'Truman Show' House Spared Hurricane Michael's Wrath

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This is NOT a figment of Truman Burbank's imagination ... the house where Jim Carrey filmed "The Truman Show" was smack in the path of Hurricane Michael's 155 mph winds, but somehow dodged disaster.

Exteriors for the 1998 flick were shot at this home in Seaside, FL and, despite the approaching category 4 storm, the owners tell us they did very little to protect the house. They trusted the fact it's sitting on a solid foundation, and hoped for the best. However, the town was under mandatory evacuation, so they got out of harm's way ... not knowing if the home would make it.

Truth is, the odds weren't in their favor when Michael made landfall. As a barometer, Panama city -- just 35 miles west of Seaside -- was decimated.

As it turns out, the hurricane ended up skirting Seaside ... and the only real damage suffered at the house was limited to some branches coming down.

The owners know they got super lucky this time around.

BTW, the house is usually empty, except for visiting family members from time to time. The owners don't rent it out, and they've left it unchanged since 'Truman' was shot there.

Mike WiLL Made-It 'Creed II' Soundtrack ... STRAIGHT FIRE!

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STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Did you know super producer Mike WiLL Made-It is the guy doing the "Creed II" soundtrack?

It's true ... and Mike tells TMZ Sports it's gonna blow your mind.

FYI, Mike is one of the heaviest hitter in hip-hop -- he just won a Grammy for the work he did on Kendrick Lamar's hit single, "Humble."

Now, Sylvester Stallone has charged Mike with overseeing the music to his beloved franchise -- and Mike says he's ready for the moment.

"The soundtrack is crazy," Mike says ... "Every song has that gut feeling, that feeling that you're gonna fight through something."

Mike says he wanted the music to be as compelling as the movie itself, which comes out Nov. 21 -- "I don't want it to be a typical soundtrack."

Long story short ... it's gonna be dope.

Verne Troyer About That Final Ambulance Ride ... LAFD Bills His Estate

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Verne Troyer's estate is getting a cold, harsh reminder there are no free rides, because it's being asked to cough up the dough for his ambulance ride to the hospital.

The Los Angeles Fire Department slapped Verne's estate with a $1,547 invoice for his emergency transportation. We broke the story ... the 'Austin Powers' star was rushed to a hospital after cops got a call he was suicidal.

Verne eventually died in the hospital a few weeks after that ambulance ride. He was on life support during much of his hospitalization.

His death was just officially ruled a suicide from alcohol abuse.

Harvey Weinstein Scores Big Victory Judge Dismisses Sexual Assault Count

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7:30 AM PT -- The judge released a letter from the D.A.'s office to Weinstein's lawyer, which says in part the witness in question said, among other things, Weinstein offered to give Evans cash if she exposed her breasts to him and that Evans told her Weinstein promised her an acting job in return for oral sex. The upshot -- the witness says Evans was not forced to perform oral sex.

According to the letter, the detective told the witness she had no obligation to cooperate with prosecutors and "less is more."

Harvey Weinstein just scored a huge victory in his sexual assault criminal case ... a judge just threw out one of the 3 cases in which he was charged.

The judge said the case involving then-actress Lucia Evans was dismissed ... this after prosecutors jumped the gun and asked the judge to 86 the charge of sexual assault.

TMZ broke the story ... the lead detective in the Weinstein cases is under investigation after allegedly tampering with a witness who claimed Evans admitted to her she voluntarily engaged in oral sex to score an acting role. Evans claims Weinstein forced himself on her, but the witness says otherwise.

The detective allegedly hid information about the witness in dealing with prosecutors and allegedly cajoled the witness into not disclosing what she knew.

Weinstein's lawyer, Ben Brafman, asked the judge to review all of the detective's work on the case. The judge did not say whether he'll do that.

There are still 5 criminal charges against Weinstein involving 2 other women.

Originally published 7:04 AM PT

Taylor Swift She's Talking Politics ... These Celebs Ante Up for Candidates

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Taylor Swift certainly talked a big game by endorsing 2 candidates in Tennessee, but a bunch of other celebs are doing more than talking -- they're paying to support their fave Democrats.

We did some digging into 2018 Federal Election Commission filings to find out which A-listers are donating, and how much they're throwing down heading into the midterms. Out of the group we found, Eva Longoria actually donated the most -- a little more than $40k just since the spring.

Most of her cash is supporting Missouri incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill. Here are the other big spenders:

-- Susan Sarandon ... $29,574 to Democratic PACs supporting NY, WV, HI and TX candidates

-- Rosie O'Donnell ... $29,243 for NY, IL, MA and IA candidates

-- Jimmy Kimmel ... $26,701, mostly for NV Congresswoman Jacky Rosen's Senate run

-- Matt Damon ... $10,800

-- Ben Affleck ... $6,270

Kimmel fans will notice, he's got his nemesis, Damon, beat again. The saga continues.

As for T-Swift, we know her vocal support for 2 Dems in her home state spurred hundreds of thousands to register to vote ahead of Nov. 6 -- a crucial contribution to the electoral process.

As far as financial contributions, though, we weren't able to find any ... so far.

Verne Troyer Death Ruled Suicide ... from Alcohol Abuse

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Verne Troyer's death has officially been ruled a suicide ... TMZ has confirmed.

The L.A. County Coroner's Office released an autopsy report Wednesday saying the 'Austin Powers' star died of "sequelae of alcohol intoxication" ... basically alcohol abuse. Shortly after his death, the Coroner's Office "deferred" Verne's cause of death ... pending an investigation. The Coroner's Office has now determined alcohol abuse is what killed the actor.

As we reported ... Verne struggled with alcoholism for years and had been to rehab many times. In early April, Verne had been rushed to a hospital after cops got a call that he was suicidal. We were told he was being treated for alcohol poisoning because his BAC was triple the .08 limit.

He'd been on life support ever since -- but, as TMZ first reported, he died a few weeks later. He was 49.

'Joker' Movie Extras Piss on Train Tracks When You Gotta Go ...

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Things got nasty on the set of the upcoming "Joker" movie over the weekend ... we're told extras were locked on a subway car for more than 3 hours, and it got so bad some people started peeing on the tracks.

Sources on set tell TMZ ... extras for the movie were filming a scene in a Brooklyn subway station and they were locked in a train car and denied their break after 2 hours of work ... leading to a sticky situation.

The extras started banging on the subway doors asking to be let out because people needed to use the bathroom, but they were kept inside and eventually resorted to pissing on the tracks through the small spaces between cars.

We've learned SAG received a complaint about a break time violation and they sent a rep to the set to resolve the situation ... and SAG will continue to follow up and monitor the set.

Warner Bros. tells TMZ they're looking into what went down on the tracks.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Regrets 'Girlie Men' Insults 'Better to Not Say That'

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Arnold Schwarzenegger says he shouldn't have used the words "girlie man" to insult his political rivals -- saying, "In the long term, it's better to not say that."

The former California governor famously used the term at the 2004 Republican National Convention --saying, "And to those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say, don't be economic girlie man!"

At the time, the comments were met with thunderous applause from politicians like Rudy Giuliani and Dick Cheney (both gave Arnold a standing ovation).

But now, Arnold tells Men's Health he wishes he didn't use the term -- but not because it's offensive to women or effeminate men ...

"I called them girlie men because they weren’t willing to take risks," Arnold said ... "They were afraid of everything."

"Politicians in general want to do little things so there’s no risk involved. But it was shortsighted. In the long term, it’s better to not say that, because you want to work with them."

In the 30th Anniversary Issue, Arnold also talked about his treatment of women before the #MeToo movement ... saying, "Looking back, I stepped over the line several times, and I was the first one to say sorry. I feel bad about it, and I apologize."

Back in 2003, several women came out and accused Arnold of sexual misconduct earlier in his Hollywood career ... claiming he would grope them against their will.

Arnold had said most of the allegations were untrue -- but fessed up to "behaving badly sometimes."

Fast forward to the new interview ... where Arnold explains, "When I became governor, I wanted to make sure that no one, including me, ever makes this mistake. That’s why we took sexual harassment courses, to have a clear understanding, from a legal point of view and also from a regular-behavior point of view, of what is accepted and what is not."

Margot Robbie I'm Baby Bumpin' For Quentin's Manson Flick

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Margot Robbie's blowing up, particularly around her belly ... but only to play the tragic role of Sharon Tate.

Margot was rocking a prosthetic baby bump Tuesday while filming scenes for Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" -- set, of course, in 1969. Note the classic cars behind her for the scene.

Margot's transformation into Sharon is uncanny ... and the sight of her "pregnant" is a stark reminder of Charles Manson's brutality. Sharon was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Roman Polanski's son the night the Manson family members murdered her.

Sharon's sister, Debra, told us she's thrilled with the casting, and thinks Margo will fill the role in spectacular fashion. It certainly looks like she's nailing it.

Hard to imagine, but Brad and Leo might be getting upstaged.

James Gunn Back in Business ... Tapped to Write 'Suicide Squad 2'

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That didn't take long -- fired "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn is bouncing back from controversial tweets by landing a gig writing "Suicide Squad 2."

As you know ... Disney canned Gunn in July over a bunch of years-old, yet horribly offensive tweets -- including comments about 9/11, AIDS, the Holocaust and rape.

Despite the controversy, Warner Bros and DC Films confirm they've snatched up Gunn ... and he'll now be tasked with improving the studios' much-maligned 'Suicide' franchise.

For what it's worth, Gunn's old 'Guardians' cast backed him immediately after Disney and Marvel let him go, saying he was the victim of "mob mentality." Selma Blair also publicly supported her friend.

Deadline first reported Gunn's new job ... which most superhero movie fans have said is exactly what DC needs -- a taste of the Marvel Cinematic Universe success. Critics might say ... at what cost?

Harvey Weinstein Checking Out Nicole Kidman ... Just Looking, No Purchase

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Harvey Weinstein's still keeping up with A-list actresses like Nicole Kidman -- whether they like it or not -- he just has to do it the way normies do ... at the magazine rack.

We got these shots of Weinstein making a pit stop at a Westport, Connecticut gas station over the weekend. Witnesses say he was picking up some snacks, but couldn't resist checking out Nicole's cover shot on the latest Marie Claire issue. He was, apparently, less impressed with Jennifer Aniston and Gwen Stefani's covers.

Nicole and the disgraced movie mogul have some history. Some of it good -- she starred in a few of his movies, including "The Hours" and "Lion" -- and some of it contentious.

Nicole didn't call out Weinstein by name, but about a year ago when his accusers were coming forward, she said ... "I support and applaud all women and these women who speak out against any abuse and misuse of power -- be it domestic violence or sexual harassment in the workforce. We need to eradicate this behavior."

Anyway, lest you think he was only checking out celeb news -- a spokesman for him tells TMZ, "[Harvey] was on his way out after paying for his fuel and groceries and was doing what most people do. He looked at some magazines near the register including Time, People and Vanity Fair. He didn't open them or read the articles and put them all back, and left."

Brad Pitt & Leonardo DiCaprio Oldies But Goodies ... for Tarantino's '60s Flick

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Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio (yes, that really is Leo) might not know how to party like it's 1969 but they certainly know how to act like it.

Brad and Leo threw on some groovy outfits to film a scene in Quentin Tarantino's film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" on Monday in L.A. Brad looked dashing as ever ... rocking a white denim top and bottom with some brown boots. Slick finish with a black t-shirt. Leo, on the other hand, was unrecognizable.

For starters, Leo's rocking sideburns and a mop top hairstyle ... completing the '60s look with pink pants and a vintage polo shirt. Leo's playing Rick Dalton, a has-been western TV star who lives next to Sharon Tate. Brad plays Cliff Booth ... Leo's character's stunt double.

As you know ... the movie stars Margot Robbie playing Tate, who was brutally murdered by members of the Charles Manson family in 1969 while she was pregnant with Roman Polanski's child.

As we reported ... Tate's sister was PISSED Leo and Brad accepted the starring roles but she came around after visiting the set and jawboning with Tarantino.

Method Man & Redman Smoke And Run ... Absent In 'How High 2'

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Method Man and Redman are passing the blunt and leaving the rotation ... 'cause we're told the rappers won't be appearing in the "How High" sequel.

Sources close to "How High 2" tell TMZ ... the hip-hop duo wasn't cast in the made-for-TV movie after starring in the original stoner comedy.

We're told the sequel is going to be fundamentally different from the OG version -- think sativa vs. indica -- because it's for a television PG-13 audience, and weed legalization has made strides since 2001, when Meth and Red blazed their way through Harvard.

Filming began last week in Atlanta and, as we reported ... Lil Yachty and DC Young Fly are the franchise's new stars.

Meth and Red are MIA -- probably ripping a bong somewhere -- but one of the original producers, Shauna Garr, is returning.

Don't write off Meth and Red just yet ... we're told there's always a chance the duo changes course and makes a cameo in the sequel, or in a potential trilogy.

One more puff wouldn't hurt, right?

Hershel from 'The Walking Dead' Scott Wilson Dies at 76

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Scott Wilson -- a veteran actor with more than 50 movie credits, but best known recently for his role as Hershel Greene on "The Walking Dead" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Scott's rep, Dominic Mancini, tells us he died due to complications from leukemia. Mancini says Wilson was "a national treasure, a calm voice, and a gentle spirit to everyone who came in contact with him." We're told he passed away peacefully at his home in L.A.

It was recently revealed by 'TWD' showrunner Angela Kang at the show's panel at New York Comic-Con that Scott -- along with former stars Sonequa Martin-Green and Jon Bernthal -- would be returning for the upcoming ninth season, which premieres Sunday.

Wilson's Hollywood career began in 1967 when he landed a role in the classic film, "In the Heat of the Night." He went on to star in "In Cold Blood" and appear in several other legendary movies like "The Great Gatsby" and "Dead Man Walking."

Scott earned a Golden Globe nom for Best Supporting Actor for playing Capt. Billy Cupshaw in the 1980 film, "The Ninth Configuration."

In more recent years, Wilson starred in the movie "Pearl Harbor" and had a recurring role on 'CSI' ... but became a fan favorite playing the lovable Hershel on AMC's smash hit 'Walking Dead' series.

Hershel's death on the show is remembered one of the most shocking and heart-breaking for TV viewers.

Scott was 76.

RIP

Ben Affleck Closely Monitored In Custody Agreement with Jen Garner

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have reached a custody agreement, but it is vague for an obvious reason ... Ben's issue with alcohol.

As we have already reported, the couple long ago agreed to joint custody of their 3 kids. There are 2 elements to the agreement -- legal and physical custody.

Legal custody is simple ... they will jointly agree on decisions that affect the kids, such as education and various activities.

As for physical custody, that's where it gets tricky. As we reported, the divorce was held up for a long time because Ben was on and off the bottle, and Jennifer didn't want to strike any custody arrangement until he was sober and stable.

We're told the physical custody agreement is vague ... it doesn't outline any specific division of time with the kids. But, we're told, at least at the beginning, Jen will get the lion's share of custodial time, and when Ben has the kids he will have a monitor to ensure he's sober and the kids are safe.

There's another factor -- their kids are older now -- 12, 9 and 6 -- and they may be conscious of Ben's problem with alcohol and how it's affected their family, and they will have a voice as well.