Celebrity Death

Al Sharpton wants someone to blast Donald Trump with a little of Aretha Franklin's "Respect" ... 'cause dude really needs it.

We got the reverend out in NYC Thursday and, of course, had to ask him about The Queen of Soul passing away several hours earlier. Al paid heavy tribute and went down memory lane when it came to her iconic performances.

But more than anything, Al says on the heels of Trump calling Omarosa a dog he, more than anyone else, should soak in the classic track. As we reported ... Aretha died Thursday after a long battle with cancer.

The perfect way to remember Aretha Franklin is through her music ... and the Queen of Soul is now topping the charts on iTunes.

Aretha has the No. 1 song, "Respect," and the top album, "30 Greatest Hits." She also has 3 more tracks in the Top 10.

It's not just her songs that are getting major play ... Aretha has the No. 2 music vid, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)." The jam features George Michael.

The hits keep coming ... Aretha has 3 more tracks in the Top 40, for a total of 7 -- "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" is No. 2; "I Say A Little Prayer" is No. 4; "Chain of Fools" is No. 9; "Think" is No. 14; "Until You Come Back to Me" is No. 24; "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" is No. 36.

As we reported ... Aretha died in her Detroit home Thursday after a long battle with advanced pancreatic cancer. She was 76.

At first blush, it appears Garry Shandling left behind an estate of less than a million dollars -- a surprisingly low amount for the mega-successful comedian ... but there's more to the story.

According to new legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Shandling had a net worth $668,636 at the time of his death, which was left with the executor of his estate ... his lawyer and friend, Bill Isaacson.

But, there's a catch -- Isaacson is the trustee of a trust Shandling created that's hidden from public view ... a trust that likely contains millions more in assets.

As we reported with Anthony Bourdain, rich celebs often create these separate trusts for various reasons, including privacy and tax purposes.

That seems to be the case with the late star of "The Larry Sanders Show" as well.

Aretha Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ... and the org has already rolled out a new display to honor the singer.

Franklin -- who was inducted back in 1987 -- once gifted the HOF a Valentino dress she'd worn at Radio City Music Hall during an appearance in 1979. The Hall put that dress on display as a tribute to the Queen of Soul.

President and CEO of the Rock Hall, Greg Harris, tells us, "Lady Soul. The first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Aretha Franklin was an artist of passion, sophistication and command, whose recordings remain anthems that defined soul music. Long live the Queen.”

Barack & Michelle Obama say America has no royalty ... but the Queen of Soul is as close as we get.

The former Prez just weighed in on the passing of the legendary Aretha Franklin, saying from the time she began performing in her father's congregation, "every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine."

Obama adds that Aretha helped define the experience of being an American, helped us feel more hopeful and connected ... and sometimes helped us "just forget about everything else and dance."

And for that ... 44 says Franklin has earned and deserves nothing but our respect.

Aretha's performance at Obama's inauguration in 2009 was powerful and unforgettable ... one of the highlights of an historic day.

Aretha Franklin's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has received a fitting tribute in the wake of her death ... a crown to honor the Queen of Soul.

Franklin's passing Thursday morning sparked a wave of memories and tributes, and fans were quick to flock to Hollywood Boulevard to do their part as well. Unclear who placed the crown, but the meaning is obvious ... Aretha was the Queen of Soul.

As we reported ... Aretha died at her home in Detroit surrounded by friends and family after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Aretha's family released a statement, saying, "In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family."

Franklin was 76.

It's no surprise ... there has been a cascade of grief, sympathy and tributes from celebrities around the world in the wake of Aretha Franklin's passing.

Mary Wilson -- founding member of the Supremes -- tells TMZ, "When God created Soul, he created Aretha Franklin to sing it!"

Gladys Knight wrote Aretha a note, which states, "Well my sister our Father in Heaven has called you home, but we are so very grateful to him for blessing you with such an awesome gift to share with us. Your music set a standard for every single lady in this industry to rise to. You have touched minds, hearts and spirits, including my own."

She continues, "Yes, we are sisters and we squabbled as sisters do, but we also loved, supported and laughed together through our lifetime. I pray you have a smooth journey Ree Ree and hopefully I'll get to sing with you in the Heavenly choir, if I make it. Love you, Gladys"

And the tributes go on:

Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I've ever known. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #Aretha

Ronnie McNeir, a member of The Four Tops, knew Aretha Franklin well, and says long, long ago he became mesmerized by her amazing voice.

Ronnie says he wrote a song for Aretha -- "Sister Ree" -- and sang it for her last Christmas. He sings part of the song in this clip, with the words ...

Sister Rer
Greatest in this Century

Ronnie says Aretha loved the song so much ... she said she wanted it included in her upcoming biopic. BTW, Aretha will be played by Jennifer Hudson.

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, died on the same day as Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, 41 years later ... and it's both weird and fitting.

Aretha's passing fell on Elvis' 41st death anniversary -- August 16, 1977 -- albeit under extremely different circumstances.

As we reported ... Aretha died in her Detroit home after being placed in hospice care earlier in the week. She'd been suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, and had been gravely ill in the days leading up to her death. The singer was 76 years old.

As for Elvis, he died of a heart attack. He was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of his Graceland home in Memphis, TN.

The two singers proved to be American icons and international fixtures in pop culture. In honor of their passings ... RIP to the Queen and King.

The Detroit Lions are remembering the city's greatest singer -- sending their "deepest condolences to the family and friends of Aretha Franklin."

The Lions tweeted out, "Aretha was a groundbreaker and an icon whose legacy will live on forever."

Aretha famously busted out a FOUR-AND-A-HALF MINUTE rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at a Lions game on Thanksgiving 2016 ... one of the greatest National Anthem performances ever.

Former Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas also showed Aretha some love -- tweeting, "Rest In Peace dear friend, I will remember your wisdom, laughter and music you gave us. #aintnoway #natuaralwoman #sayalittleprayerforyou."

The Detroit Tigers honored Aretha by posting a tribute on their video board ... with the message "Forever our queen."

ESPN's Jemele Hill -- who's from Detroit -- also weighed in ... saying, "Rest in power, Aretha. You were not only the Queen of Soul, but a warrior, a survivor, an icon, and a protector. You are Detroit’s heartbeat. Rest well, Queen."

Hill added, "Aretha was Detroit’s sister, auntie, momma, Queen and homegirl — all in one career. There are few people that defend, honor and protect someone the way we did Aretha. You can talk about our economy, and our crime, but say something about Re-Re, and you’ll get dealt with. Quick."

LB Bonner called 911 before he shot himself, but the operator couldn't help him out because she couldn't hear him ... according to the audio.

The former "My 600-lb Life" star can be heard trying to give his location on the call -- obtained by TMZ -- but hangs up after the dispatcher explains she's having difficulty understanding him. She then tries to call him back ... but it goes straight to voicemail.

L.B.'s mother also called 911, saying he'd been posting threats about hurting himself online and she's afraid he's going to "do something stupid." According to his mom ... L.B. reached out to many people -- including producers of the show -- about his suicidal thoughts, but then nobody could reach him.

We broke the story ... Bonner's death was ruled a suicide by the coroner, from a self-inflicted single gunshot wound to the head.

Bonner appeared in last season's "My 600-lb Life" ... which documented his journey as he dropped more than 300 pounds.

Sharon Tate is about to be resurrected in spectacular fashion in Quentin Tarantino's new movie, thanks to Margot Robbie ... so says Sharon's sister, who watched the action on the closed set.

Debra Tate says QT's flick "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" -- which centers around the murders of her sibling and her friends at the hands of the Manson Family -- is magnificent because Margot is capturing all the nuances from the slain actress.

It's a hell of an Oscar pitch. Debra says Margot's taking the role incredibly seriously ... and it shows from what she's seen firsthand on set. And, of course, the resemblance is uncanny.

There's also this ... Debra says all the A-listers attached -- including Leo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, just to name a few -- are actually super friendly in real life. How 'bout that?!

Debra had previously bashed Tarantino and his cast for not reaching out to her for her blessing, but that's all changed. She came out fully supporting the movie late last month ... and it sounds like the film has come to exceed her expectations since then.

Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart's wife told emergency personnel the ex-WWE superstar collapsed while appearing to have a seizure early Monday morning ... and slammed his head when he fell to the ground.

Elizabeth Neidhart told investigators Jim was having difficulty sleeping and got out of bed to change the thermostat. But, when Jim went to touch it, he "turned weirdly as if he were about to dance."

"He then fell towards the wall and ground," the investigation report says.

Elizabeth called 911 thinking he was having a seizure since he "suffers from seizures and takes medication for it."

Neidhart's wife says Jim's last seizure was Dec. 2017 -- and she notes doctors also believed he may have had Alzheimer's as well.

When officials arrived to Jim's home -- they found the 63-year-old on the floor with a 4-inch gash on his face.

Investigators found medication at the home, but note "none of the medication appeared to have been abused."

9:05 AM PT -- The Pasco Sheriff's Office tells TMZ Sports ... "Preliminary information indicates that [Neidhart] fell at home, hit his head, and succumbed to his injury."

"No foul play suspected. No additional information to release at this time."

Wrestling legend Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart has died, according to the WWE. He was 63.

Neidhart passed away early Monday morning after suffering a medical emergency at a home in Florida.

According to the emergency dispatch audio, emergency personnel were called around 6:30 AM about a man having seizures and convulsions.

At one point, the dispatch operator says, "They think he might be Signal 7" -- which is code for a dead person.

Jim was a WWF superstar in the mid-'80s and early '90s as a member of The Hart Foundation tag team with Bret "The Hitman" Hart ... managed by Jimmy Hart.

During his legendary career, Jim was a 2-time Tag Team champion -- defeating everyone from the Legion of Doom to the Nasty Boys to The Rockers.

Neidhart also wrestled with WCW and TNA Wrestling. He last wrestled in WWE back in 2007, but has made appearances on "Total Divas."

Before he became a pro wrestler, Neidhart pursued a career in pro football -- with brief stints with the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

Neidhart struggled with substance abuse -- he went to rehab twice after drug-related arrests.

Neidhart is survived by his wife, Ellie, and 3 daughters including Natalie -- aka WWE superstar Natalya.

R.I.P.

Smash from Demolition tweeted about Neidhart, saying, "It is terrible I just heard Jim Neidhart passed away. I just pray for his family to get through this.Jim was a great friend and I will really miss him."

Bret Hart says he's "stunned and saddened" by the death of his former tag team partner and brother-in-law, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart ... saying, "I just don't have the words right now."

Hart also posted a photo of his old friend with their tag team wrestling championship belts.

Bret and Jim started The Hart Foundation tag team group in 1985 -- and are widely considered one of the best tag teams of all time.

Ric Flair also posted a tribute -- saying, "My Good Friend Jim Neidhart, A World Class Athlete And A Man Among Men. Rest In Peace."

Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake added, "Devastating news Jim Neidhart my friend has passed away!! I can hardly believe it. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again!!!"

The Iron Sheik wrote, "ONE OF MY OLDEST FRIENDS IN THE BUSINESS JIM NEIDHART. WE TRAVEL TOGETHER I LOVE HIM FOREVER LIKE A BROTHER. GOD BLESS FAMILY I NEVER FORGET YOU BUBBA."

Sgt. Slaughter said ... "Saddened To Hear Jim Neidhart Has Passed. My Prayers Are With His Families. Guess God Needed An “Anvil” Angel RIP Jim."

Tab Hunter -- the 1950s heartthrob actor -- died after his heart gave out but, according to his death certificate, he was also battling a debilitating disease ... prostate cancer.

According to the doc -- obtained by TMZ -- Tab died from cardiogenic shock ... which is when the blood suddenly can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Another contributing factor to his death was a massive pulmonary embolism. The doc also says he had prostate cancer.

As we reported ... the actor known for his surfer-boy looks and roles in "Damn Yankees" and "The Burning Hills" died last month -- 3 days shy of his birthday -- at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Tab always felt he would have been blackballed from Hollywood if people had discovered he was gay, so he later revealed in his memoirs that he had studio setup relationships with women.

Tab was 86.