Celebrity Health

Aretha Franklin has just about everyone praying for her -- and that includes Steven Tyler, who's got a sweet message for the Queen of Soul.

We got Aerosmith's frontman and his girlfriend, Aimee, on the streets of NYC Monday and it seems our camera guy broke the news that Aretha was gravely ill from cancer and not expected to last the day. Although shocked ... he was eloquent and heartfelt.

Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart's wife told emergency personnel the ex-WWE superstar collapsed while appearing to have a seizure early Monday morning ... and slammed his head when he fell to the ground.

Elizabeth Neidhart told investigators Jim was having difficulty sleeping and got out of bed to change the thermostat. But, when Jim went to touch it, he "turned weirdly as if he were about to dance."

"He then fell towards the wall and ground," the investigation report says.

Elizabeth called 911 thinking he was having a seizure since he "suffers from seizures and takes medication for it."

Neidhart's wife says Jim's last seizure was Dec. 2017 -- and she notes doctors also believed he may have had Alzheimer's as well.

When officials arrived to Jim's home -- they found the 63-year-old on the floor with a 4-inch gash on his face.

Investigators found medication at the home, but note "none of the medication appeared to have been abused."

9:58 AM PT -- Our sources say doctors have informed Aretha's family today (Monday) is the day "Aretha will pass."

Aretha Franklin is gravely ill and friends and family are gathering for their final goodbye ... TMZ has confirmed.

A source very close to Aretha and a longtime dear friend tells TMZ he was told a week ago, "Prepare yourself, she's dying." The source adds Aretha was down to 86 pounds and her health was failing. The source says 2 weeks ago everyone in Aretha's circle was told "she could go any time."

Another source -- someone who has been close to Aretha for decades -- tells TMZ she has been battling cancer.

Franklin, who is 76, has been in poor health over the last few years. She has performed, but only on a limited basis ... most recently last November at an Elton John AIDS Foundation event.

The news that her health is failing first came from Roger Friedman over at Showbiz411, and WDIV TV in Detroit says Aretha's family confirmed she is gravely ill.

Story developing ...

Charlotte Rae died after going into cardiac arrest ... and she was also battling salivary gland cancer ... TMZ has learned.

According to the "Diff'rent Strokes" and 'Facts of Life' star's death certificate, Rae's immediate cause of death is listed as cardiopulmonary arrest, while metabolic acidosis -- an abnormal acid buildup -- and carcinoma of the right parotid gland were contributing factors.

In line with her announcement she had been diagnosed with bone cancer last year, the death certificate, obtained by TMZ, does not include any other significant conditions.

As we reported ... Rae passed away last Sunday in her L.A.-area home. She played the beloved character Mrs. Garrett on "Diff'rent Strokes" before starring in the spin-off, "The Facts of Life."

Charlotte was 92. RIP

Bret Hart says he's "stunned and saddened" by the death of his former tag team partner and brother-in-law, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart ... saying, "I just don't have the words right now."

Hart also posted a photo of his old friend with their tag team wrestling championship belts.

Bret and Jim started The Hart Foundation tag team group in 1985 -- and are widely considered one of the best tag teams of all time.

Ric Flair also posted a tribute -- saying, "My Good Friend Jim Neidhart, A World Class Athlete And A Man Among Men. Rest In Peace."

Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake added, "Devastating news Jim Neidhart my friend has passed away!! I can hardly believe it. Rest In Peace Brother until we meet again!!!"

The Iron Sheik wrote, "ONE OF MY OLDEST FRIENDS IN THE BUSINESS JIM NEIDHART. WE TRAVEL TOGETHER I LOVE HIM FOREVER LIKE A BROTHER. GOD BLESS FAMILY I NEVER FORGET YOU BUBBA."

Sgt. Slaughter said ... "Saddened To Hear Jim Neidhart Has Passed. My Prayers Are With His Families. Guess God Needed An “Anvil” Angel RIP Jim."

Tab Hunter -- the 1950s heartthrob actor -- died after his heart gave out but, according to his death certificate, he was also battling a debilitating disease ... prostate cancer.

According to the doc -- obtained by TMZ -- Tab died from cardiogenic shock ... which is when the blood suddenly can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Another contributing factor to his death was a massive pulmonary embolism. The doc also says he had prostate cancer.

As we reported ... the actor known for his surfer-boy looks and roles in "Damn Yankees" and "The Burning Hills" died last month -- 3 days shy of his birthday -- at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Tab always felt he would have been blackballed from Hollywood if people had discovered he was gay, so he later revealed in his memoirs that he had studio setup relationships with women.

Tab was 86.

Did you know Andrew Luck was jacked? We didn't ... until now.

The Indianapolis Colts QB was flexin' a legit 6-pack Thursday night in the locker room after his pre-season game against the Seattle Seahawks ... a game where he went 6-9 for 64 yards.

It was Luck's first NFL action since 2016 -- but just because he missed playing time doesn't mean he missed the gym ... at least judging by the video.

Luck was standing behind coach Frank Reich -- who was talking about the importance of getting better every day -- and proved he's been doing that when it comes to his physique.

Demi Lovato left her rehab facility Thursday and flew to Chicago, but we've learned the trip was organized by doctors and designed to make her sober and healthy.

Sources with firsthand knowledge tell us, Demi and her mom landed in Chicago on a private jet at 2 AM Friday. We're told she's there to see a psychiatrist who specializes in mental health, sobriety and overall wellness.

Our sources say Demi will be in Chicago for several days for treatment, and then she'll fly back to reenter the rehab facility where she's been since last Saturday.

Our sources say the rehab facility recommended that Demi see the specialist in Chicago, and she jumped at it.

TMZ broke the story ... Demi almost died after OD'ing last month.

We're told she's fully committed to getting better.

LeSean McCoy's ex-girlfriend, Delicia Cordon, says she seems to be healing up after the violent attack at the Georgia home last month ... but says she's still dealing with the emotional trauma.

"Just to update those who expressed concern, physically I seem to be healing properly," Cordon said roughly 1 month after she was pistol whipped during a home invasion robbery.

"However mentally is still a battle!"

Cordon was hospitalized for serious injuries to her face and body after a masked man allegedly broke into the home in the middle of the night, beat her up and stole jewelry.

"I want to take a moment to express my sincerest appreciation to every last one of you that prayed for me during the last month," Cordon said.

"I wont question God, & I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Thx to my amazing support system cause only Lord knows where I'd be without them!"

Cordon says she will continue to fight to ensure "justice [will] be served" to whoever is responsible for the attack.

'Star Trek' icon Nichelle Nichols has been diagnosed with dementia and the disease has progressed.

According to docs filed in Nichelle's conservatorship, Dr. Meena Makhijani -- who specializes in osteopathic medicine -- says Nichols has been a patient of hers for the last 2-3 years ... and she has "moderate progressive dementia."

Makhijani gives details of the severity of the disease by rating various cognitive functions. Most alarming ... she says Nichols has major impairment of her short-term memory and moderate impairment of understanding abstract concepts, sense of time, place and immediate recall.

On the bright side, the doctor says there's no apparent impairment for things like long-term memory, orientation of her body, comprehension, verbal communication, concentration, recognition of familiar people, as well as ability to reason logically and plan actions.

As we reported ... Nichelle's son recently had 4 fiduciaries assigned to her as conservators to prevent her from being taken advantage of by people close to her.

It's becoming more clear now that Demi Lovato will be in treatment for a lengthy period of time ... canceling the remaining shows on her tour.

Demi's Tell Me You Love Me tour dates in Mexico and South America have been scrapped. The news comes on the heels of Demi leaving Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. just days ago and jetting outside of California to a rehab facility.

The singer was scheduled to perform September 20 and 22 in Mexico but those dates have been canceled. Also canceled is her 6-city tour in Chile, Argentina and Brazil slated for November.

Live Nation and Lotus Productions "wish Demi Lovato the best now and in the future and we hope to see her soon in South America." Refunds will be made available beginning Friday.

TMZ broke the story ... Demi's entered rehab at one of the nation's leading facilities for addiction.

Lance Armstrong wrecked his bike on a cycling trail in Colorado on Wednesday -- and bashed up his face so badly, he went to the hospital for treatment.

"Well, sometimes you’re the hammer and sometimes you’re the nail," Lance said ... while posting a photo of his bloodied face.

Lance was riding on the Tom Blake dirt trail in Snowmass Village in Aspen when he fell ... hard.

"Took quite the blow to the noggin’ so swung by the Aspen Valley Hospital (great facility!) to get my head checked."

Lance says he was checked out by an Emergency Room doc -- but appears to be okay now.

The former Tour De France champ also says he wouldn't have gone to get his head checked back in his younger days, but now that he's 46 (older and wiser) he takes possible brain injuries MUCH more seriously.

The 49ers are paying tribute to the guys behind the most famous play in the team's history -- erecting a 2-piece "The Catch" statue at Levi's Stadium featuring Joe Montana and Dwight Clark.

Clark died in June at the age of 61 after his battle with ALS -- and it seems the 49ers are pushing the plans forward to honor him as quickly as possible. The team is also wearing #87 stickers on their helmets this year.

As for the statues -- Dwight's sculpture (full arms outstretched) will stand exactly 23 yards from his QB ... to replicate the moment from the 1981 NFC Championship vs. the Dallas Cowboys.

Dwight's statue will stand 11 feet tall. Both pieces will weigh 350 lbs.

Clark had a huge career for the Niners after being picked in the 10th round of the 1979 NFL Draft ... winning two Super Bowls and having his No. 87 jersey retired in 1988.

Matthew Perry underwent surgery to deal with a serious health scare stemming from his digestive tract.

Perry's reps confirmed to TMZ that the former "Friends" star recently had surgery in an L.A. hospital to repair a gastrointestinal perforation, which is essentially a hole that forms anywhere between the throat and the rectum -- but typically in the stomach, large bowel or small intestine.

It can be triggered by anything from appendicitis or diverticulitis to a knife or gunshot wound. Medical sites say it needs to be immediately treated or it can be life-threatening.

On the field, Steve Smith Sr. appeared to be the most confident NFL player on the planet -- but privately, the WR was struggling with depression and admits he felt "trapped, inferior and alone."

The ex-Ravens and Panthers star went public with his mental health issues on NFL.com -- revealing he REALLY began to "take ownership" of the situation when he retired following the 2016 season.

Smith says, despite his carefree demeanor, he never really enjoyed any of his football accomplishments and often felt "mentally, physically and emotionally broken."

Smith says he first tried counseling in 2013 -- but didn't really take it seriously.

But, since he hung up his cleats, Smith says he's been able to focus on his mental health and has learned a lot about himself.

"I find myself, as an extreme introvert defined by my counselor, looking for excuses on how to avoid large crowds and retreating during public appearances, big events and even family gatherings," Smith says.

"Being in public is a constant struggle, not because I don't want to attract attention or think I'm 'important,' but because of my inner battle."

"This is all proof that I still face my demons often, but I'm gradually learning how to cope with them."

Smith says he has a message to other people suffering from mental health issues -- ask for help.

Shiggy -- the dude behind the "In My Feelings" challenge -- says he never intended for the dance to start with people jumping outta moving cars ... and he wants the insanity to stop RIGHT NOW.

Shiggy tells TMZ ... Drake fans are putting themselves in real danger when they bust out the viral dance on the street and in real traffic. There have been TONS of videos posted of fans getting seriously injured while trying to put the steps together.

He points out ... the whole moving car thing was NOT his idea, and it's not at all something he's recommending fans do. Yes, he's seen some of your Shiggy #Fails ...

He does have some location suggestions for your next #ShiggyChallenge.

Watch the vid ... Shiggy also gives us his pick on the celeb nobody's topped yet. And, he's right.