Celebrity Death

Our deep dive into Liam Payne’s tragic death is officially up on YouTube -- and now’s your chance to catch all the jaw-dropping details if you haven’t seen it yet.

'TMZ Investigates: Liam Payne: Who's to Blame?' takes you to Argentina, where TMZ hit the ground to uncover shocking new information behind the former One Direction star’s fatal fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

The doc features exclusive interviews with three suspects prosecutors want charged in connection with Liam’s death, along with a chilling, never-before-heard firsthand account from an eyewitness who was there for Liam’s final hours.

Actor David Hekili Kenui Bell -- who appeared in Disney’s live-action "Lilo & Stitch" -- has died ... his family confirms to TMZ.

David’s sister Jalene initially shared the heartbreaking news in a lengthy Facebook post Sunday, calling him "a generous, funny, brilliant, and handsome little brother" who gave her the unconditional love.

Jalene reflected on their bond and how just two weeks ago, he treated the family to the "Lilo & Stitch" opening night in Kapolei. His final outing with them was watching fans in full Stitch gear, sharing popcorn, and dreaming of shave ice after the film.

One of the doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry's ketamine death is one step closer to doing hard time ... because he just copped to a slew of crimes.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Dr. Salvador Plasencia -- one of 2 physicians busted in the Perry case -- has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine.

Federal prosecutors say they expect Dr. Plasencia to formally enter his plea in the coming weeks ... he's facing up to 40 years in federal prison, but both sides have agreed to recommend a sentence of 15 to 21 months, though it's ultimately up to the judge.

Ananda Lewis left her mark on the entertainment world in her short time on Earth ... a feat Bill Bellamy says he's fortunate to have witnessed in person!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the tenured comedian on Thursday, just as the reality of Ananda's death after a lengthy breast cancer battle had set in.

Ananda passed away yesterday and Bill says he always referred to Ananda as his "little sister," but certified she had a big aura.

Ananda Lewis, a popular host from the MTV "veejay" era in the late '90s ... died on Wednesday after a lengthy breast cancer battle.

The news was broken by her sister Lakshmi on Facebook, who celebrated the end of Ananda's suffering in an emotional post.

Lakshmi tells TMZ Hip Hop ... Ananda died from stage 4 breast cancer at 11:35 AM on Wednesday while in hospice at her Los Angeles home.

Lakshmi tell us she braved the diagnosis for 6 years and even tried out some conventional/some unconventional treatments ... choosing her own path.

We're told her family has heard from a lot of celebs already who want to speak on how Ananda influenced their careers and handled her interviews so well with them at her memorial, which will be in a few weeks.

Lakshmi tells us Ananda's 14-year-old son graduated middle school today ... a terribly bittersweet day.

"General Hospital" and "The Bold and the Beautiful" star Chris Robinson has died.

The actor passed peacefully in his sleep early Monday morning at his ranch near Sedona, Arizona, his collaborator and friend MJ Allen announced on Facebook. Allen said his official cause of death is heart failure, which he had been dealing with for "some time."

They notably worked together on what would be his final film credit -- 2022's "Just for a Week."

Sly Stone -- the frontman for the legendary funk band Sly and The Family Stone -- has died Monday ... TMZ has learned.

Stone died Monday in Los Angeles, and his family released a statement saying he died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other health issues.

His family said Sly "passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family," while taking "solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come."

Wayne Lewis -- an R&B singer best known for starting up the group Atlantic Starr -- has died ... according to a Facebook post put up by the band.

The band shared the announcement Friday ... letting fans know Wayne passed away Thursday.

They asked fans to respect his family's privacy at this time. A cause of death was not provided. We've reached out to the band for more information.

"Cheers" star George Wendt died from cardiac arrest, TMZ has learned.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released GW's death certificate Thursday.

The certificate lists George's immediate cause of death as cardiac arrest ... with congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as underlying causes.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus offered a full-throated mea culpa to the LGBTQ+ community on Thursday ... saying his department made a mistake by so quickly dismissing the hate crime allegation in the shooting death of Jonathan Joss.

The "King of the Hill" voice actor was shot to death Sunday night on his own property in the city, allegedly by neighbor Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez during a heated exchange ... but Joss' husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, called the shooting a homophobic hate crime. The next day ... police said in a statement there was no evidence of a hate crime.

Chief McManus told reporters on Thursday that the announcement was "way too premature" ... and he took full responsibility. In the same breath ... the chief reassured the LGBTQ+ community their safety was of the utmost importance to police.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry nearly changed their family name to Spencer -- the maiden name of his late mother, Princess Diana -- out of "sheer exasperation" from ongoing passport issues for their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex even went as far as asking Harry's uncle, Earl Spencer, for his blessing, according to a new report from The Guardian.

Earl was reportedly "enthusiastic and supportive" of the potential name change, though the parents of two ultimately did not make the move because they finally obtained UK passports for their little ones after about 6 months of waiting.

The late Richard Simmons' posh Hollywood Hills pad just hit the market -- and it can be yours for a cool $7 million.

Check out the listing photos ... the Los Angeles area mansion is polished and pristine ... welcoming potential buyers with a stately front portico and welcome hall that offers a view directly into its lush backyard.

The 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom home -- listed by John A. Lucy of Keller Williams Hollywood Hills -- boasts just over 4,000 square feet of living space on a half-acre lot that features a unique circular swimming pool and pool house.

Jonathan Joss, the "King of the Hill" voice actor shot and killed Sunday, was a deeply complicated man whose demons helped lead to his tragic fate, his ex-girlfriend tells TMZ.

Brandy Trejo, who dated Joss for 13 years during the height of his career, tells us … Joss was the most "self-destructive person" she ever met … and to her, it seemed like he couldn't stand it when something good happened to him.

What's more ... Brandy says she witnessed him drive his neighbors crazy for years with his outbursts and outlandish behavior ... so when she learned a neighbor allegedly killed him in an argument -- she was not shocked.

The man suspected of fatally shooting a "King of the Hill" voice actor in Texas is out of jail ... having posted bail days after he was arrested for murder in the national headline-making case.

San Antonio authorities tell TMZ ... Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez posted $200,000 bail, and will be required to wear an ankle monitor. Bexar County court records say he's been placed under house arrest, and he will undergo random drug and alcohol testing, and he's forbidden from possessing firearms during his detention.

Alvarez was arrested Sunday night after he allegedly shot and killed neighbor Jonathan Joss after the two men got into a heated exchange, according to police.

The Kobe and Gianna Bryant mural in downtown L.A. -- just restored last week following previous vandalism -- has been defaced again ... and now the artist tells TMZ Sports he's likely going to move the artwork to a new location.

The mural, located (at least for the time being) on the side of a building at 14th and Main in DTLA, was targeted by vandals on Tuesday evening ... and we have video of the aftermath, showing white spray paint scribbled across the artwork.

The damage comes just four days after the artist, Sloe Motions, fixed his mural after an earlier incident of vandalism ... the apparent result of a feud between rival street artists.

John Brenkus -- the host of the Emmy-award winning show "Sport Science" -- died by suicide last week, the Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner tells TMZ Sports.

Brenkus' family announced the passing to the public on Sunday -- writing in a statement on X that Brenkus "had been battling depression."

"John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025," they said. "His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help."