Celebrity Death

Patricia Heaton -- who played the mom in the hit comedy show "The Middle" -- is paying tribute to her late co-star Pat Finn, after the devastating news of his passing.

As you know ... "The Middle" star Pat Finn died Monday after a long battle with cancer. Patricia took to Instagram to post a solemn statement about Pat, stating that, "One of the finest and funniest human beings I know has left to be with Jesus."

She continues to say ... "Pat Finn, whom most of you know as Bill Norwood on The Middle had been battling cancer the last few years. At the too-young age of 60, he leaves behind his sweetheart Donna and three children."

Heaton shares ... "He was adored by all who knew him, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship, and wonderful comedy." Then mentions their 2023 movie “Unexpected“ where Pat graced the film with a "scene-stealing turn as a crazy psychiatrist."

"The Middle" star Pat Finn died Monday after a battle with cancer ... and celebrities are reacting to the sudden loss of the comedian and actor.

Tributes poured in Wednesday with comedian Dane Cook offering condolences to Finn's family and calling him a genuinely funny and good guy.

"Modern Family" star Eric Stonestreet, wrote, "To say Pat was beloved is a gross understatement. No ONE and I mean NO ONE jumped quicker and more head first into a bit with you than Pat Finn. He was the definition of what an improviser is and also the definition of what a good guy is. Please keep his entire family and all of his close pals in your thoughts."

Veteran comedic actor Pat Finn -- who starred in sitcoms like "The Middle" and "The George Wendt Show" -- is dead from a cancer battle ... TMZ has confirmed.

Family sources tell us Pat passed away Monday evening at his home in Los Angeles, and he was surrounded by his family.

Pat came up in Hollywood around the same time as his good friend Chris Farley. He and Chris attended Marquette University in 1987, played rugby together there ... and were roommates in Chicago when they both joined the Second City comedy troupe.

The surviving loved ones of Rob and Michele Reiner have a little more closure today ... the couple's death certificates have been released.

TMZ obtained the late couple's certificates from the Los Angeles County Public Health Dept. ... while they list some information already publicly known -- multiple sharp force injuries as their causes of death -- the gravity of the documents is still heavy.

They were both cremated at Mount Sinai Mortuary. Their final resting place is the home of their son, Jake.

11:11 AM PT -- TMZ has obtained the dispatch audio in connection to James's death.

James Ransone’s wife is speaking out for the first time following his tragic death ... paying homage to her late husband in an emotional tribute on social media.

Jamie McPhee took to Instagram to share a throwback photo of her and James smiling with their arms wrapped around one another, with James resting his hand on her baby bump. The couple share two children together.

In her caption, Jamie writes ... "I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again. You told me - I need to be more like you and you need to be more like me - and you were so right."

She continues ... "Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts - you, Jack and Violet. We are forever."

Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner Singer's loved ones are relying on one another in the aftermath of their tragic deaths ... gathering just one week after their tragic deaths.

Rob's sister Annie's house was buzzing with activity Sunday ... as Rob's younger brother Lucas also arrived to the house.

Annie was spotted out on the street ... speaking to someone in a car while wearing an all-black sweater and matching pants. Despite the difficult circumstances, she put on a brave face and fave a wave to guests.

Investigators are still looking into the plane crash that claimed NASCAR legend Greg Biffle's life ... and, new video shows them looking for clues in the wreckage.

The National Transportation Safety Board released video of agents combing through the debris ... taking photos of the plane and looking in the woods surrounding the crash area.

The plane's a wreck ... broken into pieces both large and small and burned to a crisp in places. It's unclear what investigators might be able to glean from the crash site.

Lamarr Wilson, a beloved tech influencer, unexpectedly died last month when he committed suicide.

Wilson, known by millions of fans as the "Tech Lifestyle Entertainer,” took his own life by asphyxiation, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reports. He died at a residence on Friday, Nov. 21, with his family confirming the sad news on Facebook on Dec. 13.

The content creator made a name for himself in the tech lifestyle space, joyfully unboxing and reviewing phones, computers, gaming systems and more for more than 3 million followers across his YouTube, Instagram and TikTok pages.

Mike Campbell -- former Seattle Mariners pitcher and 1st-round draft pick -- has died.

The team announced the sad news on social media, saying ... "We are saddened by the passing of Seattle native and former Mariners pitcher Mike Campbell. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones." He reportedly died Monday at his home in Kirkland, Washington. His cause of death is still pending.

Campbell made his major-league debut in 1987 after the Mariners brought him on as their No. 1 draft pick. He pitched for them for parts of the next 3 seasons, but was then traded to the Montreal Expos as part of the deal to bring on Hall of Famer Randy Johnson to the team.

The plane carrying NASCAR great Greg Biffle, his family, and friends impacted trees, approach lights, and an airport fence, leaving a 1,800-foot trail of wreckage, and tragically killing everyone on board ... the National Transportation Safety Board announced.

The NTSB, which arrived on the scene Thursday night, held a press briefing this afternoon, just over 24 hours after the crash ... as details surrounding the 10-minute flight, and fatal crash, come into focus.

Dan Baker, the investigator in charge, provided info about the flight's final moments.

Rob Reiner's and Michele Singer Reiner's bodies have been released from the L.A. County Medical Examiner's custody ... TMZ has learned.

A source with knowledge tells TMZ ... the Reiners' bodies have been released to the family. Details on a service will be released at a later time.

As you know ... Rob and Michele were found dead in their Brentwood home Sunday and their son Nick Reiner has been arrested and charged with their murders.

Nick Reiner was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and in the weeks leading up to the murder of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, the meds he was taking made him "erratic and dangerous" ... TMZ has learned.

Two sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Nick was under the care of a psychiatrist for mental illness. We're told in the month before the murders, Nick's behavior had gotten "alarming."

He had recently received care at a Los Angeles-based rehab facility that specializes in mental illness and substance abuse. We're told the facility charges $70,000 a month ... and lots of rich, powerful parents send their troubled kids there.

Our sources say 3 to 4 weeks before the murders, doctors changed his meds and he became even more erratic. Our sources say doctors were trying to adjust the medications so Nick stabilized, but it wasn't working.

JB Smoove is reflecting on Rob Reiner's life and work ... saying they’d been planning to link up for a while, but now JB's left with a meetup that never happened, and a moment he’ll always regret.

TMZ caught up with JB at LAX Thursday, and he tells us Rob had veganism on the brain and was planning to hit him up for advice ... but sadly, that conversation never got the chance to happen in person.

You gotta catch the clip -- JB also reflects on how Rob basically saved "Seinfeld," which of course led to the later success of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." And JB reminds us about those rare moments we miss when we let our day-to-day busy lives get in the way of deeper connections.

William Rush, a British actor best known for the popular UK-based series "Waterloo Road," has died.

The tragic news was confirmed by William's mom, Debbie Rush, on IG Wednesday ... writing, "As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss."

Debbie, who starred in the popular British soap "Coronation Street," also added that up until the very end, he was thinking about others as an organ donor.

Horrifying new video shows the precise moment a plane carrying NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family crashed and exploded in flames Thursday, killing everyone on board.

Security footage captured the corporate jet turning into a ball of fire as it crash-landed near a runway at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The aircraft was scheduled to fly to Florida, but not long after takeoff, it turned back to the airport before crashing.

As you can see from the clip, the plane was reduced to what looks like a burning oil slick with black smoke rising into the sky. All seven people on the plane died, including Biffle, his wife, Cristina and two children -- Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5.

2:06 PM PT -- Greg Biffle and wife Cristina Biffle died, along with Greg's daughter Emma -- who he had with his ex-wife Nicole Lunders -- and Greg and Cristina's 2-year-old son Ryder. Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth were also killed.

Their families released a joint statement, reading in part ...

"We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words," the statement said. "Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives."

The statement continued ... "We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss. We are grateful for the kindness and support that has been extended to our families during this incredibly difficult time."

Legendary NASCAR driver Greg Biffle is among the dead after a fiery plane crash in North Carolina ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The Cessna C550, a light private jet registered to a company owned by the star driver, crash landed near a runway at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning, 26 minutes after the aircraft took off from the same air strip, killing the 55-year-old and others onboard.

The plane was originally scheduled to travel to Florida, but the Cessna seemed to turn back towards the airport just minutes into the flight.

Garrett Mitchell, aka YouTuber Cleetus McFarland, says Biffle and his family were traveling to spend the day with him, but tragically never made it.