Family

Darren Criss' older brother, Charles Criss, has died by suicide -- and his sibling is sending out a powerful message about mental health in the wake of such a tragedy.

The actor revealed the sad news Wednesday in a social media post, throwing up a bunch of photos of his bro, as well as a lengthy statement about what had happened ... and what the takeaway is for him as a result.

Charles -- who Darren refers to as Chuck -- took his own life sometime last month ... although the exact circumstances are unclear.

What is clear, however, is how much thought Darren put into breaking this to the public -- because his note here is incredibly powerful and well worth a read in full.

To sum it up, he says that Chuck -- with whom Darren actually started a band -- had apparently suffered from depression ... something DC says he and his family were somewhat aware of, but not to the extent they thought it would ever lead to this.

He says his brother lost sight to the darkness -- despite the fact he was so very loved -- and also takes a moment to acknowledge ... this is something that cannot be discussed in just a sentence or two, going on to acknowledge the complexities of mental health that any one individual may be going through ... even if everything looks okay from the outside.

Darren writes, "There is simply no sense, nay, compassion or decency, to try to find blame in any direction other than the inner most tragedy of an untreated illness," going on to add ... "Which is why it is paramount for me to remind anyone reading this that may be feeling consumed by any similar kind of darkness -- that there is absolutely no shame in feeling shame, and furthermore, nothing wrong whatsoever with seeking help."

He also makes sure to hit this point home ... that Chuck's life is not defined by his suicide, and that it was so much more than just that -- acknowledging the great things he contributed to this world, including three young children that he leaves behind.

Darren's brother was just 36. RIP

Kanye West is spending time with another Kardashian outcast -- Mr. Tristan Thompson, and the duo sat down for a meal with some female company in tow.

Ye and Tristan were spotted having dinner Tuesday night at the Setai Hotel in Miami ... where we're told they broke bread around 11 PM or so. Like we said, they weren't by themselves ... there appeared to be some women at the table too.

Based on these photos, obtained by TMZ, it looks like KW and TT are as chummy as ever -- they seemed to be in great moods, and are obviously on good enough terms to hang out in public.

Tristan was in Miami because his new team, the Chicago Bulls, had played against the Heat the night before. His next game isn't until tomorrow in Atlanta ... so, he stuck around to get in some Ye time.

It's interesting to see them hanging out like this -- because not too long ago, Ye was accusing the Kardashians, and Tristan by extension, of refusing to give him the address to a birthday party for his kid, Chicago. Kanye named dropped Tristan at the time, saying he'd been told the address leak would have to be run by Khloe first.

Paris Jackson is about to go on tour for the first time ever ... one of her stops is being promoted by the same company behind her dad's last tour ... cut short before it began because of MJ's death.

Sources close to Paris tell TMZ ... Michael's daughter is hitting the road this month, marking her debut tour as a solo artist. We're told she'll be jetting off to Paris this weekend for a show ... one that's going to be promoted by AEG, which is interesting. More on that in a bit.

Anyway, later in March ... Paris will be coming back home for a string of gigs in the States alongside musician Patrick Droney ... with whom she'll tour and perform concerts in cities like Vegas, L.A., Seattle, Portland and others.

That's all well and good ... but back to AEG, which she's teamed up with for her Paris gig ... which also has a rocky history with the Jackson family.

You’ll recall… MJ’s mom Katherine sued AEG for wrongful death back in 2010, claiming it was partially to blame for the King of Pop’s 2009 death based on its alleged ill-fated hiring of Dr. Conrad Murray.

The jury ultimately decided in AEG’s favor, deciding Michael's death was caused by his drug abuse, and AEG was not responsible for protecting his health.

Jesse Williams and his ex-wife, Aryn Drake-Lee, have reached a child custody agreement -- one that allows for him to do a Broadway play, and also gives him veto power on COVID-19 issues for their 2 kids.

According to docs, the exes were in court last week when the judge signed off on a few custody modifications. Although Aryn and Jesse maintain shared legal custody ... the judge denied her request to reduce his physical time with the kids -- presumably because he's gonna be spending a lot of time in NYC.

The former "Grey's Anatomy" star was hanging at a Knicks game back in January, but he'll be working in the Big Apple soon ... starring in the Broadway production, "Take Me Out" from March thru June.

As a result, the judge is now giving Jesse 4 consecutive days with the children -- 8-year-old Sadie and 6-year-old Maceo -- in NYC each month, and 2 of those days can be weekends.

Talk about a sign of the times ... the agreement also addresses how they will handle COVID disputes. The judge granted Jesse "tie-breaking authority" for 2022 if, for some reason, he and Aryn can't agree on things like vaccinations or face masks for the kids.

One more thing ... no flip-flopping on parenting time for Jesse. At Aryn's request, the judge agreed the actor can't cancel and then "uncancel" his scheduled daddy time.

Prince Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt's recently-adopted son, Kevin Feucht, can't believe his dad wants to un-adopt him .. and says he won't go quietly, in fact, he's looking punish him.

We got Kevin outside Wally's Monday in Bev Hills and he told us he's "shocked, disappointed, and sad" Prinz wants to reverse the adoption process. While Zsa Zsa Gabor's widower has claimed his son isn't spending time with him, Kevin says, "I've put so much effort and time into this."

Kevin tells TMZ he wants to "slightly punish" his dad, although he wasn't specific about exactly how he'd do that. Not shockingly, we think, he says Prinz has been ignoring him since last week.

You'll recall ... Anhalt says he adopted Kevin to carry on his and Zsa Zsa's royal lineage.

But, if we're keeping it real -- the adoption was featured on the reality show, "Adults Adopting Adults." When A&E canceled it after 3 episodes ... Prinz decided to reverse the adoption process.

Kevin says he really wants things to work out, knowing how big of a legacy Zsa Zsa left behind, and it sounds like he already had big plans.

'Zoey 101' star Sean Flynn is preparing to walk down the aisle ... and his wedding guest list includes a bunch of his old Nickelodeon castmates.

Sean tells TMZ ... he is tying the knot with his fiancée, Lyndsey, on Friday in Georgia and former 'Zoey 101' stars Chris Massey, Matt Underwood and Jack Salvatore are expected to be among the 158 guests.

The wedding is going down at a refurbished warehouse on Atlanta's west side, and Sean says he wishes he could have invited more of his Nickelodeon pals ... but his bride's family is pretty big.

Sean and Lyndsey actually met on Tinder way back in 2014, when they were both living in Los Angeles, but they've since moved to Georgia and she's got a lot of family coming to the wedding from New Orleans. Sean, meanwhile, says he's got a bunch of loved ones making the trek all the way from Israel.

He told us they're having a second line band at the ceremony -- keeping the NOLA vibes going for Lyndsey -- and guests will dine on serious southern comfort food ... including fried chicken, biscuits, mac and cheese and steak and pasta.

For Sean's side of the family ... well, they've got a rabbi officiating.

BTW, the couple's first dance will be to "You're Still the One" by Shania Twain.

Michael Keaton has a new trophy for his role in "Dopesick" -- a TV drama about addiction -- a subject that hits painfully close to home and had him fighting back tears at the podium.

Michael won the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series Award Sunday night at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and dedicated it to his late nephew -- also named Michael -- who, he revealed, had died from an overdose.

The actor took several seconds to collect himself, but was still choked up as he said, "I lost Michael to drugs, and it hurts." He also dedicated the award to his sister, Pam.

Keaton's nephew reportedly died in 2016 when he OD'd on heroin and fentanyl.

In the Hulu drama, Michael plays a small-town family doctor taking on big pharma to fight the country's opioid crisis.

Watching his speech Sunday night ... you can understand how emotional he is about the role, and he made it clear winning the award had a bigger meaning for him and his family.

Kanye West has just made it clear ... he's not gonna end his marriage without a fight, but the fight he's waging is, well, bizarre.

Kanye just filed legal docs ... trying to make his social media posts attacking Kim, Pete and others inadmissible in next week's hearing. As we reported, a judge will decide next week whether to restore Kim's single status.

Kanye's argument -- How does Kim really know he wrote those posts? His lawyer is arguing these social media posts are not only hearsay ... they're double hearsay!

Ye's lawyer says, "Kim claims she read something online allegedly by Kanye and characterizes the posts in her declaration as misinformation ... Kim needed to offer the social media posts into evidence, and show that the posts were written by Kanye."

The docs never say Kanye didn't write the posts ... just that Kim hasn't jumped through all the hoops.

But, that's not all ... Kanye's lawyer now says the prenup can't be viewed as valid, at least not now. Ye's attorney says there's a presumption in California that prenups signed after 2001 are invalid, and the only way they can be validated is either during a trial or if both parties agree. So, it seems Kanye is saying he hasn't agreed it's valid, so it can't be enforced until there's a full-blown trial, and that means a big delay.

What Kanye is doing is throwing up roadblocks to stop Kim from becoming single. He previously filed docs saying he would agree to it, but one of the conditions is that all assets be frozen for now. The thing is ... they have a prenup that makes all their property separate and Kim needs that money to run her businesses.

It's highly unlikely the judge will buy what Ye's lawyer is selling ... restoring single status is a routine procedure, and the very point is to separate division of assets from marital status.

Kylie Jenner is back in action -- checking out real estate -- just three weeks after giving birth to her second child ... and she's got her mom right by her side.

Check out these pics of Kris, Kylie and a couple others checking out a home under construction in So. Cal ... unclear if the pad already belongs to Kylie, or if she's scoping it out to buy.

The 24-year-old mommy of two looks great, and we're told Stormi came along for the ride. Family sources tell us the 4-year-old loves helping with Wolf.

It's the first time we've seen Kylie since she and Travis Scott welcomed their son, Wolf Jacques Webster, into the world on February 2nd.

TMZ broke the story, Wolf's middle name is an ode to his famous pops ... Travis' real name is Jacques Webster. Interestingly enough, Kylie's middle name is Kristen -- after her mom -- the middle name shout-outs continue.

We're still waiting on the first full pics of Wolf. In announcing his birth, Kylie posted a pic of Stormi holding her baby brother's hand, but all we see is his hand.

Amanda Bynes has her parents' full support as she tries to end her conservatorship ... a move that's not inspired by Britney Spears -- instead, her attorney says it's all about Amanda putting in the work.

Amanda's repped by David A. Esquibias, and he tells us ... Amanda's move to pull the plug on her conservatorship is years in the making, starting long before the #FreeBritney movement grew vocal last year.

He says Amanda filing the legal docs a few months after Britney successfully ended her own conservatorship is purely coincidental, and adds she's never even mentioned Britney's battle.

Amanda's lawyer says her conservatorship was never meant to be in place for her entire life -- the goal was always for it to end -- and within the last 2 years, Amanda and her parents realized the significant progress she'd made in coping with bipolar disorder.

Amanda was placed under the conservatorship in 2013 following a string of bizarre episodes. She was temporarily committed to a psychiatric facility and once released, her parents started taking care of her.

We're told Amanda's gained important structure and support in her life through attending AA, and has been sober for 3 or 4 years.

She's also doing really well in classes -- almost straight A's -- at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising as she works toward a Bachelor's degree. We're told she's focused on using fashion as a creative outlet, and also wants to develop fragrances.

Interestingly, she's not mentioned anything about getting back into acting.

Amanda's lawyer says she's been working hard with her parents to reach the common goal of ending the conservatorship, and she's put in a lot of work and effort to get there.

As we've reported, this is significantly different from Britney. Sources directly connected to her conservatorship told TMZ ... they thought it would be in place for her lifetime, because they believed she couldn't safely care for herself and others.

Jackson Mahomes is getting ripped by a business again -- this time, a snack company claims the Chiefs QB's brother scammed them out of a $250 care package.

Rare Munchiez owner Sam Farha tells TMZ Sports ... Patrick Mahomes' little bro DMed the company on Instagram back in January, saying he loved their product -- rare snacks and sodas from across the world --  and would like a care package.

Farha says he had no problem with that ... as long as Mahomes posted his business and the bundle for his 260,000 followers to see.

Sam says Mahomes agreed -- but after the $250 package was delivered and signed for by the 21-year-old on Feb. 8, he went MIA.

Farha tells us he reached out to Mahomes several times over the next 2-3 weeks after the delivery ... claiming screenshots of the DMs prove he was being ignored.

"It's not like he wasn't seeing our messages," Farha says. "He was opening them every time I sent a message. He looked at all my DMs for 2 weeks straight."

So, Farha decided to enter Mahomes' world by posting a TikTok video this week sharing his side of things ... and that's when Jackson hit him back.

"He still says he never received it after the video went viral," Farha says. "It took a video to go viral, bashing him, for him to actually respond!"

But, Farha tells us he believes Mahomes DID receive that package ... especially with the tracking info and the way he ignored him for weeks until he put him on blast.

So, what now?? Farha doesn't even want Mahomes to give his business a shoutout anymore ... and is throwing shade at him for taking advantage of being the younger brother of an NFL superstar.

"My message for him is to basically stop taking advantage of clout, trying to scam small businesses because that's just not how the world works."

"He's just using his brother's name and fame for himself to get free stuff."

This isn't the first time Jackson was accused of similar behavior -- just 2 months ago, he was ripped by a restaurant in Kansas City for allegedly clout chasing after he made a social media post about their bad service.

The restaurant later apologized to Mahomes after they criticized him -- but it doesn't seem he'll be getting one from Rare Munchiez.

Amanda Bynes just took a huge step on the path to personal freedom ... because she officially filed to pull the plug on her conservatorship. And, it doesn't seem coincidental she's doing it on the heels of Britney Spears ending hers.

The former child star filed docs in L.A. Wednesday to end her 9-year conservatorship.

Amanda was placed under the conservatorship back in 2013 following a string of bizarre episodes ... including when she soaked her dog in gasoline while setting a neighbor's driveway on fire, which shed light on some of her struggles with mental health. She was committed temporarily to a psychiatric facility and once released, was cared for by her parents.

Amanda's move to end the conservatorship is interesting ... as we reported back in September, a judge signed off to keep it in place until March 2023.

She's mostly been staying out of the spotlight, pursuing other interests besides acting, dabbling in rap music and pursuing a design career while getting engaged. She also got a degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, which certainly shows an ability to function.

There's definitely a movement to end conservatorships with young people where it runs indefinitely, so the judge's reaction will be both interesting and important.

Fantastic news -- New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson's dad, Mitchell Jr., has been found safe ... after going missing for 2 weeks.

As we previously reported, the hooper pled for the public's help in searching for his dad, who was last seen on Feb. 11. in Pensacola, Florida.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Mitchell Jr. was found after he was pulled over for a traffic violation in Clayton, Missouri early Tuesday morning.

Clayton PD tell us the officers discovered Mitchell was listed as missing by Escambia County police after they ran his name through the system. CPD informed ECSO Mitchell was found safe and wasn’t a danger to himself ... and Mitchell was let go with a verbal warning.

It's a major sigh of relief -- the 2018 2nd-round pick had been posting on social media about the situation ... saying, "Don't know a place the devil will hide you ... Come home pops."

A Ukrainian father broke down in tears as he gave his daughter a final goodbye as she fled to safety ... and the video drives home the heartbreak of the brutal Russian invasion.

The Ukrainian father is inconsolable as his daughter cries during their final embrace ... as the young girl and a woman board a bus for safety.

The dad tells his daughter he loves her as he sobs and gently places a hat on his daughter's head.

It's difficult but important to watch because it drives home the tragedy of Putin's aggression.  As he leaves his daughter -- perhaps not know when or even if he'll see her again -- he asks for her hand. As she leaves, he gazes in agony.

This scene is likely being played out with many other Ukrainian families .. ripped apart as they flee for safety or fight for freedom.

One of the reasons families are splitting up ... the Ukrainian government is requiring men between 18 and 60 to stay in the country ... presumably to resist the invasion.

The NBA continues to pay tribute to the late Terrence Clarke ... by gifting his mother an honorary Rising Star jersey from the 2022 All-Star Weekend.

Clarke's mom, Osmine, shared the news on Instagram ... saying she received her son's All-Star gear from Klutch Sports -- the agency TC signed with before his tragic death last April.

"Thanks 🙏🏾 to Klutch team for sending me T's jerseys," Osmine said, "I'm so sorry 😢 he wasn't able to showcase his talent before leaving us."

"Thanks again for all who made this possible a through STAR 🌟 looking over us love ❤️ you 5"

Clarke -- who played for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2020 -- passed away after a horrific car accident in Los Angeles on April 22 ... months before the 2021 NBA Draft.

The NBA has preserved the 6'8" guard's legacy ever since ... making him an honorary pick at the draft and bringing his family on stage to accept his draft hat.

The league also teamed up with the Celtics to renovate the Boston Centers for Youth & Families Vine St.'s basketball court ... where Clarke grew up playing hoops.

The court features his initials, Wildcats jersey #5 and his famous quote -- "I want to be that guy for everyone in the city."

Hall of Fame boxers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko are preparing for the biggest fight of their lives -- the Ukrainian brothers are vowing to defend their country from the Russian attacks.

Wladimir spoke out about the invasion of his country on Thursday ... condemning Putin's actions and pledging to join in the fight with the Ukrainian people against the Russian regime.

"I am writing to you from Kyiv, the capital of a country at war, a country being attacked and invaded from all sides," the former heavyweight champ said. "It is not 'the war of Ukraine,' it is Putin's war."

"Putin wants to call into question the geopolitical balance across the whole of Europe, he dreams of being the defender of the Slavic peoples wherever they live, and he wants to restore a fallen empire whose demise he has never accepted."

Wladimir went on to say the Ukrainian people have chosen democracy, but he knows democracy is a fragile regime and him and his brother, Vitali, are ready to fight for it.

Vitali -- the mayor of Kyiv -- told "Good Morning Britain" in an interview he was "prepared to take up arms" if need be to halt the Russian invasion.

The Klitschko brothers also released a passionate video ... calling on all countries to observe what's happening and unite against Russia.

Arnold Schwarzenegger -- a longtime friend of the Klitschko bros. -- sent a message of gratitude to the boxing legends ... lauding them for their courage in the midst of this difficult time.