Celebrity Death

Michael Lerner -- famous for roles in 'Elf,' 'Barton Fink,' 'Godzilla' and tons of other shows and movies -- has died ... this according to his family.

The actor's nephew, Sam Lerner, broke the sad news Sunday -- taking to IG with a lengthy caption about his uncle, writing ... "We lost a legend last night. It’s hard to put into words how brilliant my uncle Michael was, and how influential he was to me."

Sam adds, "His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting. He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special. Everyone that knows him knows how insane he was— in the best way. I’m so lucky I got to spend so much time with him, and we’re all lucky we can continue to watch his work for the rest of time."

He ends with ... "RIP Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon." The exact circumstances surrounding his death are unclear.

Michael will, perhaps, be best remembered for his standout role in the 2003 Will Ferrell comedy -- where he played James Caan's hard-ass boss, Fulton, who was demanding a grade-A children's book. Of course, he's had way more credits before that came along.

Aside from the aforementioned flicks, ML's been in movies such as 'Blank Check,' 'Newsies,' 'Harlem Nights,' 'For Richer or Poorer,' 'The Mod Squad,' 'Celebrity,' 'A Serious Man,' and lots of others. His TV credits are equally impressive, with appearances dating back to the '70s.

Some of the biggest shows he's been a part of include ... 'The Brady Bunch,' 'The Good Guys,' 'Ironside,' 'MASH,' 'The Odd Couple,' 'Starsky and Hutch,' 'The Rockford Files,' 'Barnaby Jones,' 'Hill Street Blues,' 'Melba,' 'Tales from the Crypt,' 'Courthouse,' 'Clueless,' 'Kingdom Hospital,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Matumbo Goldberg,' 'Glee,' and many, many more.

He's survived by his famous brother, Ken, and his extended family. Michael was 81.

Brad Fischetti, the last living member of LFO, says he's not scared by the fact death seems to come early to those involved with the band ... he's alive and well, and touring in their honor.

Brad tells TMZ ... he was shocked and dumbfounded at the end of March, when original LFO member Brian "Brizz" Gillis suddenly died, leaving Brad as the last surviving member.

Lots of folks didn't even know Brian was in LFO ... and some thought it was really Brad who passed. Brian was LFO's third member when the band started, but he left before Devin Lima joined the group in 1999, the same year "Summer Girls" became a huge hit.

Remember ... Devin was only 41 when he died back in November 2018, and Rich Cronin was just 36 when he died in September 2010 ... with cancer taking both their lives. Brian's cause of death is still unclear.

Brad says it's not just LFO band members who have died young ... he says their OG record label head, keyboard player, choreographer and a producer they worked with are all dead too.

Still, Brad says he hopes there's not a death curse on LFO. He hopes he lives a long life and tells us he's got no plans to stop touring, viewing it as a way to carry on LFO's legacy.

Paul Cattermole, one of the members of the hugely popular S Club 7 music group has died ... the group announced.

In a shocking statement Friday, the band announced, "We are truly devastated by the passing of our brother Paul. There are no words to describe the deep sadness and loss we all feel. We were so lucky to have had him in our lives and are thankful for the amazing memories we have."

They continue, "He will be so deeply missed by each and every one of us. We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and of the band at this time."

At this time, Paul's cause of death is unclear, though local reports state there were "no suspicious circumstances" surrounding his death. Paul was just photographed earlier this week on a walk, where he looked to be in relatively good health.

S Club 7 was an English pop group created by Simon Fuller back in 1998 with Cattermole, Jon Lee, Tina Barrett, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O'Meara, Hannah Spearritt and Rachel Stevens.

The group had four UK #1 singles -- including "S Club Party" and "Bring It All Back" ... their song "Never Had a Dream Come True" made it to the Top 10 in the U.S.

Dramatic new video shows the shocking moment Cash App founder Bob Lee collapsed in front of a San Francisco building and desperately tried to flag down a passing car while dialing 911 -- after he was brutally stabbed.

Check out the surveillance footage, obtained by the Daily Mail, depicting a badly injured Lee staggering up to the apartment building early Tuesday morning before he dropped to the ground. Not another person was in sight.

At first, Lee seemed motionless -- as if on the brink of death -- but then he got to his knees and called police using a cell phone in his bloody hands. He allegedly told the 911 operator, "Help. Someone stabbed me."

Suddenly, Lee propped up and waved at what appeared to be a passing vehicle. He then struggled to his feet and clutched the stab wounds to his torso as he walked off, presumably to get help.

In another part of the video, Lee approached a car that had stopped at an intersection. Although it's hard to see what happened next, Lee reportedly lifted his shirt, revealing his injuries to the driver as he begged for assistance. But, the motorist inexplicably sped away, leaving Lee alone in the middle of the empty street.

First responders arrived on scene and provided medical treatment to Lee, who later died at the hospital.

The unknown assailant fled and was still at large as of this morning.

At a press conference Wednesday night, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott declined to give a motive or say if the attack was random or targeted.

Cops reportedly recovered a kitchen knife with a 4-inch blade in a parking lot near the crime scene.

Elon Musk and other high-profile tech execs were outraged by the murder, and some took to social media to air their grievances to San Francisco officials over what they view as a rise in violent crime in the city.

One of the 4 men accused of killing Pop Smoke has pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery ... and he'll now be incarcerated for several years.

Judge J. Christopher Smith sentenced the now 20-year-old defendant to 4 years and 2 months in a juvenile treatment facility on Thursday after the man pled guilty to entering the Hollywood Hills mansion to rob the late rapper before things ended in bloodshed.

The L.A. Times reports the judge refused to reduce his sentence by 2 years and 8 months -- the time he's already spent behind bars -- and warned the man he could remain in juvenile custody until he was 25.

His attorney previously argued his client suffered from a learning disability that made him incapable to stand trial.

Pop Smoke was shot and killed in February 2020 after a home invasion inside of a Hollywood Hills mansion erupted in gunfire. As we reported, it was a tough case to crack ... police caught no breaks during a lengthy investigation.

XXXTentacion's killers will spend the rest of their lives behind bars, and as far as the rapper's mother is concerned ... they better sleep with one eye open, as they'll be massive targets.

Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome and Dedrick Williams each received sentences of life without parole Thursday for their roles in the 2018 robbery and shooting death of XXX.

XXX's mom, Cleopatra, tells us she believes the sentence was more than appropriate given her son was murdered at just 20 years old. She says Boatwright taunted her throughout the trial by blowing kisses. She hopes "Buttright (not a typo) will now get the kiss he wants so bad."

She also has a message for Newsome and Williams ... "My hope for these other gentlemen is they will retain a firm grasp on the slippery soap."

It's very clear, Cleopatra believes the men will be targets, and you can't blame her for her anger toward them ... especially given the circumstances surrounding the crime.

TMZ broke the story, XXX was ambushed in his vehicle in broad daylight outside of a South Florida auto shop, shooting him and stealing a Louis Vuitton bag and $50,000 in cash.

Coolio's cause of death has been revealed, and it's one that continues to plague not only the entertainment industry, but the country as a whole ... fentanyl.

Family spokesperson, Jarel (Jarez) Posey tells TMZ ... Coolio's loved ones just got the news from the coroner -- fentanyl killed the rapper -- and he also had traces of heroin and methamphetamines in his system.

Jarez tells us investigators determined Coolio's severe asthma and decades-long use of cigarettes also played a factor in his death and his body's inability to fight back.

Despite the grim news, Jarez tells us Coolio's kids -- Brandi, Jackie, Melan, Christopher, Artis III, Darius and Artisha -- will remember their dad for the great man he was ... and the public should know how much they loved him, and how he conquered the world both on the stage and when he wasn't performing.

We're told Coolio's family has plans to honor their dad through documentaries and film ... and continue the legacy that was his music.

TMZ broke the story ... Coolio was found dead at his friend's house in Los Angeles in September. At the time, Jarez, told us paramedics suspected he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Law enforcement sources told us no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene.

The world was shaken by the news of Coolio's death -- including his close pal Vanilla Ice, who last performed with the legend just days before his passing.

FYI, Ice got pretty emotional recalling the last time he had a heart-to-heart with the fellow artist ... adding that he even pushed pause on his tour following the rapper's death.

Coolio's family made a headstone so they could have a physical place to go and remember him ... enlisting Cemetery Tim -- who has also done headstones for Nate Dogg, Eazy E and Anthony Johnson -- to make the custom piece.

The 3 men convicted of murdering XXXTentacion just learned their fate ... with the judge sentencing them to life in prison.

The men -- Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, and Dedrick Williams -- were previously found guilty of murder in the fatal 2018 shooting.

Robert Allen, the fourth man arrested for the murder, pled guilty to second-degree murder ... he has not yet been sentenced

Remember ... XXX was just 20 years old when he was shot and killed in June 2018 at a South Florida motorcycle dealership, in what prosecutors say was a robbery. The killers were accused of shooting the rapper as he sat in his vehicle, then running off with a Louis Vuitton bag and $50,000 in cash.

A Florida jury also convicted the three men of armed robbery ... with the verdict coming down last month, following 8 days of deliberations.

During the trial, prosecutors linked XXXTentacion's killers to the slaying through surveillance video from inside and outside Riva Motorsports, plus cell phone videos the men recorded showing them flashing $100 bills shortly after the shooting.

XXX's death shocked the rap community, and to this day tons of fans still mourn his loss.

Lance Reddick's cause of death has been revealed as heart disease ... according to the late actor's death certificate.

The document, obtained by TMZ, lists Reddick's immediate cause of death as Ischemic Heart Disease as well as Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease. The death cert also states Reddick was to be cremated.

TMZ broke the story ... Reddick, best known for his role in "The Wire" and the 'John Wick' movie franchise, was found dead at his Studio City home on March 17. At the time, law enforcement sources said his death appeared to be of natural causes.

We know Lance's wife, Stephanie, was the one who dialed 911 after finding him collapsed in the backyard.

Just before he died, Lance was doing a press tour for the "John Wick: Chapter 4" film ... and he even had an appearance scheduled on Kelly Clarkson's show for the week after he passed away.

Lance posted a selfie video just days before his sudden death at home with his pups, raising questions as to why he wasn't attending the 'Wick 4' premiere in New York City.

Lance's castmates honored him by wearing blue ribbons to the movie's premiere in Los Angeles, and Keanu Reeves shared some touching words about his friend.

Outside of 'John Wick,' Lance was also famous for his work in HBO's "The Wire" where he played Baltimore Police Department officer Cedrick Daniels in all 5 seasons of the show.

Throughout his career he racked up a ton of credits including shows like "Fringe," "Bosch," "Oz" and "Lost" ... he also appeared in films such as "Angel Has Fallen" and "Godzilla Vs. Kong."

Lance was 60.

The man whom prosecutors claim caused Michael K. Williams' death by giving him dirty drugs has pled guilty in a plea deal ... and could see serious prison time.

39-year-old Irvin Cartagena pleaded guilty Wednesday in NYC to one count of conspiring to distribute drugs in connection to the late actor's fatal overdose from 2021. He now faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison ... and could even see as many as 40.

Cartagena was facing additional charges and potentially life in prison ... but ultimately pled guilty to just one.

Federal prosecutors slammed Cartagena after securing the guilty plea -- as well as others who were arrested -- by saying the sale of fentanyl-laced heroin brazenly happened in broad daylight ... and that Cartagena and co. were preying on victims like Williams in Brooklyn.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams also claimed that the dealers continued to peddle drugs on the streets without a second thought ... even after Williams died. A second defendant who was also arrested and charged last year reportedly pled guilty too.

As we reported ... Williams' body was found in his home, and his official cause of death ended up being an accidental overdose. His passing came as a shock to Hollywood. The actor was mostly known for his portrayal of Omar Little on "The Wire" -- but his work went well beyond that, and he was acclaimed for his craft. He had publicly battled drug addiction.

Soccer journalist Grant Wahl was honored with a few touching tributes in the newest episode of "Ted Lasso" -- nearly four months after he died while covering the World Cup in Qatar.

The show, which follows Ted Lasso's fictional journey from American football coach to successful European soccer coach, paid tribute to Wahl by having one of its main characters hold a copy of Grant's book, "The Beckham Experiment."

In the scene, Coach Beard -- played by star actor Brendan Hunt -- carries the Wahl-penned literature in the palm of his hand ... making sure its perfectly placed so cameras can see its full title.

Wahl's name was also included in the show's closing credits.

As you may know, Wahl and Jason Sudeikis, who plays Lasso in the show, were close friends, with each holding a connection to the Kansas City area. In fact, Sudeikis actually appeared on Wahl's podcast with Hunt before his death.

Wahl had also written a blog in October 2022 just before his passing, detailing a trip to Richmond, England -- which, of course, is the home to the show's fictional AFC Richmond squad.

Wahl said in his blog that Hunt had brought him to The Prince's Head -- the real-life bar in the show -- where they shared a beer outside.

As we reported, Wahl died in December after suffering a medical emergency inside a press box at the World Cup. His wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, later revealed a ruptured aortic aneurysm was what killed him.

He was just 49 years old.

Judy Farrell, best known for playing Nurse Able in the hit TV show, "M*A*S*H," has died, TMZ has learned.

Judy's son, Michael, tells us she passed away in a hospital on Sunday after suffering a stroke nine days earlier. We're told while she was in the hospital, Judy was consciously alert and able to squeeze the hands of her loved ones, but couldn't speak due to the stroke.

In her role as Nurse Able, Judy appeared in 8 episodes of "M*A*S*H," also starring Alan Alda as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce. Her first husband, Mike Farrell, landed the part of Captain B.J. Hunnicutt in the '70s-'80s sitcom.

Judy also made several guest appearances in TV classics such as "Get Smart," "The Partridge Family," and "Quincy, M.E." She also had roles in the films "J.W. Coop" (1971), "Chapter Two" (1979), and "Long-Term Relationship" (2006).

After divorcing her first husband in 1983, Judy married Joe Bratcher two years later. She is survived by Bratcher and her two children, Michael and Erin.

Judy was 84.

Aaron Carter's estate is trying to sell his L.A. County home, and TMZ has learned one important note for potential buyers ... the bathroom where the singer died is undergoing renovations.

Listing agent Christie M. Limpus of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices tells TMZ … Aaron's 4,131 square foot house in Lancaster, CA is back on the market, this time for just under $850K.

Aaron listed the home last year, about 1 month before his death, for $779,900 ... and it was put back up for sale last week.

The money made on the house will go to Aaron's estate, and into a trust for his 1-year-old son, Prince.

The 7-bedroom, 4-bath house will come with a full remodel of the bathroom where the late singer's housekeeper found him dead last November. We're told the place is still being shown during the renovations.

Christie says 5 prospective buyers have already toured the house since it came back on the market, and she believes it'll go into escrow very soon for the asking price.

Raquel Welch suffered a cardiac arrest ... according to her death certificate.

The document, obtained by TMZ, also says one of the underlying causes of her death was Alzheimer's disease. The actress had not publicly revealed she was battling Alzheimer's.

We broke the story ... Raquel died Feb. 15 at her home in Los Angeles after what her family described as a "brief illness." The death certificate says she passed away at 2:25 AM, and she's since been cremated.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 90% of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, typically within minutes.

82-year-old Raquel's long and successful Hollywood career is noted on the certificate ... the doc says she spent 60 years as an actress in the entertainment industry.

The Wayans family patriarch, Howell Wayans, has died ... and his children are paying tribute.

Marlon Wayans confirmed the sad news Saturday with a touching post. He threw up a pic of him and Howell together, with the latter kissing his son on the head. MW writes, "Legend. When i was a child I asked my Dad what did you want to be when grew up? He simply said 'I wanted to be a man' I said 'not a lawyer? A doctor? An actor?' He said 'just a man.'"

He continued to explain how Howell told not everyone grows up to be a man, elaborating on what it takes to become that ... including owning up to one's responsibilities and taking care of one's family. Marlon says that convo with Howell made him aspire to be just that.

Marlon had more to say about the passing of his father, adding ... "Thank you Pop for being an example of a Man to all your boys. I pray all young black boys can grow up to be a Man like you. Baby boy loves you. And if ever i need you i know exactly where to find you… in my Bible that now sits by bed. Rest well. Kiss Ma for me. Tell her her babies miss her."

Omar Epps, a famous actor friend of the family, also sent condolences ... and praised Howell as a second father figure in his life, who took him under his wing as one of his own.

Howell raised 10 of his children in NYC alongside his late wife, Elvira, who died three years ago. That includes several who went on to be incredibly successful in showbiz ... Marlon, Shawn, Damon, Kim and Keenen. Just about all of the siblings have touched entertainment in one way or another ... and have all enjoyed successful careers in their own right.

Howell has been described by his loved ones as a disciplinarian and a hard worker who instilled core tenets and values in all of his kids. He was supportive of their aspirations for comedy, acting and writing ... and it clearly paid off, as the Wayans are a household name.

He's survived by his children and many grandchildren. Howell was 86.

RIP

Juicy J is turning his pain from losing his fallen Three 6 Mafia comrade Gangsta Boo into new music ... TMZ Hip Hop has learned.

The Memphis rap legend is preparing to release his latest mixtape "Mental Trillness" on Friday ... and fans will be delighted to know it samples the late GB's classic track “Where Dem Dollas At” on the Finesse2Tymes-featured "Work Out."

GB's voice pops again on the track “Follow Home Robbers,” where her verse from her 2014 song "Come Off Dat" song is used to complete the record.

Juicy, DJ Paul, Crunchy Black, and the rest of the Three 6 crew have been in mourning since GB's death on New Year's Day -- due to a purported drug overdose -- and he's now using his music to prevent fans from experiencing their own downfalls.

Juicy created the “Mental Trillness" mantra for listeners who are fighting "frustration, depression, confusion, drug abuse, relationship problems" etc. in an effort to get them closer to the healing stage.

He's already dropped off the single "No Rapper" alongside newcomers Aleza, Slimeroni, K Carbon and there's 17 more tracks to follow ... with contributions from the likes of La Chat, Hittkidd, Gilbere Forté, Xavier Wulf and more!!!