Celebrity Death

Dave Ball -- one half of the 1980s New Wave pop group Soft Cell -- has died at age 66, according to the band's official website.

Ball was the synthesizer-keyboardist and Marc Almond was the singer of the group that recorded the iconic 1981 track "Tainted Love" … a massive hit, which was actually a cover.

Ball died in his sleep at home in London Wednesday. He'd recently played a show with Soft Cell, just weeks earlier … he was in a wheelchair at the time.

The group's website posted a statement and a series of tributes to Ball following his death.

KISS guitarist Ace Frehley passed away last week after a tragic fall ... and a New Jersey medical examiner is now investigating his death, TMZ has learned.

A rep for the Morris County Medical Examiner tells us an autopsy was not performed on Frehley ... but the rock legend is receiving a toxicology screening along with an external body examination. The rep also said Ace's cause of death will be finalized in the next few weeks after the toxicology report is completed.

We broke the story ... Ace was placed on life support after being hospitalized with a brain bleed. Ace suffered the bleed following a bad fall in the studio a couple of weeks prior.

Sam Rivers -- the bassist for the nu metal group Limp Bizkit -- died Saturday ... and now we have more of a clue as to what happened.

A spokesperson for the St. Johns County, Florida Fire Rescue tells TMZ ... they responded to a call Saturday for a "nonresponsive person in cardiac arrest."

The final cause of death is still unclear, but a rep for the St. Johns County Sheriff tells TMZ ... "Deputies responded to an attended death at that address." An "attended death" is one in which the deceased has been a patient under medical care for a serious or life-threatening illness that will likely lead to death in a relatively short period of time -- days or months, but not years.

Willie Robertson’s been knee-deep in filming "Duck Dynasty: The Revival" S2 -- and this time, he’s rolling without his late dad ... which he tells TMZ actually feels fitting, knowing the man himself.

We bumped into Willie Monday in NYC, and he told us straight up -- Phil probably wouldn’t have enjoyed being part of the show anyway ... the dude was never really into the cameras.

Catch the full clip ... Willie admits it was tough not having Phil there, but says the family takes comfort knowing he’s moved on to his "forever home."

Doug Martin's family is shedding more light on the ex-NFL star's death ... revealing the 36-year-old privately struggled with mental health issues over the years -- and they were actively trying to get him help prior to his passing.

Martin's former agency -- Athletes First -- shared a statement on behalf of the family on Monday ... which explained how Martin's parents had contacted local authorities earlier in the night for "medical assistance."

The family said Doug became "overwhelmed and disoriented" ... which led him to leave the home and enter a neighbor's residence two doors down the street, where he was then taken into custody.

Dr. Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist and chimpanzee expert, died earlier this month ... and TMZ has learned the cause.

According to the death certificate ... Goodall's cause of death is listed as cardiopulmonary arrest -- which is just another name for cardiac arrest, an incident where the heart simply stop beating.

Risk of cardiopulmonary arrest goes up as a person gets older ... so, this cause of death isn't totally surprising -- and, it's considered natural.

Sir Mo -- a former WWE tag team champion -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Gerald Horne -- Sir Mo's brother -- tells us the former wrestling star died Sunday night at a Texas hospital.

Sir Mo -- who's real name is Bobby Horne -- had been battling kidney issues for a long time, which lead to him being hospitalized for the past couple months.

Doug Martin -- a former running back who last played in the NFL in 2018 -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ Martin passed away Saturday morning ... though they did not share any further details.

Martin was a standout RB at Boise State for four years before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Jesus Montero -- an ex-Major League Baseball player with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees -- has died ... according to tribute post from the Yankees.

The team shared a photo of Montero to X Sunday morning ... writing, "The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesús Montero. We send our sincerest condolences to his family & loved ones."

The Seattle Times -- citing Venezuelan outlets -- reported earlier this month that Montero was driving a motorcycle in his home country when he was hit by a pickup truck. He was rushed to a hospital in the city of Valencia. Newsweek reported he was intubated at the hospital.

Sam Rivers -- the bassist for the rock-rap group Limp Bizkit -- has died ... according to an official statement posted to the band's Instagram.

The group announced the news Saturday evening ... revealing Sam passed away earlier in the day and calling him their "heartbeat."

Sam wasn't just a bass player, the group say -- he "was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound."

Paul Stanley's back out in the world after the death of his longtime friend and bandmate, Ace Frehley ... running errands in Beverly Hills days after his passing.

The singer-songwriter stepped out on Saturday, holding a FedEx package under his arm while wearing a button-down black shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans.

Stanley kept a pretty neutral expression as he went about his errands ... though he expressed heartfelt condolences earlier this week at the passing KISS' former guitarist.

KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was riding high on optimism earlier this year ... thanks to a psychic who swore he’d be shredding till he hit the big 1-0-0.

Back in March this year, Ace was all smiles talking about his comeback following a nasty arm injury ... in an interview with New Jersey newspaper The Aquarian, he said, "I just spoke to a psychic. She goes, 'Ace, you’re going to live to be a hundred.' So I said, 'No problem!'"

In the interview, Ace also gave props to his family tree ... bragging about the great genes that kept his dad going to 96, his mom to 86, and his sister to 99 ... so he was clearly thrilled to be following suit.

Sarah Paulson is still mourning the sudden loss of Hollywood icon Diane Keaton ... she was nearly brought to tears fielding questions about Keaton's legacy.

Paulson told Access Hollywood Thursday ... "She was a very dear friend of mine, so it's not something I'm able to talk about yet."

While the pain is still raw for Paulson, she did muster up the courage to offer one special detail about the late Oscar winner ... "What you thought she was as a performer ... she was even more spectacular as a human being. And I was the luckiest person in the world to have had her in my life they way that I did."

KISS along with OG members Peter Criss and Paul Stanley are remembering Ace Frehley, the band's original lead guitarist, following his heartbreaking death Thursday.

Check out Peter's touching tribute shared on his website -- he confirmed he was with his "brother" along with his wife and Ace's family when he died peacefully in a hospital, where he had been on life support after suffering a brain bleed.

He also applauded Ace's legendary career, writing ... "As a founding member of the rock group KISS and in Ace's solo career, Ace influenced and touched the hearts of millions of people. His legacy will live on in the music industry and in the hearts of the KISS Army."

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist for KISS, is dead ... TMZ has confirmed.

The legendary musician died Thursday after being hospitalized, and placed on life support ... with the family coming to the difficult decision to turn off his ventilator.

We broke the story ... Ace suffered a brain bleed after taking a nasty fall in studio a couple of weeks ago.

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist for KISS, died after being taken off a ventilator following a nasty fall and a brain bleed ... and tributes are pouring in from tons of rockers, including his KISS bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.

In a statement to TMZ, Gene and Paul say ... "We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS's legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world."

Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick says "Ace’s passing is devastating to the world of rock. It has deeply affected me as well. He was one of a kind and truly an iconic guitar player. His undeniable role in the creation and success of KISS cannot be forgotten.  Not only was he loved by all, he influenced millions of guitarists around the world."