Celebrity Death

Guitar icon and legendary performer Rick Derringer died on Memorial Day -- and it's because his heart suddenly gave out, TMZ has learned.

Rick's longtime wife Jenda Derringer tells TMZ he died "peacefully" after being taken off life support Monday night following a medical episode.

His caretaker and close friend, Tony Wilson, tells us he had a triple bypass just two months ago but was doing well. He adds RD seemed totally fine over the weekend -- but on Monday night, as he was getting ready for bed and reaching for his favorite pillow, he went into what he described as some sort of shock and later died at the hospital in Ormond Beach, Florida.

"Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson is dead ... according to his daughter-in-law.

Korie Robertson -- Phil's son Willie's wife of more than 30 years -- posted the news to Facebook Sunday ... saying Phil was a man of God, who always tried to remind people that death only meant returning to God's kingdom.

She thanked fans for their thoughtful prayers ... and, she promises the family will continue to honor him and his legacy.

Daniel Williams was a "supportive and positive" soul who was celebrating his 14th anniversary on the day he died in a plane crash in San Diego ... this according to his fiancée.

Hannah Ray, longtime partner of The Devil Wears Prada Drummer, shared a loving message on Instagram about Daniel ... telling her followers that her life has fallen into shambles -- adding she can't imagine never seeing or touching Daniel again.

She calls Williams her best friend, partner and biggest fan ... adding they had the kind of love you may only find once in a lifetime.

The former drummer for the metal-core band The Devil Wears Prada was killed in a plane crash early Thursday morning in San Diego, TMZ has learned from his family.

Larry Williams tells TMZ ... his son, Daniel, was among the victims of the Cessna crash around 4 AM, which set part of a residential neighborhood of U.S. Navy-owned housing on fire. Several people on the ground were hurt in the fire and one home was destroyed.

Larry tells us the family is confident he was on the plane and they know there were no survivors -- but they have yet to get an official confirmation from authorities, which is making the entire situation even worse.

Georgia O'Connor -- an undefeated British boxer -- has died at the age of 25 ... months after revealing her cancer diagnosis and just three weeks after getting married.

O'Connor's promoter -- Boxxer -- announced her passing in a statement on Thursday ... calling her a "True warrior inside and outside the ring."

"The boxing community has lost a talented, courageous and determined young woman far too soon."

George Wendt, famous for his starring role in the long-running NBC sitcom "Cheers," is dead.

Family sources tell TMZ ... he died early Tuesday morning, passing peacefully in his sleep at his home.

The official cause of death is unclear.

George's family is remembering him as "a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him" ... and they say he will be missed forever.

11:20 AM PT -- TMZ obtained the coroner's report from the Parish of Natchitoches ... Latonya Pottain died from "acute on chronic congestive heart failure." No autopsy will be performed, since the death is considered due to natural causes. Pottain was taken from an inpatient medial rehab facility at the time of her death.

Latonya Pottain -- best known for being featured on the reality TV show "My 600-lb Life" -- has died of natural causes in Louisiana, TMZ has learned.

Pottain passed away Saturday night at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, LA, according to the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office. The coroner tells us the preliminary investigation found Pottain died from congestive heart failure.

Pottain's brother also told TMZ  ... family members visited Latonya at her home Saturday morning, and they noticed she was having trouble breathing. Her brother said Pottain told them she was extremely uncomfortable. On top of that, she didn't look well.

Natalia Bryant's all grown-up and leaving school behind for now ... 'cause she just graduated from USC's prestigious film department.

The daughter of Kobe and Vanessa Bryant walked across the stage in her cap and gown Saturday ... and, dozens of photographers were on-hand for her special moment.

One caught her walking with her entourage back to her car with her mom ... decked out in her all white gown and a bright red stole.

Jane Bright, a fan favorite from "Survivor: Nicaragua," is dead.

The reality TV show contestant was found dead in her home Thursday ... according to a social media post from her daughter, Ashley Hammett.

The cause of death is unclear.

Prolific movie actor Joe Don Baker has died at age 89 ... TMZ has learned.

The legendary actor, who appeared in a wide variety of films across decades, died on May 7, according to an obituary from his family Wednesday night. His cause of death was not disclosed.

The character actor grew up in Texas, and after serving in the U.S. Army, he moved to New York City to study acting. He first went into films in the 1960s ... going on to work in more than 50 movies.

"Okay Baby" social media star Preston Ordone's mother is sharing details surrounding the crash that ended her son's life ... and, she's maintaining his car seat was secured in place properly.

Katelynn Ordone shared more details about the accident last month ... starting by thanking everyone who has kept up their support for the family -- before revealing she and her husband, Jaelen, were so severely concussed in the Louisiana crash they remember nothing about it.

To determine exactly what happened, Katelynn says they hired an "independent accident reconstruction expert to thoroughly review the incident."

Adam Sandler shared a touching tribute to the late Hollywood legend Morris the Alligator after his passing this week ... pouring his heart out for his "Happy Gilmore" costar in an emotional social media post.

The actor and comedian said goodbye to the reptile Wednesday morning ... reflecting on the challenges of working with a live gator -- as well as the good times.

"You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers -- really anyone with arms or legs -- but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film," Sandler said.

Naomi Judd's song "Have Mercy" may have become her widower's anthem at least once ... 'cause he confirmed that she once fired a bullet at him.

The two-part Lifetime docuseries "The Judd Family: Truth Be Told" is rolling out this weekend ... and, in it, Naomi's widower -- Larry Strickland -- was asked about a story Judd put in her 1993 memoir "Love Can Build a Bridge."

In the memoir, Judd says she and Strickland -- who she married in 1989 -- were "wildly, madly, passionately in love" ... but, Strickland was never around because she claims in the book he was cheating on her.

Denise Alexander, best known for her role as Lesley Webber on "General Hospital" for years, has passed away.

The executive producer of "General Hospital," Frank Valentini, announced her death on Friday, remembering her as someone who "broke barriers on-screen and off."

He added ... "It meant so much to have her reprise her role in recent years and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with her."

The cause of death of John Elway's longtime agent and friend Jeff Sperbeck has been officially ruled as blunt head trauma, TMZ Sports has learned.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office told us Friday the Coroner’s Bureau made the determination just days after Sperbeck's April 30 passing ... adding the death has also been ruled an accident.

A final report in the case is expected to be released once toxicology results return.

The value of late One Direction singer Liam Payne's multimillion-dollar estate has been tallied up ... but since he died without a will, a UK court has determined Liam's baby mama will be in charge of overseeing his money and property.

Liam's former girlfriend & Girls Aloud member Cheryl Tweedy was appointed as one of the executors of his estate, The Guardian reports today ... and music industry attorney Richard Mark Bray was named co-administrator of the $32 million estate.

The estate's value in total was calculated at about $38M ... after debts and expenses are accounted for, the final value is estimated to be about $32M. Tweedy and Bray will be in charge of decisions regarding Liam's leftover money and possessions ... and will likely set up a trust for Liam and Cheryl's 8-year-old son, Bear.