Celebrity Death

Lenny Wilkens -- a Hall of Fame basketball player and coach -- has died ... the NBA confirmed in a statement Sunday.

Wilkens reportedly passed away while surrounded by loved ones ... though the family has not revealed a cause of death at this time.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Wilkens "one of the game's respected ambassadors" ... adding his on-court contributions were incredible -- yet paled in comparison to his influence on the community of Seattle.

The Dallas Cowboys are paying tribute to Marshawn Kneeland after he tragically passed away on Thursday ... leaving flower bouquets at his locker.

Cowboys cornerback Josh Butler shared an Instagram photo on Friday that shows the current state of Kneeland's spot in the team facility.

"Love you dawg," Butler wrote.

Lee Tamahori -- a well-respected director with decades in the film industry -- has died ... his family revealed to New Zealand's public broadcasting company on Friday.

Tamahori passed away after a battle with Parkinson's Disease, his family told RNZ ... adding, "His legacy endures with his whānau, his mokopuna, every filmmaker he inspired, every boundary he broke, and every story he told with his genius eye and honest heart."

Tamahori rose to international prominence after the release of his 1994 film "Once Were Warriors" ... a film which followed a family as they struggled with the detrimental effects of European countries colonizing New Zealand.

Dak Prescott opened up on the death of his teammate, Marshawn Kneeland, on Thursday ... saying he wishes the 24-year-old "didn't have to go through what he went through."

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback addressed the tragedy at a field dedication ceremony at his alma mater, Haughton High School in Louisiana ... admitting it was a "very tough day" for him.

"Tragic loss," Prescott said. "I hurt. Heavy, heavy heart today. I hurt for Marshawn, I hurt for his family, I hurt for his girlfriend. I hurt for every single one of my teammates. It's just a pain that you don't wish upon anybody. You wish none of us had to go through this."

British actress Pauline Collins -- known for her Oscar-nominated starring role in "Shirley Valentine" -- has reportedly died.

According to Express, Pauline's family confirmed her death in a statement ... "Pauline was so many things to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her illustrious career saw her play politicians, mothers and queens. She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine – a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them."

They continued ... "More than anything, though, she was our loving mum, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma. Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us. And she was John's life-long love. A partner, work collaborator, and wife of 56 years."

TMZ Sports has obtained police dispatch audio connected to Marshawn Kneeland's death ... which reveals the Dallas Cowboys player told his family goodbye in an apparent mental health episode.

The clip is from late Wednesday night -- operators in Texas are heard relaying information from Kneeland's girlfriend, who stated she received a concerning message from the 24-year-old and was trying to contact the defensive end's agent.

The girlfriend said Kneeland was armed and had a history of mental issues ... and she was quoted saying he would "end it all."

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died ... the team announced Thursday. He was 24 years old.

"It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning," the team said in a statement.

"Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family."

Sarah Paulson says Diane Keaton pulled a move fitting of "The Godfather" himself ... always taking care of the little people working in the restaurants she patronized over the years.

Paulson remembered her late friend during an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live" after Andy Cohen asked her to share her favorite memory of Diane.

The actress takes a minute to think in the clip -- admitting she didn't realize Andy wanted to ask her about Diane -- before revealing she went to more dinners than she could count with Keaton ... who would always ask to go into the kitchen after a meal.

Keith Browner Sr., a standout football player at the University of Southern California who went on to play 5 seasons in the NFL, is dead ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Keith died Tuesday morning in San Leandro, CA ... according to his son, Keith Browner Jr.

We're told Keith's death was unexpected and sudden ... and the family is shocked.

Former President George W. Bush has released a statement honoring the life of his Vice President and friend, Dick Cheney.

George W. called the politician's passing "a loss to the nation and a sorrow to his friends."

He wrote, "History will remember him as among the finest public servants of his generation -- a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position he held."

A murder investigation has reportedly been launched after Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Malaysia last month.

According to local media reports, Iris' body was discovered around 1:40 PM local time on October 22 in Kuala Lumpur. The incident was initially considered a "sudden death report" ... but now New Straits Times reports that Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Fadil Marsus says it's being handled as a murder case.

The last person Iris was reportedly seen with was Malaysian rapper Namewee, 42, who was allegedly in the same room as Iris when she passed away.

Rapper Young Bleed has passed away following complications from a brain aneurysm.

His son, Ty'Gee Ramon, took to Instagram Monday to announce the "unreal" news that his father "gained his wings" on Saturday ... and remember his father and his legacy, which he said he plans to continue.

Ty'Gee, the eldest child of Young Bleed, said his father never dealt with "real health issues" but confirmed he had high blood pressure and would take medicine routinely. He explained his fatal health scare that landed him in the hospital as "a natural thing."

Dick Cheney -- the 46th vice president who served alongside Republican President George W. Bush and an architect in America's ''War on Terror'' -- has died.

He died of complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family said in a statement.

Cheney grappled with ongoing cardiovascular problems for the majority of adulthood and underwent a heart transplant in 2012.

D’Angelo was laid to rest over the weekend on November 1 ... and the late soul-singing legend's send-off was fit for the Grammy Awards!!!

According to the funeral service bulletin, Stevie Wonder -- in addition to D’Angelo’s former bands The Soultronics and The Vanguard -- all performed musical tributes inside Saint Paul's Baptist Church in Henrico, VA.

The Vanguard won a Best R&B Album Grammy alongside D'Angelo for their 2014 wonder "The Black Messiah" ... and The Soultronics were D'Angelo's earlier pro band -- spearheaded by both Questlove and James Poyser.

Academy Award-nominated actress Diane Ladd -- actress Laura Dern's mother -- has died at the age of 89.

Ladd, known best for her roles in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and David Lynch's "Wild at Heart," died Monday at her home in Ojai, California, according to a statement from Laura Dern published by The Hollywood Reporter.

Ladd began her career on TV, appearing in various roles beginning in the 1950s, including "The Naked City" and "The Fugitive." She had minor film parts before her career on the silver screen kicked off in the '70s, acting in "White Lightning," "Chinatown," and "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore."

Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay -- the powerhouse vocalist who sang with California psychedelic rock band Grateful Dead -- has died at 78.

The singer died Sunday at Nashville’s Alive Hospital following a long battle with cancer. Her family said in a statement ... "She was a sweet and warmly beautiful spirit, and all those who knew her are united in loss."