Celebrity Death

Richard Childress is breaking his silence in the aftermath of Kyle Busch's shocking death ... and revealing a bittersweet detail that makes the tragedy hit even harder.

Speaking publicly for the first time since Busch died at age 41, the NASCAR team owner reflected on the shock of losing his driver so suddenly ... and praised the wave of support that's poured in for Busch's wife, Samantha, and their two children -- Brexton and Lennix -- during what's been an unimaginably difficult few weeks.

Then came the gut punch ... Childress revealed the media availability Saturday at Michigan International Speedway had originally been scheduled for a very different reason -- to announce Busch was extending his contract with Richard Childress Racing in 2027.

Hulk Hogan's home nurses told police the WWE legend was in "rough" shape during his medical emergency that led to his death last year.

The Clearwater Police Department released a 72-page police report documenting the situation after they officially concluded the investigation this week ... and Hulk's occupational therapist Justin McCamey laid it out clearly for a responding officer after Hulk was rushed out of his home. He bluntly stated, "He is in rough shape. We knew this was gonna be happening."

As TMZ Sports first reported, Hogan died at age 71 on July 24 after suffering cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home. First responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Actor Patrick Godfrey -- best known for portraying Leonardo da Vinci in the 1998 film "Ever After: A Cinderella Story" starring Drew Barrymore -- has died.

Patrick passed "peacefully at home surrounded by his family" on Thursday, his talent agency announced in a statement. They added ... "Paddy was an exceptionally talented actor and a remarkable individual, and we will miss him greatly."

A cause of death was not revealed.

Patrick enjoyed a prolific career spanning nearly 70 years, which included roles in period dramas, novel adaptations, musicals, and more. Some of his notable projects aside from 'Ever After' include 1986's "A Room with a View," 1993's "The Remains of the Day," 2002's "The Count of Monte Cristo," and 2012's "Les Misérables."

He also scored TV roles in popular shows including "Doctor Who" and "Inspector Morse."

Patrick was 93.

James Handy was in dozens of films and TV shows over his decades-long career ... and he was committed to one more project before he was brutally slain this week at his girlfriend's home ... but it sounds like fans will never see his last work.

Heidi Anderson-Swan, writer and producer of the film "Kickback, V" tells TMZ ... James was one of the sweetest people she's met in Hollywood -- he helped her a few times on projects when she was breaking into the industry -- and she had to have him in her film.

Sadly, their final project -- a comedy about nerds learning martial arts, teaching their hard-nosed karate sensei a few life lessons in return -- won't ever see the light of day.

Heidi says the film was stalled in pre-production due to numerous issues, including finances.

The son of James Handy's girlfriend has been charged with murder ... a day after the iconic actor was stabbed to death at his home.

According to authorities ... Michael Gledhill, 44, was just charged with one count of murder with a special allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon, a knife.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a press release ... "This is not how anyone’s life should end, stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of a home. The victim deserved to live out his later years enjoying what he had worked so hard for and enjoying it with those he loved and cared about."

The family of Nichelle Nichols was just handed a hefty sum ... after a jury awarded them millions in a lawsuit.

The TV and film icon's estate was awarded $13 million as a result of a wrongful death lawsuit against Gila Medical Center in Silver City, New Mexico, where Nichols was treated in 2022.

The legendary Nichols was a trailblazer as Lt. Uhura on “Star Trek” ... the first Black woman to play a starring role on TV. She also appeared as the beloved character in several 'ST' films.

Sarah Michelle Gellar is mourning the death of her "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" costar Anthony Head ... and her tribute is sure to make fans bawl.

Not long after news broke that Head -- who played Rupert Giles -- died of complications from pneumonia ... SMG shared her heartbreak on Instagram.

Along with several snaps from the classic '90s series. Sarah wrote ... "'Tell Giles I figured it out and I’m ok.' Well, I don’t have it figured out, and I’m not ok. But I know I’m the lucky one because I knew you. Thank you to Daisy and Emily, who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world."

*Warning: Graphic Video*

A blood-soaked Lil Poppa was taken off in a stretcher after shooting himself in his car ... new police bodycam video from his February suicide shows.

TMZ obtained the footage Friday and it shows the law enforcement response to Lil Poppa's
suicide in Georgia ... including the moment cops find him slumped over his his car, with blood all over the interior.

You can see Lil Poppa on a stretcher before paramedics rush him to Grady Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Wendy Gledhill, the mom of the man accused of killing her actor boyfriend James Handy, tells TMZ her son has been struggling with serious mental health issues and was diagnosed with schizophrenia, but stopped taking his medication.

According to Wendy, her 44-year-old son Michael Gledhill had become increasingly paranoid and had been prescribed medication for his condition after his July 2025 diagnosis. However, she says she recently learned he had stopped taking his meds about a week before cops found James stabbed to death outside her home.

Wendy says Michael and James didn't always see eye to eye, but their relationship was generally cordial.

The NASCAR community is mourning the loss of Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett ... who died at 93 years old, his family announced Friday.

A statement from Jarrett's loved ones revealed he passed of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina, on Thursday ... and he was surrounded by those closest to him.

"Our father was a devout Christian and a devoted, loving family man," the family stated. "He was a friend to everyone he met and NASCAR’s oldest living champion."

New video shows James Handy's alleged murderer being taken into police custody after the "Top Gun: Maverick" actor was stabbed to death.

TMZ obtained footage of LAPD arresting suspected killer Michael Gledhill ... cops say the 44-year-old is the son of James' girlfriend, and he was living with his mom at the Tarzana home where James was killed.

As you can see in the video, Gledhill is standing in front of a cop car with his hands cuffed behind his back as officers empty his pockets and pat him down.

Kyle Busch's wife is opening up on the NASCAR legend's tragic death ... saying the love his fans have sent to their family has gotten them through the worst days of their lives.

Samantha went to Instagram minutes ago to say thank you to the 41-year-old's supporters ... sending the emotional note alongside a heartbreaking family photo.

"The prayers, messages, flowers, meals, hugs, and countless acts of kindness have carried us through the most heartbreaking days of our lives," Samantha said minutes ago. "While our hearts are absolutely shattered, we have felt God’s presence and arms wrapped tightly around us through each and every one of you."

Actor Anthony Head, who shot to fame playing Rupert Giles on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" before playing Rupert Mannion on "Ted Lasso," is dead.

According to his daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, Anthony died of complications from pneumonia. They say he went peacefully, surrounded by family.

Emily and Daisy told the Press Association in a statement ... "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head."

They went on to say ... "It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many."

Emily and Daisy say their grief is "far greater than the hole he has left behind" ... and their father's legacy lives on through his work and the impact he had on audiences.

They conclude ... "How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him doing what he loved, even when he is no longer with us."

Anthony recently appeared in "Ted Lasso" as former football club owner Rupert Mannion, and also had roles in "The Iron Lady," "Persuasion," "The Inbetweeners" and "Manchild" ... among others.

He was 72.

"Top Gun: Maverick" star James Handy was savagely murdered in Los Angeles ... and now there's video purportedly showing the assailant -- who police say is his girlfriend's son -- strolling away from the crime scene.

Check out the clip ... the suspect -- believed to be 44-year-old Michael Gledhill -- appears to be captured on Ring camera walking along a sidewalk in front of a neighbor's home as he leaves the scene before coming back to the house where James was stabbed to death Wednesday morning ... according to video obtained by FOX 11.

After the murder, Gledhill allegedly called 911 and told dispatchers, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

A longtime Hollywood character actor is dead after a shocking stabbing ... and cops say the man accused of killing him is his girlfriend's son.

According to LAPD, 81-year-old actor James Handy -- whose credits include "Top Gun: Maverick," "Jumanji" and "Arachnophobia" -- was found Wednesday morning in front of a Tarzana home with a stab wound to the chest. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police say the suspect -- 44-year-old Michael Gledhill -- made a bizarre 911 call before officers arrived ... allegedly telling dispatchers, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin."

Matt Brown's ex-girlfriend spent months trying to help him through his personal struggles before he took his own life ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... the former "Alaskan Bush People" star's ex did everything she could to support him as he battled personal issues.

We're told she repeatedly urged Matt to seek professional help and believed he needed support beyond their relationship, feeling she could no longer be his only source of strength during his darkest moments.

Despite the breakup, our sources say she still cared deeply about Matt and hoped they could eventually make the relationship work. We're told she remained committed to his well-being and wanted to see him get the help he needed.