Drugs & Alcohol

Andre the Giant was a booze-swillin' LEGEND -- so says WWE Hall of Famer "Mean" Gene Okerlund, who tells TMZ Sports there were times he tried matching the Giant drink-for-drink!

Yeah ... you can guess how that turned out.

We spoke to Mean Gene before the "Andre the Giant" doc premieres Tuesday night on HBO ... and he told us some fun facts about his larger than life friend.

Turns out, Andre was a serious fine-dining nut -- especially for delicacies like animal hearts, kidneys and tongues. Gene also told us the Giant was one of the most honest human beings he's ever met.

But, the best part was when Gene revealed he went on a few benders with Andre -- and ended up getting WASTED.

"I did try to stand toe-to-toe with him on a couple of occasions, and trust me, I got bent," Okerlund said.

Close, but no marijuana cigar -- cops pulled over Migos' tour bus in North Carolina, but the group members were NOT arrested ... instead 3 entourage members were nailed.

Police pulled over the bus Thursday night as it was leaving the Migos show in Boone, NC ... because concert security reported the smell of pot coming from the vehicle. No, duh.

Officers searched the bus and arrested one person, for felony possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of codeine. Two others were cited for marijuana, codeine and Xanax.

Total haul from the bust -- 26 ounces of codeine and Xanax, and just under a pound of weed. Looks like the codeine was in cough syrup, and marijuana was in cookie form ... as well as the more traditional giant sack.

Quavo and Takeoff went on their merry way after the stop. For some reason, Offset was not at the performance.

Sean Penn and Robin Wright's son, Hopper Penn, got busted in Nebraska for drug possession -- cops say he and a friend had marijuana, mushrooms and prescription pills.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Hopper and a woman -- actress Uma von Wittkamp -- were pulled over Wednesday for failing to signal. During the traffic stop, the officer detected drug activity and searched the car.

We're told police say they found 14 grams of marijuana, 4 amphetamine pills and 3 grams of shrooms. The 24-year-old actor was booked for the mushrooms and less than an ounce of marijuana. Uma was booked for the amphetamines, as well as the shrooms.

Hopper has struggled with substance abuse in the past, and last year he publicly credited Sean's tough love approach for helping him get clean.

Lou Diamond Phillips took a plea deal stemming from his DWI arrest ... so now he's gotta stay off the sauce for a couple years.

The "La Bamba" actor pled guilty to driving under the influence back in November in Portland, Texas, and was sentenced to 2 years probation ... according to his lawyer.

The conditions of the probation reportedly state the 56-year-old actor must stay sober, take a DWI education class, not enter bars or taverns, report in-person to a probation officer for the first 4 months, and use a portable device to make sure he's not drinking alcohol.

Jose Fernandez and a passenger killed in his fatal boat crash were both drugged before the incident as part of a robbery scheme ... this according to a lawyer for the ex-MLB star's estate.

Attorney Ralph Fernandez has filed new documents in the wrongful death case brought against the Miami Marlins pitcher -- claiming he was carrying $15,000 in cash in a backpack on the night of the incident ... which made him a target for thieves.

Fernandez claims he and Eduardo Rivero were "unwitting recipients of a spiked drink or a mickey of sorts" in a plot to disorient them and steal the money.

Fernandez, Rivero and Emilio Macias were killed in Sept. 2016 when Jose's boat crashed while traveling at an extremely high speed. Investigators say Fernandez's body tested positive for cocaine and booze.

The families of Rivero and Macias filed a civil suit against Fernandez's estate each seeking $2 million.

But, Jose's attorney claims investigators found NO evidence of drug paraphernalia or drug residue at the crash scene ... supporting his theory that the player was drugged without his knowledge.

Fernandez also claims the investigative body handling the crash refused to consider the possibility Jose was not driving the boat. For the record, the boat was owned by Jose.

Anthony Oliver claims he's not the one who filed the old lawsuits. He tells us it's actually his brother, Tony.

Just to be clear, he is saying ... Mom named him Anthony and named his brother, Tony.

The man suing Jamie Luner for sexual assault is on a list in California exposing people who abuse the litigation system ... TMZ has learned.

Anthony Oliver -- who claims the "Melrose Place" star drugged and raped him in 1998 when he was 16 years old -- is considered a vexatious litigant in the state ... according to court records. That means special approval is required by a judge before the courts have to accept any lawsuit he files.

The reason -- Oliver has filed at least 22 wide-ranging suits over the past several years ... some of which have been deemed to be either unnecessary, frivolous or without merit. Here's a rundown of some of the parties Oliver has sued:

-- County of Chatham, Georgia; claims he was beaten by a sheriff's deputy who used excessive force

-- Target, Cox Communications and Premier Bankcard; claims former roommate stole his identity and racked up debt with these companies

-- City of Oceanside; claims he was unlawfully arrested by cops who were harassing patrons, and they deleted his video footage of the incident and used excessive force

-- Men's Wearhouse; claims text message ads are unlawful marketing and violates his privacy

-- L.A. County, California Highway Patrol, T-Mobile, South Coast Medical Group and more for a variety of allegations

We broke the story ... Oliver's suing Luner, claiming his experience with her in '98 messed up his life, and he filed a police report as well.

Jamie's side says the allegations are "completely unfounded" and believes they are part of an extortion scheme ... and points to Oliver's long history of filing suits as proof.

Gennady Golovkin is NOT giving up on a second mega-fight with Canelo Alvarez, despite his positive PED test ... and now has his sights set on a September 15 rematch.

TMZ Sports spoke with GGG's promoter, Tom Loeffler, who tells us Gennady is "100%" committed to getting the Canelo rematch on the calendar ... explaining "that's the main focus for GGG."

Loeffler says Golovkin is still committed to fighting on May 5 ... and his team is searching for the best possible opponent to step in for Canelo.

As we previously reported, Canelo withdrew from the rematch Tuesday after testing positive for Clenbuterol, a banned substance that helps athletes cut fat while maintaining muscle mass.

Loeffler says GGG is "frustrated" with Canelo -- and added that's there's a lot of bad blood between the guys.

12:29 PM PT -- Verne's team just posted a message on his Instagram, saying, "Asking you to keep Verne in your thoughts and prayers. He’s getting the best care possible and is resting comfortably. Appreciate the support from family, friends, and fans around the world."

Police rushed to Verne Troyer's home Monday night after getting a report the 'Austin Powers' star was suicidal ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us a friend of Verne's made the call around 7:30 PM, and described him as being extremely upset, drunk and suicidal. We're told cops and fire department paramedics responded, and Verne was transported to a hospital for possible alcohol poisoning.

We're told he's being held for 72 hours for evaluation.

Verne's been battling alcoholism -- and it was almost exactly a year ago when he was admitted to a hospital for it. He later checked into a rehab treatment program.

Story developing ...

Ex-USC quarterback Todd Marinovich is back in jail after getting arrested twice in 4 days in March.

48-year-old Marinovich -- who has a long history of substance abuse -- was arrested on March 19 (he was released the same day) AND March 23. According to jail records, he's still behind bars.

It's unclear why Marinovich was arrested ... however, in March '17, the former star QB was sentenced to a year probation for an August '16 incident where TM was caught wandering naked in a random person's backyard -- with meth and weed in his possession.

As we reported, Marinovich sought help ... and seemed to be sober and doing well.

In fact, when we spoke with Todd back in April 2017, he told us he was fighting like hell to stay clean for the sake of his kids.

"I've been running [from my addiction] for years and it definitely came a time, especially after the arrest, the humiliation that that brought, the self-loathing that I was feeling, where I was finally willing to do the things necessary to get better."

Ex-NFL player Cullen Jenkins says the pain he went through during his career forced him to rely on prescription pills and alcohol to feel better ... but tells TMZ Sports he's finally found a healthier alternative -- CBD.

FYI -- cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the 113 active cannabinoids identified in cannabis, but doesn't have any psychoactive effects like recreational weed.

Jenkins -- who played 13 seasons in the NFL -- says towards the end of his career, he had to take 4 Advil and 2 Tylenol before every practice ... but thanks to his family introducing him to Fresh Farms CBD, he says he's pill-free and much happier.

Canelo Alvarez is suspended, but his rematch with Gennady Golovkin -- only 36 days away -- will go on, according to Dana White ... 'cause there's too much damn money on the line.

We saw Dana in L.A. and asked him about the most anticipated rematch in boxing ... and whether there's any shot in hell the fight happens May 5.

Remember ... Canelo was temporarily suspended after twice testing positive for a banned substance (he blamed contaminated beef). This week, the Nevada State Athletic Commission hit the champ with a formal complaint -- meaning he is facing a year suspension.

Still, Dana believes the almighty dollar will prevail, and come Cinco de Mayo, Canelo and GGG will fight.

"Yeah, I think it will. There's too much money involved."

"Teen Mom" star Ryan Edwards really killed the mood -- one day after he and his wife announced they're expecting their first child, he went and got his ass arrested.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the 30-year-old was busted Tuesday at his house in Tennessee when cops executed a warrant for violating probation. We're told he posted bail Wednesday morning. He's already on probation for a previous heroin case.

Ryan reportedly had a $10k-a-week heroin addiction before going to rehab -- and MTV cameras captured him slurring his speech and falling asleep at the wheel on his way to his wedding last year.

DMX needs rehab for substance abuse, not a long prison sentence in his tax evasion case, 'cause he's a sick person who's hit rock bottom ... so says former NBA star Jayson Williams.

TMZ broke the story ... DMX -- who's facing 5 years behind bars for failing to pay millions in taxes -- asked a federal judge to allow him to participate in a rehab program Williams operates ... instead of doing hard time.

FYI -- Rebound Institute is a faith-based addiction and wellness program located in Palm Beach County, FL.

We talked to the ex-hooper, who told us he contacted the rapper's people and "put together a plan where he's gonna come down here and work real hard and get himself together."

Williams says X failing to pony up to Uncle Sam was a product of substance abuse.

"He wasn't evading taxes on purpose. When you're in a self destruct mode," JW tells us, "You're not going, 'I'm gonna pay my taxes tomorrow.' You're going, 'Hey man, I'm not even going to live. My self-esteem is low. I gotta take myself outta here.'"

"That's where we're at right now. We're dealing with a sick individual."

Williams says the rapper has committed to attending his program. So, the only obstacle is the court and prosecutor signing off on the plan.

"You can always come back and put him in jail if he doesn't do the right thing."

Prince had "exceedingly high" levels of fentanyl in his system at the time of his death, according to a new toxicology report obtained by the Associated Press.

The report -- which is said to have been confidential -- gives a glimpse into just how much fentanyl was flowing through the singer's body when he died in 2016. According to the AP, the concentration of fentanyl in Prince's blood was 67.8 micrograms per liter. The report notes people have died from as little as 3 micrograms per liter, and as high as 58.

A medical expert quoted by the AP -- Dr. Lewis Nelson of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School -- calls the level of fentanyl in Prince's blood "exceedingly high" ... even for someone who's a chronic pain patient, he adds.

The toxicology also reportedly shows Prince's liver had a concentration of 450 micrograms per kilogram -- while also noting that levels beyond 69 micrograms per kilogram often signal overdose or fatal toxicity cases. Experts cited in the report also say there were potentially lethal amounts of fetanyl in Prince's stomach, and that he likely took the drug orally.

We broke the story ... Prince died at his Paisley Park compound from an opioid overdose -- the drug, of course, being fetanyl.

NFL player Jeremy Lane just copped a plea deal in his January DUI case ... pleading guilty to reckless driving, TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Lane was initially stopped for driving 80 mph in a 60 mph zone on January 14. When cops pulled Lane over, he had admitted to smoking weed 3 hours earlier.

At the time of the arrest, Lane had told cops he was worried people would think he was drunk, saying "This time I was more high than anything."

The 27-year-old was initially charged with DUI on March 12 ... but has now agreed to the lesser reckless driving charge.

Lane -- a current free agent after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month --could be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail, but it's unlikely he'll do any time at all. He can also be forced to cough up a maximum fine of $5,000.

Bob Arum says Canelo Alvarez should go away for a long time if he's taking steroids to get an edge on GGG ... but the top boxing promoter ain't gonna throw the book at him just yet.

Don't get it twisted -- Bob says Canelo blaming his positive PED test on Mexican beef is like telling your teacher, "the dog ate my homework" -- but he says Canelo's owed due process even though his excuse smells like BS.

"If drugs were taken to bulk him up, they gotta suspend him, and they gotta suspend him for a long period," Arum told TMZ Sports. "If it was inadvertent ... then give him a pass."

FYI, Canelo was temporarily suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission over the weekend ... just days after GGG slammed him as a long-time juicer.