Celebrity Death

Manny Fernandez, a star player with the Miami Dolphins when they won two Super Bowls, has died.

The NFL team announced his passing Tuesday morning ... saying in part, "His consistent and selfless contributions on the field were instrumental to the Dolphins' success."

In addition to his two Super Bowl rings ... the defensive lineman was part of the legendary 1972 perfect team -- as well as a member of the Ring of Honor.

Sonny Rollins -- the legendary jazz saxophonist honored twice by former President Barack Obama -- has died in New York.

Sonny's rep, Terri Hinte, announced that he passed away Monday afternoon at his home in Woodstock, NY. A cause of death was not released.

Rollins was known as one of the most iconic musical figures of the last 2 centuries, choosing his tenor saxophone as a way to reach the world. He was also considered the greatest saxophonist of the bebop era, alongside John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. 

Kyle Busch's family leaned on each other Sunday as thousands of NASCAR fans honored the racing legend during an emotional tribute at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Before the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday, Kyle's wife, Samantha Busch, appeared heartbroken while holding tightly onto son Brexton as daughter Lennix stood closely during the moving ceremony honoring the late NASCAR star, who died Thursday after a bout with severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.

Kyle's parents, Tom and Gaye Busch, along with his brother, NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, also gathered on the speedway as NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell delivered an emotional speech about the two time Cup Series champion.

"Kyle Busch is NASCAR," O'Donnell told the crowd. "He was one of a kind, and there will never be another."

The tribute drew cheers and tears from fans packed inside the stadium as O'Donnell assured Samantha and the children that the NASCAR community would always stand beside them.

Before being taken to the hospital, Kyle was in a North Carolina racing simulator last Wednesday when he became unresponsive. TMZ Sports obtained audio from the 911 call ... where someone told dispatch the patient was "coughing up some blood" while looking like they were going to pass out.

Kyle Busch received a tribute in the middle of the Indy 500 Sunday ... with the crowd falling silent out of respect for him during lap 18 -- a nod to his former number.

Check out the clip ... racers turn out of corner 4 on Lap 17 -- and, as they pass the scoring pylon, a picture of Kyle Busch "1985-2026" flashes on a screen at the venue.

The Indy 500 crowd -- usually a raucous bunch -- falls into a subdued silence ... while pit crew members can be seen standing at attention.

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch died from severe pneumonia, which progressed into sepsis ... TMZ has confirmed.

According to a statement from Kyle's family, he passed away "after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications."

As we reported ... Kyle died Thursday after being hospitalized with a severe illness.

Doug McCain, the eldest son of late Senator John McCain, has died suddenly.

Meghan McCain confirmed the news Sunday, though the cause of death has not been made public.

Meghan paid tribute to her brother in an emotional message shared online ... writing ... "I am deeply saddened to share the news of my brother Doug McCain’s sudden passing."

Kyle Busch's team has to push on without him ... but, there's certainly an air of grief around the team -- just watch them unload his car two days after his tragic death.

The Richard Childress Racing team took Busch's car out of the truck Saturday in North Carolina while numerous reporters and other onlookers watched ... and the silence was deafening -- with the only sounds coming from the car's wheels as the team eased it out.

The car -- repainted with number 33 after RCR announced they won't be using Busch's #8 for the foreseeable future -- has what looks like a tribute to Busch on the door ... but does not have a name on it.

Kyle Busch's tragic death has inspired statewide mourning in North Carolina ... with the governor ordering all flags to be flown half-staff.

Governor Josh Stein announced the order Friday ... directing officials to lower all U.S. and state flags to half-staff as a way of honoring Busch's legacy.

The flags were set to half-staff at sunrise Saturday and will remain that way until the sun sets on Sunday.

Grizz Chapman, the actor best known for his work on "30 Rock," died yesterday ... and now we're learning a little more about what led up to his passing.

Renee Glicker, Chapman's manager, tells TMZ ... the beloved film and TV actor has been suffering from an assortment of medical conditions in the past few years ... and was "just struggling to stay alive."

Chapman received a kidney transplant in July 2010 ... and Renee said he needed another transplant ... but given his enormous size -- he stood 7-feet tall -- finding a match again was difficult.

Kyle Busch's medical emergency has been partially revealed by 911 audio obtained by TMZ Sports ... with a caller saying the NASCAR superstar was struggling to breathe, overheating and coughing up blood before medics rushed to help.

During the emergency call placed around 5:30 PM Wednesday, the caller urgently requests an ambulance to a training facility in Concord, North Carolina ... telling dispatch, "I've got an individual that's shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he's going to pass out, and he's producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood."

The caller also confirmed the patient was still conscious at the time ... repeatedly telling dispatch, “He is awake. He's awake. He's awake.”

Grizz Chapman, the actor best known for his work on the classic sitcom "30 Rock," has died.

His longtime rep, Saideh A. Brown, tells TMZ ... Chapman died Friday. No other details are being released at this time, other than his wife and two children are devastated.

In addition to his work on the NBC series ... Chapman created a series of YouTube videos known as "Grizz Chroniclez" featuring him in variety sketches.

Rob Base, one-half of the legendary duo with DJ E-Z Rock behind the classic hit "It Takes Two," has died at 59.

The rapper -- born Robert Ginyard -- passed away peacefully after a private battle with cancer on Friday surrounded by family ... just four days after celebrating his birthday.

His family remembered him in an Instagram post as a loving father, friend and "creative force whose impact will never be forgotten."

No one will race the No. 8 car after Kyle Busch's tragic death ... with Richard Childress Racing announcing the digit will be suspended in his honor until his son, Brexton, is ready to join NASCAR.

The decision was shared on Friday ... with Busch's team saying it will opt to use No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend and beyond.

"Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8 and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for his fans and the NASCAR industry," RCR said minutes ago. "No one can carry it forward to the level that he did."

Michael Jackson’s estate is firing back at the late pop star’s former friends, who are suing for alleged sex trafficking ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, the estate slammed Edward Cascio and his three siblings, who are locked in a legal battle with the estate over claims they were sexually abused by MJ for years in the 1980s.

The estate said the Cascios were already paid massive settlements of $3.45M each, and "demanded the incredible sum of $213M in 2024.”

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch passed away suddenly, according to an announcement from his racing team, Richard Childress Racing, and from NASCAR itself.

His "sudden and tragic passing" comes the same day his family revealed he'd been hospitalized with a "severe illness."

Kyle leaves behind an incredible legacy in the racing community. Keep reading to learn more and honor his memory.

Kyle was a Las Vegas native who was just 6 years old when he first fell in love with racing, often go-karting around his cul-de-sac.

He reportedly used crushed soda cans to create a makeshift track for himself and his brother, Kurt. Busch would even use the little tabs as targets to practice weaving in and out, according to ESPN.

Kyle's first popped on the NASCAR scene at only 16 years old ... racing for Roush Racing in a 2001 Craftsman Truck Series race, behind the wheel of a number 99 Ford.

While he finished 9th at Indianapolis Raceway Park, his debut was cut short ... thanks to a rule NASCAR implemented shortly after which banned drivers under 18 from competing in any of its touring divisions.

Once he was eligible, he went on to win Rookie of the Year twice -- in 2004 for NASCAR's Busch Series and again in 2005 for NASCAR's Cup Series.

Over the course of his 25-year career, Kyle won more NASCAR national series races than any other driver in history. He racked up 63 Cup Series wins, 102 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins and 69 Truck Series wins ... for a grand total of 234.

Busch also holds the records for most Truck Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins. He's even been crowned Cup Series Champion twice -- in 2015 and 2019.

NASCAR made Kyle's GOAT status official ... naming him in their list of 75 greatest drivers. He's in good company, included alongside all-time greats and household names like Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty.

This tracks, since Busch's list of accomplishments is longer than a CVS receipt. Not to mention ... he's taken home the top motorsports honor at the ESPYS twice ... having been crowned Best Driver in 2016 and 2019.

Kyle's young song, Brexton, is continuing the family tradition ... because he's a racer, himself. According to Brexton's bio, he started racing at just 5 years old, competing at the Beginner Box Stock division at Millbridge Speedway.

Just days before his death, Busch took to Instagram to wish Brexton a happy 11th birthday ... sharing sweet snaps of his son.

He wrote in the caption ... "You’re the best kid on & off the track, you amaze us every day. Keep doing what you’re doing and there is no limit to what you’ll accomplish! Love you buddy!"

In addition to Brexton, Kyle is also survived by his wife Samantha and his 4-year-old daughter Lennix.

We first heard Kyle was sick when he radioed for medical help during his Cup Series race on May 10 at Watkins Glen in upstate New York, which he finished in 8th place.

And even though he was still under the weather, Busch raced again in a Truck Series race on May 15, where he won the EcoSave 200.

He was 41.

Viral YouTube star Danny Go is grieving the heartbreaking loss of his young son after a long health battle.

Danny Go -- real name Daniel Coleman -- announced Friday on Instagram that his son died at age 14 ... writing, “Isaac Daniel Coleman 10/3/11 – 5/21/26.”

“Oh my sweet boy. There’s so much I want to say, but I don’t know how yet. I already miss you so much, and the pain in my heart is far more than I can process,” he began.