Celebrity Death

Ronnie Hillman, the former Denver Broncos running back who helped Peyton Manning win a Super Bowl, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer, his family announced Wednesday.

He was just 31 years old.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother & father, Ronnie K Hillman Jr.," the family said in a statement. "Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned today in the company of his family and close friends."

The 2012 third-round pick had been diagnosed in August with Renal Medullary Carcinoma -- a rare form of cancer that affects young African Americans with sickle cell trait. He had fought it valiantly -- but was recently placed in hospice care.

His former Denver teammates -- Derek Wolfe and Orlando Franklin -- had asked Broncos fans to pray for him as his condition had worsened this week.

"We as the family, appreciate the prayers and kind words that have already been expressed," Hillman's family added in a statement Wednesday night. "We ask that you would give us time to process our feelings as we prepare to lay our precious RJ to rest."

Ronnie spent six seasons in the NFL -- playing for the Broncos, Vikings, Chargers and Cowboys. But, it was his time in Denver that most will remember him for.

He spent 2012 through 2015 in the Mile High City -- and had his greatest moment with the Broncos at the end of the '15 season ... when he was a member of the Super Bowl 50 team that defeated Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

"A bright soul gone far too soon," the Broncos said in a statement Thursday. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Hillman family during this difficult time."

R.I.P.

Franco Harris sat down for what was likely his last interview on Tuesday -- just hours before his untimely death -- where the Steelers legend talked about how happy he was to make it to the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception."

"50 years. C'mon, that's a long time, but I'm still around to enjoy it, so that's good," 72-year-old Harris said with a big smile.

We're told the interview was done around 2:30 PM Eastern on December 20, 2022 ... for "Not Just Football With Cam Heyward," the Steelers star's Omaha Productions produced show.

Of course, Harris' death was announced on Wednesday ... and it shocked the country.

During the chat, Harris and Heyward reminisced about one of the greatest plays in sports history. Franco talked about what he was supposed to do during the play, what he remembers after catching the ball (nothing!), and what transpired after the incredible catch (including when he wound up alone in a restaurant with the entire Raiders team.)

Outwardly, absolutely nothing seemed off about Franco ... and like usual, he appeared to be in a great mood.

Franco was set to be honored this weekend across the NFL ... as the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception is on December 23. Harris' #32 was also set to be retired ... and he was expected to be at Acrisure Stadium.

Actress Charlbi Dean died of a bacterial infection and other complications ... it was announced 4 months after her sudden passing.

The NYC medical examiner released Dean's cause of death Wednesday night, using the more official term, "Bacterial (Capnocytophaga) Sepsis."

According to the Center For Disease Control, Capnocytophaga is a bacteria spread to people in close contact with dogs and cats, or bitten by the animals. It can cause infections in those with weakened immune systems. Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection, which, if not rapidly treated, can lead to organ failure and death. People was first to report on the cause.

The M.E. tells TMZ ... Dean's death, which was ruled an accident, was complicated by the absence of her spleen, making her more susceptible to the bacterial infection. Fox News reported Dean was involved in a 2009 car crash, leading to the removal of her spleen.

As we reported ... Dean passed away in an NYC hospital after she unexpectedly fell ill back in August. She was only 32 and her career was beginning to take off.

Dean scored a lead role, starring alongside Woody Harrelson in the recently released film, "Triangle of Sadness," which received top honors at the Cannes Film Festival, winning the coveted Palme d'Or award.

Two of the most powerful men in United States history are heartbroken over the death of Franco Harris ... with both Joe Biden and Barack Obama saying Wednesday they're devastated by the Steelers legend's passing.

The current POTUS and the ex-POTUS both took to their social media pages to remember the Pro Football Hall of Famer ... with Biden explaining he'd actually been a friend of Harris' for years.

"I knew him for his character and compassion," Biden said, "someone who spent time with my boys after we lost my first wife and infant daughter."

Obama meanwhile, said he too knew Harris off the field -- and loved the guy.

"He was an extraordinary man," #44 said ... before writing that Harris "will be missed."

The former running back passed away overnight on Tuesday, his family announced on Wednesday. A cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Harris seemed to be in great spirits just hours before his death -- posing for photos with fans in front of his statue at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

"Our thoughts go out to his family and all of Steeler Nation," Obama said.

Boosie Badazz isn’t letting slain Migos rapper Takeoff’s name fade from memory -- he just released a touching visual for his “Rocketman” memorial song.

The somber black-and-white video features Boosie overlooking a Takeoff portrait amid a candlelight vigil as he laments on past mistakes and ills within Black culture.

Boosie also gives shoutouts to incarcerated Lousiana rap legends B.G. and C-Murder as well as Mo3 ... his former collaborator who was killed in November 2020, which resulted in Boosie catching a bullet at his public memorial.

On Wednesday, Boosie also teased the tribute track’s remix on social media … exciting fans with appearances from Kodak Black and Jeezy coming up next!!!

Gucci Mane also mourned Takeoff with a similar lyrical tribute and justice in the late rapper’s case has been moving along according.

Princess Diana is reportedly set to be shown in an open casket in the next season of 'The Crown' -- this in the aftermath of her onscreen death ... which has some folks up in arms.

Filming for the 6th installment of the hit Netflix series is underway, and according to The Sun, one scene, in particular, is expected to be met by pushback from Brits and others alike ... because, apparently, we'll see Princess Di's body.

The paper reports the scene in question depicts actress Elizabeth Debicki -- who plays Diana -- lying in an open coffin at what sounds like the morgue following her fatal accident in Paris. The Sun says actor Dominic West -- who plays Prince Charles -- comes in to look at her and breaks down in tears and hysterics, as do Princess Diana's sisters.

There's another controversial scene that's reported to have been shot -- which includes nurses and doctors trying to save Diana at the hospital ... totally drenched in blood. The Sun describes it as gory theatre, and jarring as well.

There are concerns it could retraumatize Charles, William and Harry -- and other members of the Royal family. The Sun reports some connected to the production feel Netflix went too far in what they've recreated for the small screen ... all in an effort to chase views.

It's unclear if Debicki was done up in injury-like make-up for the scene -- where she was asked to lie in the coffin and play dead -- but you gotta imagine the state of Princess Di's body wasn't in the greatest shape considering the horrific wreckage.

There's hope, it seems, as Season 6 draws near ... word of these scenes will drum up enough indignation that it might force Netflix to remove some of them, or edit them down.

Harry has said he watches the show, but noted ... he's well aware that it's mostly fiction. Will, for his part, has said he does not watch it -- other senior Royals have also either denied watching it or not commented altogether.

Franco Harris -- a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the most legendary Pittsburgh Steelers of all time -- has died ... his family announced Wednesday.

He was 72 years old.

A cause of death has yet to be revealed ... though the Harris family said he passed away overnight.

"The entire team at the Pro Football Hall of Fame is immensely saddened today," Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said Wednesday morning in a statement.

"We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and, most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet. Franco not only impacted the game of football, but he also affected the lives of many, many people in profoundly positive ways."

Harris was taken by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft ... and it didn't take long for him to become a huge star. In his rookie season, he ran for 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns, making the Pro Bowl team while winning Rookie of the Year honors.

Harris went on to make eight more Pro Bowls with the Steelers ... and ended up winning four Super Bowls with the team. In SB IX, he was named MVP.

In his career, Harris rushed for 12,120 yards and 91 TDs, while adding 2,287 yards and 9 TDs receiving. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound running back, though, is most well known for his role in the "Immaculate Reception" -- a wild play in a 1972 AFC divisional round playoff game against the Raiders that many consider one of the greatest moments in NFL history.

During the play, the Steelers were down 7-6 on fourth down with just 22 seconds left in the game. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw heaved a pass that was ultimately deflected backward -- right into Harris' waiting arms.

Harris then ran it in for the game-winning score.

Harris was set to be honored by the Steelers just one day after the 50th anniversary of the play ... with Pittsburgh formally retiring his No. 32 on Saturday during its game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

"Words can’t begin to describe the pain I am feeling," former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis said following Franco's death Wednesday. "Franco will always be a brother, mentor and my definition of greatness. He was a legend on the field and the personification of excellence off of the field -- A true class act to look up to and aspire to be like."

"RIP #32"

"Super Sized Salon" star Jamie Lopez had big plans for a new salon before her death, but tragically ... she was rushed to the hospital the day after construction wrapped at the new business and passed away the following morning.

Sources close to Jamie tell TMZ ... she contacted a friend last Friday, thinking she needed to go to the hospital. We're told she'd been dealing with an ongoing cough that turned into a lung infection, and even complained about her heart feeling weird the week of her death.

An ambulance took Jamie to the hospital Friday night, where we're told her heart stopped -- and although doctors were able to resuscitate her, it stopped again ... and, as we reported, she died early Saturday morning.

Sadly, she was on the verge of a career milestone -- construction of her new salon was set in motion when rent on Jamie's OG place from season 1 was raised during the COVID-19 pandemic. She made the decision to build her own, but that pushed the production of season 2 back by 4 months.

We're told construction finished last Thursday and the new sign, reading "Babydoll Beauty Couture by Jamie Lopez" had just gone up. The plan is to go forward with the opening, once the building passes inspection. Jamie's loved ones want to hold a memorial for her at the salon.

As you know, Babydoll Beauty Couture was founded to service plus-sized women, and "Super Sized Salon" -- which premiered earlier this year on WE tv -- highlighted the staff and their customers. The new salon manager Jackee has started a GoFundMe to continue to grow Jamie's vision.

Sonya Eddy, known for her work on "General Hospital," has died ... according to her close friend Octavia Spencer.

Octavia shared the sad news on social media Tuesday ... telling the world her friend passed away the night before. She says, "The world lost another creative angel" ... noting her "legions" of fans will truly miss her. The cause of her death is unclear.

Sonya was truly a staple of "General Hospital" starting in 2006, appearing in 543 episodes of the long-running soap opera. Fans remember her playing Epiphany Johnson, a no-nonsense head nurse that was the mother of the late Stan Johnson, who got wrapped up in the mob.

Apart from the soap, Sonya's been working in the industry for decades -- starting in 1995 on "The Drew Carey Show," and going on to appear in projects like "Seinfeld," "Patch Adams," "Reba," "Monk," "Joan of Arcadia," "CSI," "Glee," "Castle," and "Fresh Off The Boat."

She was 55.

RIP

Tom Browning -- who played 12 seasons in the MLB -- died unexpectedly on Monday. He was 62 years old.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky says it received a call regarding a person not breathing in their home around 1 PM ... and upon arrival, officers found Browning unresponsive on the couch.

EMTs and responders attempted lifesaving measures for roughly 10 minutes before Browning was pronounced dead. Foul play is not suspected.

The lefty played most of his career with the Cincinnati Reds from 1984-94 ... before joining the Kansas City Royals in 1995.

He won a World Series with the Reds in 1990 ... securing a Game 3 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Browning -- whose career record is 123-90 with a 3.94 ERA -- also threw a perfect game in September 1988.

Hall of Famer, Barry Larkin shared his condolences just minutes ago ... saying, "RIP my friend Mr. Perfect Tom Browning."

"We shared some great times as well as the same birthdate 4/28. You will be missed."

'Cincy' also released a statement ... saying, "The entire Reds family is stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Browning."

"Affectionately referred to as 'Mr. Perfect,' Tom was a true Red who after his playing days made the Cincinnati area his home and remained heavily involved with the organization."

Jamie Lopez, the driving force behind Babydoll Beauty Couture and star of "Super Sized Salon" has died ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Lopez tell us she'd been hospitalized in Las Vegas and died over the weekend as a result of heart complications. A rep for BBC said in a statement, "We regretfully announce, with great pain, the passing of The Founder & Owner of Babydoll Beauty Couture, The Legendary Jamie Lopez. We ask, on behalf of the Babydoll family, that you allow us time to process this tremendous loss."

Lopez, who at one point weighed 846 lbs, designed her salon while confined to her bed -- too heavy to get up and see the world. The show followed her progress, including her 400 lb weight loss, and her first time walking inside the salon.

Babydoll Beauty Couture was founded to service plus-sized women ... and "Super Sized Salon" -- which premiered earlier this year on WE tv -- highlighted both the salon's staff and customers. We are told she was just about to begin filming for season 2.

Jamie was only 37.

Camille Grammer's mother, Maureen Wilson Donatacci, has died ... TMZ has learned.

Reps for the 'RHOBH' star tell us Maureen passed away Saturday morning at her New Jersey home while surrounded by family. We're told she succumbed to a long battle with cancer that she fought through courageously.

Both Camille and Maureen have been afflicted with genetic cancers, and each of them have been champions of the cause over the past decade. Maureen was diagnosed with several types of cancer throughout her life -- including ovarian, colon and most recently, bladder.

Maureen was incredibly important to Camille -- as the reality star would often throw up throwback photos of her mom for Mother's Day and other holidays to honor her.

Camille's mother also appeared in a handful of 'Real Housewives' episodes ... including during Camille's Hawaiian wedding to her David Meyer. The fact Maureen was able to make it at all was clearly special to her daughter ... and Mama Bear even got some camera time.

We're told funeral arrangements for Maureen are pending. She's survived by her two children, as well as her grandchildren.

Maureen was 75.

Stephen "tWitch" Boss mom is thanking family and friends for their prayers and love after her son's shocking death.

Connie Boss Alexander expressed her gratitude on social media, saying ... "Family and friends, thank you for all the love, prayers and encouragement. Please know I see all the messages, texts, posts and the phone calls."

In the Instagram story, it's clear tWitch's death has been difficult on his mother, she says ... "I can't use words right now. Please know I will reach out when I can. Please continue to keep us in prayer."

Later on, tWitch's mom ends with a heartfelt note to her late son ... "Stephen Laurel, your mother loves you to eternity and beyond."

TMZ broke the story ... the popular DJ and TV host was found dead Tuesday inside an Encino motel, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He left a suicide note, alluding to challenges he's faced in the past.

Louis Orr, former New York Knicks forward, Syracuse University star and Seton Hall head coach, passed away at the age of 64.

The cause of Orr's death is currently unclear ... but it was recently revealed the basketball player and coach was in hospice and not doing well.

Louie starred in the Cincinnati area as a high schooler before heading off to Syracuse where he played college basketball for four seasons under Jim Boeheim.

After Cuse, Orr entered the NBA Draft, where he was selected in the second round by the Pacers. Louis spent two seasons in Indiana.

Orr resumed his professional basketball career in New York, playing six seasons with the Knicks. Louis was teammates with Patrick Ewing ... whom he later coached with at Georgetown.

Orr averaged nearly 10 points and 4 rebounds a game over his NBA career.

Louis went into coaching in the early '90s, serving as an assistant coach with stops at Xavier, Providence and for JB at his alma mater, Syracuse.

After coaching one year at Sienna in New York, Orr was hired as the head man at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ ... replacing Tommy Amaker, who'd just bolted for Michigan, following a terribly disappointing season.

Orr brought back stability and respectability at SHU -- twice leading the Pirates to an NCAA tournament birth -- including during the 2003-2004 season when his team beat a stacked University of Arizona squad in the first round.

The basketball world is mourning the loss of Orr ... with former players, coaches and teammates expressing sorrow over the loss of not just a good coach, but a good man.

"So heartbroken with the news of Louis Orr's passing. My first Syracuse recruit n Knick player was as kind a person to play in the NBA - our thoughts and prayers are with his family," Rick Pitino wrote.

Despite having no ties to Mike Leach, the Miami Redhawks are still paying homage to the late coach in an awesome way -- putting huge decals featuring crossbones on the backs of their helmets on Friday.

The school unveiled the tribute at the Bahamas Bowl against the UAB Blazers ... showing off a big, black sticker that has Leach's name on it with a pirate-themed MAC logo.

Leach, of course, was nicknamed "The Pirate" due to his obsession with sea robbers ... and on the Miami decal, they added another tribute to that by putting the hashtag "#FlyTheFlag" at the bottom.

The ode is particularly meaningful considering Leach never coached at Miami -- nor in the MAC ... which shows just how far his coaching genius reached during his life.

As we previously reported, the former Mississippi State football head coach died on Monday ... due to complications from a heart condition.

Stephen "tWitch" Boss left at least one clue as to what his struggles were leading up to his suicide -- it came in a note alluding to challenges he's faced in the past ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us tWitch's note, left at the scene of his suicide, was an ambiguous reference to his past challenges. It's unclear exactly what he was referring to in the note.

We're told investigators have determined tWitch took an Uber from his home to the motel less than a mile from his home Monday morning, and switched his phone to airplane mode so no one could reach or track him.

TMZ broke the story, his wife, Allison Holker, was frantic when she showed up at an LAPD location Tuesday -- saying tWitch left home without notice and wasn't answering her calls.

As we first reported ... it was a motel staffer who discovered the popular DJ and TV host Tuesday inside his room, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In addressing her husband's death, Allison said, "Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him."

She continued, "He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans. To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt. I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory."