Armie Hammer's Dad Michael Armand Hammer Dead At 67

Published | Updated

Michael Armand Hammer, the father of Armie Hammer and business titan, has died ... TMZ has learned.

Michael passed away Sunday, sources connected to the family tell TMZ. We're told he had been quite ill for some time, battling cancer.

The American businessman worked at an investment banking firm in NYC ... before getting involved with Occidental Petroleum, the company his grandfather, Armand Hammer, helmed for years.

Michael moved Occidental's HQ to Los Angeles in the '80s ... becoming VP of the company and landing a seat on the Board of Directors.

Over the years, Michael reigned over Hammer Productions, the Armand Hammer Foundation, Hammer Galleries, and the Hammer International Foundation.

Michael and then-wife Dru Ann Mobley gave birth to Armie in 1986, and Armie's brother, Viktor, 2 years later.

As you know, the Hammer family was heavily featured in the docuseries, "House of Hammer."

The family has a mausoleum in the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park, where Armand and a number of other family members were laid to rest.

Michael is survived by his wife, Misty, as well as Armie and Viktor.

He was 67.

RIP.

Colorado Shooter Video Urged Cops to Breach Home ... So He Could Blow It Up

Published | Updated
alridge house breach
STREAMING THE SWAT

The Colorado gunman who shot and killed 5 people at a nightclub egged on cops to enter his mother's home back in 2021, but vowed to blow the place sky high -- further begging the question: why wasn't he disarmed under the state's red flag law???

In the video, Anderson Lee Aldrich can be seen pacing in the house wearing tactical gear -- claiming he'll set off the alleged explosives if officers breach the building.

He then shouts out, urging cops to enter -- adding, "Let's f***ing see it!" -- as we reported, Aldrich later exited the house and turned himself over to cops. No bomb was found in the home.

Aldrich was initially charged with 2 felonies, which were later dropped ... though it's unclear why.

Incredibly, Colorado's red flag law was never enforced ... which gives authorities the power to obtain "extreme risk protection orders" and take any weapons from a potentially dangerous person.

Many are now saying the law being enforced last year could've prevented the deadly massacre at Club Q over the weekend.

Diddy & Son Christian Songs Go #1 on R&B & Urban Charts

Published | Updated
112222-diddy-kal 11/21/22
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Diddy and his son, Christian Combs, have a lot to celebrate right now -- 'cause each of their songs just went #1 on the charts ... and they couldn't be more stoked about it.

The two artists released records this year that have steadily climbed two different airplay charts on Billboard, which measures radio spins. First, we have Diddy's "Gotta Move On," featuring Bryson Tiller ... which reached the top of the Adult R&B Airplay chart Tuesday morning.

Christian's song, "Can't Stop Won't Stop" -- featuring Kodak Black -- also went #1 on US Urban Radio. It seems their peaks were hit simultaneously ... as father and son were ecstatic for each other on camera as they rang in the mutual win.

Diddy and Christian are the first father-son duo to go #1 in music history -- so it's a big milestone, and especially meaningful as Christian has forged his own rap career.

Papa Bear, of course, has several hit records ... so this is another notch on the old belt. "Gotta Move On" marks Diddy's 11th #1 song throughout his prolific career.

Sinbad 2 Years Since Stroke ... Family Says He's Still Learning to Walk

Published | Updated

Sinbad suffered a life-changing stroke 2 years ago ... and in the first update since his medical emergency, the star's family says he's got a long road ahead of him on the way to recovery.

The family put out a lengthy release Monday, saying Sinbad was in the hospital for 9 months before his July release. They say he's still "fighting for every inch," and his limbs that were said to be "dead" are coming back to life. They say he's taking all the steps he can to learn how to walk again.

Sinbad's family says the survival rate from a stroke like his is around 30% ... but they're celebrating him beating those odds. His family also says they're looking for some help in the process ... noting the costs of his therapy have "far exceeded" what insurance covers.

They say it's taken a financial toll on them, and they've set up a website for anyone looking to contribute in any way they can.

As we reported, the comedian was recovering from a stroke in November of 2020 ... with his family saying they were "faithful and optimistic that he will bring laughter into our hearts soon."

deven sinbad
STROKE SURVIVOR

Turns out, it was caused by a blood clot that traveled from his heart to brain, and after the first, he got another clot -- followed by brain swelling and a bleed.

Larsa Pippen Heckled At Chargers Game ... With Marcus Jordan

Published | Updated

Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan got an earful from a troll at the Chargers game on Sunday ... when a heckler went after the reality TV star for dating Michael's son -- and it's all on video.

48-year-old Pippen and Jordan, 31, were posted up in some solid seats during their date at SoFi Stadium ... but at one point, a fellow spectator decided to share his two cents on Larsa dating Scottie's nemesis' son.

"Hey Larsa, that's what you're doing?" the fan said. "You're with the boy, Mike's son? You a cold motherf***er, ain't you! You're cold as a motherf***er, homie."

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

The couple appeared to take it in stride ... with both brushing off the verbal jab. Ex-NBAer Chandler Parsons had a close look at the whole thing ... but seemingly thought it best to mind his own business.

Of course, the heckler is referring to Scottie and MJ's ongoing beef ... which was reignited following the release of the "Last Dance" series.

Pippen was miffed over the doc ... saying he deserved much more credit for his role with the team, and claiming MJ used the show to persuade the younger generation of hoop fans into believing he was better than LeBron James.

092622-larsa-pippen-michael-jordan-son-kal
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Their relationship is so bad ... their former teammate, Charles Oakley, believes the two sides will never speak to each other again.

Now that Larsa and Marcus have gone public with their romance, some have called her out for dating someone close to her ex's biggest enemy.

But, we're told that doesn't really matter to the couple ... as they've gotten really close over the past few months -- which was made clear with cozy trips to Rolling Loud and, more recently, the beach in Miami.

Safe to say they're blocking out the haters.

Colorado Massacre Suspect Threatened to Kill Mom with Makeshift Bomb

Published | Updated

The suspected gunman who murdered 5 people and injured dozens of others at a gay nightclub has a troubling rap sheet ... which includes making a bomb threat against his own mother.

Cops have identified 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich as the man in custody on suspicion of shooting up Club Q Saturday in Colorado Springs.

Aldrich was arrested back in June after his mom called cops, fearing he would kill her. She said he threatened to blow up her home with a makeshift bomb. When cops arrived they found Aldrich wandering the streets a mile from his home. He somehow escaped and after an hour's standoff, he was taken into custody. No bomb was found in the house, but Aldrich was charged with 2 felonies. The charges were dropped and the records sealed -- unclear why.

His mom was so concerned she posted pleas for help on Facebook, looking for a PTSD therapist and a boxing coach.

Aldrich's grandfather is Randy Voepel, California State Assemblyman and MAGA supporter who praised the actions of the January 6th insurrectionists, comparing them to American Revolutionaries. Voepel was just rejected by voters in the midterms.

As for motive ... cops are tightlipped.

Logan Paul Jake And I In WWE??? That'd Be An Insane Tag Team!!!

Published | Updated

Heads up, Jimmy and Jey Uso ... Logan Paul tells TMZ Sports if his little bro, Jake Paul, joined him full-time in the WWE -- the two would make for an unstoppable tag team!!!

Logan told us out at LAX this week that the combo of the two Paul brothers in the squared circle would be so insane ... he doesn't think there'd be anybody who could possibly doubt their potential in the wrestling org.

"I think it'd be crazy, right?" the 27-year-old said. "I don't think that's deniable. That would be an amazing -- yeah, that would be incredible."

Despite only joining the WWE a few months ago, Logan has already proven himself to be a bonafide star ... going toe-to-toe with Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel earlier this month.

In fact, The Miz just told us this week that he was blown away by what he saw there ... calling Logan "incredible."

111522-the-miz-kal
FAMILY AFFAIR

But, even though Jake made an appearance during Logan's big championship bout with Reigns -- he's yet to fully show if he's got the same ability as his big bro.

Clearly, Logan thinks he does.

As for Logan's career going forward, he told us he ain't done with boxing despite all the WWE success -- explaining if it weren't for an injury, he would be fighting again soon.

By the way, speaking of the knee injury, check out the clip -- his leg certainly appears to be healing up nicely!

University of Idaho Murders Two of the Slain Students Frantically Called Friend ... Just Before All 4 Were Slaughtered

Published | Updated

Two of the slain University of Idaho students made a series of frantic phone calls to their friend just before all 4 victims were massacred, this according to one of their relatives.

Kaylee Goncalves, 21, was found butchered with Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and his girlfriend, Xana Kernodle, 20, following Sunday's savage attack inside an off campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. The killer/killers have not been identified and are still at large.

Kaylee’s sister, Alivea, sat down Friday with "Inside Edition" and revealed her sibling initially placed 6 CALLS to a pal named “Jack" between 2:26 AM and 2:44 AM. Then Madison phoned Jack 3 times before Kaylee gave it one more shot. Jack apparently never answered.

Also Friday, the Moscow Police Department and Latah County Coroner released new details on the probe ... the victims were each stabbed several times as they awoke from their sleep. Some of them had defensive wounds. None were sexually assaulted.

Police believe the two surviving roommates did not participate in the slayings and were also sleeping at the time. Luckily, the pair escaped unharmed, but they did not call 911 for whatever reason. The name of the 911 caller -- who phoned police 9 hours AFTER the murders -- has not been publicly released.

As we reported, investigators believe the attack was targeted, but have not pinpointed an exact motive. They have been searching high and low for the murder weapon -- a combat knife similar to the one used by Sylvester Stallone's character, Rambo, in the '80s film, "First Blood."

Adele Tears and Fears as Vegas Residency Kicks Off

Published | Updated

Adele barely got through opening night of her Vegas residency ... repeatedly dissolving into tears, saying she was super scared to take the stage.

The Caesars Palace Colosseum was unsurprisingly packed Friday night, as Adele told the crowd she was "so scared and nervous."

As for why ... as you know, the residency was scrapped at the last minute in January after there were production disputes and COVID concerns. She took heat for the cancelation, and a reboot seemed uncertain.

Adele told the crowd, “I should be giving you a standing ovation. Thank you so much for coming back to me. I really appreciate it. You look amazing and it looks just what I imagined it would look like, it's perfect."

She went on ... "I'm so scared and nervous, but I am so happy. I don't know what I was thinking putting piano ballads at the top of the set ... hopefully over time my nerves will disappear. I would also really like to thank Caesars because there have been a lot of rumors and they never once asked any questions, they've been amazing."

Adele's man, Rich Paul, son Angelo, and good buddy James Corden were all front and center.

Congrats!!!

Shanquella Robinson Dad Says Cabo Death is No Accident ... Claims Attack Was a Set Up

Published | Updated

Shanquella Robinson's mysterious death in Mexico smells like a set up to her father ... he tells TMZ he believes his daughter was attacked as part of a diabolical plan.

Shanquella, who was from North Carolina, was found dead last month in her room in Los Cabos ... where she was vacationing with a group of friends. Her parents say the friends told them the 25-year-old died of alcohol poisoning.

However, her parents now say Mexican authorities have told them Shanquella died from blunt force trauma to her neck and spine -- and a brutal new video does indeed show a woman beating up Shanquella while she was naked in a room.

Her dad, Bernard Robinson, was very emotional as he told TMZ ... his daughter was not the fighting type, so she would never get into a physical altercation, leading him to theorize this was a planned attack.

111722_shanquella_fight_kal
THE BRUTAL BEATDOWN

At the very least, the video supports Bernard's point about his daughter's temperament -- Shanquella was not fighting back during the assault. He says it all feels like a set up to him, because her friends back home would never have let this happen.

He suspects her attackers left her body in the hotel room for a housekeeper to find.

The video is hard for anyone to watch, but that's especially so for Bernard ... who said it hurts to know others were in the room idly watching as his only child was attacked. He hopes those responsible are arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

Her autopsy report does not mention alcohol, and Mexican authorities, as well as the FBI, are now investigating her death as a homicide.

Jhené Aiko & Big Sean Welcome Baby Boy!!!

Published

Jhené Aiko and Big Sean are now the proud parents of a newborn baby boy.

Jhené introduced the new bundle, who the couple has named Noah Hasani, on Instagram, saying, "After 24 hours of labor, a total lunar eclipse, and while it was pouring rain… he came, my baby Yoda, my Sani."

The "Twenty88" couple had a gender reveal during a joint performance in Los Angeles on October 13 ... marking six wonderful years together.

Last time we spoke to Sean Don ... he was pondering potential baby names.

TMZ Hip Hop broke the story of the pregnancy after the pair was spotted on an outing in Beverly Hills on July 2 -- Jhené was glowing and looking visibly pregnant.

Congrats to the new fam!!!

University of Idaho Murders One Victim Violently Struggled With Attacker ... 'She's A Tough Kid,' Dad Says

Published | Updated

One of the 4 college students found slaughtered inside an Idaho home fought with her knife-wielding attacker to the bitter end, this according to her father.

Jeffrey Kernodle was interviewed Thursday by a CBS affiliate in Arizona, revealing the body of his daughter, Xana, underwent an autopsy that proved one thing for sure ... she had "bruises" consistent with her furious battle to save her own life.

Jeffrey also described 20-year-old Xana as a "tough kid" who could succeed at "whatever she wanted to do."

As we reported ... Xana was among 4 University of Idaho students butchered inside an off-campus house with lurid images of blood leaking through the walls. 2 other roommates were inside the house but unharmed during last Sunday's attack, but they didn't call 911 for 9 hours.

The victims were identified as Xana's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21 and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.

Jeffrey told the news outlet he last heard from his daughter around midnight just before the attack and everything seemed fine. Jeffrey noted a number code is required to enter the residence through the front, speculating the killer was aware of that and went around back to find an open sliding door. A friend of the students who were killed has said a number of people had the code.

What's more ... cops are reportedly looking for a specific type of murder weapon -- a large combat knife similar to the one used by Sylvester Stallone's "Rambo" character in the '80s action flick, "First Blood." As for motive, police would only say the attack was targeted. The suspect is still at large.

Heidi & Spencer Welcome Baby Boy!!!

Published

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have officially expanded their family -- "The Hills" star gave birth to the couple's second child.

Sources close to the couple tell TMZ Heidi went into labor Wednesday, so she and Spencer headed to an L.A.-area hospital. After waiting a few hours, they decided to go back home and wait it out.

Fast forward to Thursday, the couple went back to the hospital and Heidi delivered a healthy baby boy at 11:31 AM weighing 7lb and 9oz ... we don't know the baby's name yet.

We're told it was an easy birth, taking only about 45 minutes, and both Heidi and the couple's newest bundle are doing fine.

Baby boy marks the couple's second son, Heidi gave birth to Gunner back in 2017.

Waiting for your permission to load TikTok Post.

In a funny video from the hospital on Wednesday, Spencer showed Heidi getting her makeup done while in labor. You gotta imagine she was planning on taking plenty of pics after giving birth and wanted to look her best.

Congrats to the family!!!

Casey Anthony Trial Judge Calls BS On Latest Explanation Over Daughter's Death

Published | Updated

The judge who presided over Casey Anthony’s criminal trial isn't buying her latest explanation for the death of her daughter.

Judge Belvin Perry Jr. tells TMZ … he doesn't think Casey's version of the events — namely, that her father George was responsible for 2-year-old Caylee's death — adds up based on what he remembers from the case.

Perry Jr. thinks Casey's story hasn't been consistent and believes she was caught in a few lies that undermine her credibility. He says she blamed a babysitter for kidnapping Caylee earlier. The judge also said there's some damning evidence ... namely, the smell of death inside Casey Anthony's car trunk at the time Caylee disappeared.

Judge Perry Jr., now retired from the bench, also notes there was no hard evidence Caylee drowned in the pool or that Casey's dad sexually abused her.

Long story short ... the judge also doesn't think her new story lines up with the facts of the case.

Casey is detailing her side of the story in depth for the first time ever on camera. The doc, "Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies," airs on Peacock Nov. 29.

Jeffrey Dahmer's Dad Signs Son was a Killer In Dr. Phil Interview

Published | Updated

Jeffrey Dahmer's father says there were at least a couple opportunities to stop his son's murder spree in its tracks -- which he described in gruesome detail to Dr. Phil.

Lionel Dahmer's interview with the TV host is included in a 3-day Dahmer special Phil and co. are airing this week ... and TMZ got a hold of a couple clips from the sit-down addressing two different times when Lionel felt he should've realized something was amiss with his kid.

111622-dr-phil-animal-kal1
ANIMAL OBSESSION

First, Lionel tells about the time when Jeffrey was still living with his grandmother in Milwaukee -- a period during which he'd already started to kill people -- and how there was a mysterious wooden box Jeff kept that Lionel suspected had pornography inside.

When he tried opening it up, he says Jeffrey was able to buy himself a day ... and then sneak out a severed human head, which he replaced with porno magazines and the like. Lionel says he wishes he would've pressed the issue the day he wanted it open -- because if he did, he says Jeff told him post-arrest that the jig would've been up, potentially saving lives.

Lionel was also asked about what he thinks set Jeffrey down this dark path, and he discusses how when he was young and going through puberty -- he'd mutilate animals and apparently get a sexual thrill by playing with their innards. In hindsight, the signs were there.

BTW, these moments the real-life Lionel talks about are covered in the Netflix series as well ... but Phil's guests, and the victims' families at-large, aren't happy with how it was portrayed.

Candace Cameron Bure I Love Everybody ... Skirts 'Traditional' Family Comment

Published | Updated

Candace Cameron Bure says she has love for everybody -- after facing a rash of criticism for comments she made about focusing on "traditional" families on her new network -- but she isn't backing down on her position.

The new chief creative officer at the Great American Family network released a statement Monday, saying in part, "I am a devoted Christian. Which means that I believe that every human being bears the image of God. Because of that, I am called to love all people, and I do. If you know me, you know that I am a person who loves fiercely and indiscriminately."

She continues, "My heart yearns to build bridges and bring people one step closer to God, to love others well, and to simply be a reflection of God’s huge love for all of us."

As we reported, Bure chatted with The WSJ about her new role on the network, explaining they'd work to highlight heterosexual relationships ... unlike The Hallmark Channel. Though she says The WSJ didn't include everything.

Bure states, "I had also expressed in my interview, which was not included, that people of all ethnicities and identities have and will continue to contribute to the network in great ways both in front of and behind the camera, which I encourage and fully support."

She ends her statement by saying, "The God we serve is a wildly creative and loving God.  He didn’t just capture a small part of my heart, He has captured all of my heart. He will be reflected in everything I do and say; in my family, my work and my interactions with people from all walks of life, God’s love and God’s compassion is front and center."

It'll be interesting to see how GLAAD and others take Bure's new statement, the org blasted her earlier Monday, calling the actress out of touch. JoJo Siwa also went after her.