Celebrity Death

Daveigh Chase's mom revealed her daughter, who was living in an RV near Skid Row when she died, left behind a massive amount of money ... TMZ has learned. 

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Cathy Chase asked the court to appoint her as the administrator of the late actress' estate. She said Daveigh had no children and was never married. 

She said her daughter left behind $400K in personal property. Cathy said Daveigh’s dad, John Schwailler, lives in Vegas and in the Philippines, but she doesn’t know his address overseas. 

Blake Garrett -- best known for his role in "How to Eat Fried Worms" -- died from a fentanyl overdose ... TMZ has learned.

According to the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner's summary report, obtained by TMZ, the former child actor died from acute fentanyl toxicity ... with the manner of death ruled an accident. The report also notes Garrett died at a sober living house in Tulsa.

As TMZ first reported, Blake died back in February at just 33 years old. Blake's mom, Carol Garrett, told us at the time he'd recently been diagnosed with shingles ... and she believed he may have accidentally overdosed while trying to manage the pain after three years of sobriety.

9:35 AM PT -- Steven Spielberg released a statement on the passing of Sam Neill.

Sam Neill -- the iconic actor of famous films such as "Jurassic Park," "The Hunt For Red October" and "The Piano" -- has died, his family said.

Neill passed away Monday in a hospital in Sydney, Australia, and his death was described as "sudden and unexpected," according to his family's statement posted to Instagram.

The Ireland born movie star had recovered from a rare and aggressive blood cancer just this year, revealing in April he was cancer-free. His cause of death was not released.

Lindsey Graham's Senate seat is staying in the family ... with his sister officially tapped to take over after the longtime South Carolina senator's sudden death.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced Monday that Darline Graham Nordone will serve out the remainder of her late brother's term ... just hours after President Donald Trump publicly threw his support behind the move, urging she be appointed to fill the vacancy.

Darline may be new to elected office, but she's no newcomer to Lindsey's political orbit. The mother of two was one of his closest advisers, regularly appeared in his campaign ads ... and during his 2015 presidential run, Lindsey even joked she'd be his first lady because he never married.

Legendary director Steven Spielberg is "saddened" by Sam Neill's death ... and he has nothing but good things to say about his classic "Jurassic Park" lead.

In a statement to multiple outlets, Steven says ... "I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gilliam Armstrong, Graham Baker and Phillip Noyce for casting Sam Neill in the roles in which he was so brilliant that brought him to my attention and led to his playing Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park."

The director also says, "Sam was exceptionally collaborative. It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children."

Josh Grisetti, a Broadway star and TV actor best known for his work on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," has died.

Rob McClure, Josh's "Something Rotten!" co-star and close friend, said in an emotional Instagram post that the actor died by suicide on Friday ... adding, “I’m not ready to even attempt to understand. My heart is with his wife and family as they try to deal with the reality of this."

Josh's father, John, confirmed the news -- and tells TMZ ... the family is heartbroken. Josh's body is currently with the coroner ... and an autopsy is expected.

No other information was shared about the circumstances of his death ... but Rob lamented, "Some of my all-time favorite memories were by this man’s side, playing his brother onstage for years, watching him inspire students while transforming the Musical Theatre program at Cal State Fullerton …and having the honor of being the Best Man at his wedding."

Nancy Mace says she won't look to replace Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate short term ... but reports indicate she may run to replace him in November.

Here's the deal ... Mace appeared on CNN Sunday morning to discuss Graham's passing -- and, during the interview, she flat-out denied she wants to replace him on an interim basis.

Listen to the interview carefully ... Mace says she doesn't want the short-term job because Republicans can't afford to lose seats in the House of Representatives. She adds the next few weeks should be focused on grieving Graham.

Wai Ching Ho -- a longtime actress best known for her role in several Marvel TV series -- has died ... according to several former costars.

Peter Shinkoda -- who appeared with Wai Ching in "Daredevil" -- shared a photo of the pair from the show ... writing in the caption that he "learned every minute from you when we were together on and off set." He added the two will see each other again one day.

"The World’s Greatest" star Judy Lei also shared her distress at Wai Ching's passing ... sharing memories from the film they worked on together -- and noting Wai Ching never became frustrated with her lack of experience, jumping in with no inhibitions.

United States Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71, his office announced late Saturday night.

The official social media page for senator Graham posted the statement on X, saying "On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness."

The statement continued ... "Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period."

South African soccer star Jayden Adams has died just weeks after he appeared in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Bafana Bafana.

South Africa's minister of sport, arts and culture, Gayton McKenzie, announced the news, calling him "one of its brightest young talents," per the BBC.

A cause of death has not been revealed.

Peter Van Norden -- a longtime actor who starred in several hit 1980s and 1990s comedies -- has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

The actor's wife, Wendy, tells TMZ ... Peter passed away peacefully in a Southern California hospice facility Thursday morning while dealing with several different health conditions. Wendy was with him when he passed.

Peter -- a New York City native -- got his start in Hollywood in the late 1970s ... grabbing a bit role in the controversial comedy "Squeeze Play."

Randolph Mantooth, the actor best known for his iconic portrayal of paramedic John Gage on "Emergency!," has died, TMZ confirmed.

Donald Mantooth, his brother, tells TMZ ... the TV, film, and stage actor died peacefully Thursday in a Ventura hospice surrounded by friends and family. The actor had been sick for several years with a variety of cancers, starting with throat cancer. He battled them as best he could, but the toll it took on his body was just too much, his brother says.

Working in Hollywood for more than 50 years ... Mantooth appeared in dozens and dozens of projects such as "ER," "LA Law," "China Beach," "Baywatch," "Fantasy Island," and "Charlie's Angels."

David Lynch's ex-wife Emily Stofle rushed to court pleading for help … claiming the late director's estate won't hand over a home she says is rightfully hers ... TMZ has learned.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Emily says she worked out a divorce settlement with David in December 2024, and she was awarded an L.A. mansion.

Per the docs, David was supposed to sign all the deed paperwork within 30 days of the deal ... but the famed director died on January 16, 2025, at the age of 78, before he could sign over the deed.

It sounds like Darrell Sheets had sex one last time before he died by suicide ... at least according to his girlfriend.

According to an incident report obtained by TMZ ... a woman who identified herself as Darrell's girlfriend told police they "fooled around" right before his death.

She also told cops the two made chicken fajitas and weren't arguing on the night he died.

The woman told police she went to pick up Darrell's granddaughter from work ... and when she got back, she texted Darrell and asked if he wanted her to sleep in the motorhome located in the garage because he was trying to go to sleep.

Darrell Sheets' brother says the "Storage Wars" star was "dramatic" ... but never in a million years did he think his sibling would die by suicide.

According to the Lake Havasu City Police incident report, obtained by TMZ, Darrell's older brother told officers the reality star was a "good Christian" -- and that's why he didn't think he'd take his own life.

His brother also told police Darrell had always been a "dramatic" person ... but to him, that didn't mean suicidal.

Darrell Sheets' suicide rocked the "Storage Wars" cast and crew ... and one of the show's main auctioneers, Dan Dotson, has a heartbreaking take on Darrell's tragic death.

Dan tells TMZ ... he was friendly with Darrell for the 15 seasons they appeared on the A&E reality series, but the two men were not close pals ... something he now regrets.

Dan tells us ... "Maybe if I'd been a better friend, I could've helped him. Seems he was going through a lot we didn't know about."

Dan and his wife, Laura -- who also serves as a 'Storage Wars' auctioneer -- were devastated to learn Darrell shot himself.

The couple attended Darrell's celebration of life ... and were shocked by how many people from the series -- including 3 showrunners -- reunited for the service.