root doctor who flourished in the mid-1800s.

Dr. John -- who served time in prison and had the ring finger on his left hand blown off during a shooting incident in 1961 -- played with some of the best ... including The Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones.

Earlier Thursday, we posted a story about T.I.'s sister, Precious Harris Chapman, and reported the Medical Examiner's official findings on her cause of death ... we were wrong to do it.

T.I. and his family are hurt and furious, and they have a point.

Precious was a vital member in her community throughout her life. She was a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She mentored children and young women in need over the years. She was an ambassador for Saving Our Daughters, a nonprofit created by parents Curtis and Debbie Benjamin, who lost their child to a brain tumor.

In her efforts connected to Saving Our Daughters, she helped girls overcome the many obstacles they face growing up -- bullying, dating abuse, domestic violence and more.

She worked tirelessly over the years with Hosea Feed the Hungry, an organization that feeds the homeless and hungry in Atlanta, alongside the daughter of civil rights icon Hosea Williams.

She was a supporter and advocate for Motherless Daughters and the Covenant House. Motherless Daughters supported and advocated on behalf of daughters who have lost their mothers by providing emotional support, guidance and resources. She started the Precious Academy, an early education initiative where she provided early education, nurturing and supporting children and their families.

Precious was an active member of Salem Bible Church, where there is a Community Center in her name, to serve people in need in the area where she grew up.

She was recently granted a scholarship in her name -- by VH1 -- the Precious Chapman Scholarship.

Precious worked alongside her brother in Atlanta for more than 10 years on philanthropic and humanitarian initiatives, including the annual Senior Thanksgiving, where they feed more than 7,000 seniors and grandparents raising their grandchildren. She also cohosted the annual Holiday Caravan, where she supported daycares in need, provided Christmas gifts for Children's Hospital and serviced youth in need throughout the Bankhead section of Atlanta.

Precious was only peripherally involved in T.I. and Tiny's reality show, and wasn't in the spotlight as a celebrity.

John Singleton's mother wants control of the late director's estate STAT ... she claims her son's property is being snatched up by someone close to the family.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Singleton's mother, Shelia Ward, says someone is after John's valuable art collection, comic book trove and tons of his personal items ... and she says that person went into his locked office and basically took a bunch of stuff.

In the docs, Shelia claims her son's valuables were locked in his home office after his death ... but she says someone recently went in and removed some things.

According to the docs, Shelia claims the person who took the stuff has keys to John's house and boat ... but it's not clear who the individual is.

Shelia is asking for control of the estate so she can "restore order," secure his assets and have the final say when it comes to his property.

John died April 28 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. after being taken off life support following a massive stroke.