Nurse!

A top contender on "MasterChef" had a bizarre, violent encounter with cops in Chicago ... telling them Gordon Ramsay is an "asshole" who possessed his body and then transformed him into God ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... a University of Chicago cop spotted Josh Marks nearby the campus on Monday He was trying to use a University emergency phone and had obvious cuts on his face. We're told the cop asked Marks if anything was wrong, and Marks then lunged at him, striking him with a closed fist and then tried to grab his gun.

Our sources say the cop and two other officers tried to subdue the 26-year-old, 7'2" tall culinary runner-up ... to no avail. They batoned and pepper sprayed him but it had no effect. Marks broke free and started running. Five cops subdued him in a resident's backyard.

Marks was taken to the hospital to treat his injuries. We're told once in custody an officer asked him why he went off the rails, and he blamed it all on Gordon Ramsay. Shockingly, we're told there was no evidence of drug use.

We're told doctors discovered bullet fragments in Marks' face from an unrelated incident.

A crazed WWE fan has been arrested after climbing into the ring during an event in South Africa today ... and blasting Randy Orton in the nuts, TMZ has learned.

The video is pretty wild -- the fan jumps into the ring and sneaks up behind Randy while the wrestler is on the turnbuckle ... and swings his arm up between Randy's legs. Security immediately jumps in and drags the fan away, but not before Randy attempts to kick the guy.

A rep for the WWE tells TMZ, "Randy was violently attacked from behind" by the fan -- who was not part of the show ... and is now in police custody.

With his rehab in full swing, Kobe Bryant proved his achilles is healthy enough for tourist activity this weekend by strolling around Italy with his family.

Kobe -- along with his wife Vanessa and their daughters Natalia and Gianna -- were spotted walking around Capri like regular people.

Kobe recently told an Italian media outlet that he's in the country for vacation -- but found some time to do some rehab at the Milanello Sports Centre, the training facility for famed Italian soccer club A.C. Milan.

As for Kobe and Vanessa ... we broke the story, VB called off the divorce back in January ... and it appears the two are just like peas and carrots again.

Nick Cannon refused to let minor surgery on his face keep him from the party scene -- 'cause the host/rapper/actor/producer hit the clubs this weekend after doctors removed a massive cyst from his cheek.

Cannon had been tweeting about the growth for the past couple of days -- explaining how he went to a skin doctor last week to treat a "cyst on my face the size of a grape!!"

The "America's Got Talent" host says doctors decided to remove the cyst but it wasn't pretty -- "I want to show y’all the pics of the removal but its too disgusting! #weakstomach."

But after the procedure, Cannon threw a band-aid on his face and hit up Hyde in Hollywood -- telling us he refuses to let the whole thing slow him down.

Nick told us doctors had to take a culture of the cyst for further examination -- but he's confident it's all good.

TMZ has learned ... the judge just GRANTED the request to extend Amanda's psychiatric hold for another 2 weeks. So even if the judge denies the temporary conservatorship Friday ... Amanda will stay in the psych ward for 2 more weeks.

Amanda Bynes is in a court hearing right now to determine if the 5150 psychiatric hold will be extended for 2 weeks, and if the judge denies the extension Amanda could walk free tonight ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with the matter tell TMZ the hearing is being held in the psychiatric hospital where Amanda has been confined. A judge is presiding over the hearing at the hospital.

We're told Amanda has her own lawyer who is arguing that the extension should be denied.

Our sources say the doctors are arguing that they need the 2 weeks to properly diagnose Amanda ... and that releasing her could pose a danger to herself and others.

If the judge denies the extension the 72-hour hold expires in a matter of hours and Amanda could go free.

People connected with the case tell TMZ, however ... they feel confident doctors will win an extension.

We're also told the reason Amanda's parents are going to court Friday morning is because they are worried the judge will reject the 2 week extension and they want the ability to control her actions in the event that happens.

Amanda Bynes will not go down without a fight ... because her lawyer just filed legal docs asking for an emergency hearing to let her loose from the psych ward ... TMZ has learned.

Amanda's lawyer just filed a motion asking the judge to release her from the 2-week forced hospitalization a judge approved Thursday.

There will be a hearing before a judge at the psych ward today at 2PM PT, challenging yesterday's 2-week extension, and Amanda will be present.

Meanwhile Amanda's parents showed up in court this morning in their attempt to win a temporary conservatorship, but they got shut down -- at least temporarily.

The judge said there was no need to rush things because Amanda is already being held for 2 weeks.

The judge wants certain things to happen before he rules on a conservatorship:

-- He wants a one-on-one with Amanda.

-- He wants the lawyer he appointed to rep Amanda to interview her and then come up with a recommendation.

-- He wants to hear from Amanda's doctors.

-- He wants to see the police file on "the incident" -- sources have told us the incident in question is the driveway fire.

Amanda Bynes' parents will tell a judge today ... the actress is in serious danger and could cause physical harm to herself ... and that's why they want to take control over her life, TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the family tell us ... Amanda's parents will be in court this morning with their attorney, Tamar Arminak ....asking the judge to create a temporary conservatorship for their 27-year-old daughter.

Here's what her parents must prove:

1) Amanda does not have the ability to provide for her own physical health -- along with food, clothing and shelter

We're told her parents will use the gasoline fire in Thousand Oaks, which singed her clothes and caused damage to a home, as the centerpiece of their argument that she's in imminent danger of physically harming herself.

2) Amanda cannot make sound financial judgements

Amanda's parents will argue her mental illness makes her unfit to protect her life savings.

3) They can provide a stable home for their daughter

We're told Amanda's parents will tell the judge ... they're prepared for Amanda to move into their Thousand Oaks home and they will provide all necessary care.

FYI -- Amanda owns two properties, but they're both leased out. She's lived in several hotels and apartment buildings ... but she's been thrown out of almost every one due to her erratic behavior.

4) There are no realistic alternatives to a conservatorship

We're told Amanda's parents will argue she's suffering from schizophrenia but will not seek treatment because she doesn't believe she has an illness -- even though she acknowledges there's a "good Amanda" and a "bad Amanda." They believe the only way to keep her safe is to provide round-the-clock care.

If the judge grants the temporary conservatorship, we're told the parents will immediately petition the court to make the conservatorship PERMANENT ... ala Britney Spears. The judge would then set a date for a full-blown hearing and appoint a lawyer to rep Amanda.

Today's hearing is set for 8:30 AM PT -- so stay tuned.

Amanda Bynes’ parents have just filed court documents asking a California judge to impose a conservatorship on their daughter due to her apparent mental illness, TMZ has learned.

The conservatorship would empower Amanda's parents to have decision-making authority over certain aspects of Amanda's life ... though it's unclear, at this point, what specific aspects Amanda's parents are looking to control.

Amanda is currently being held by authorities on a 5150 psychiatric hold ... which was put into place earlier this week after she lit a fire on the driveway of a random elderly woman in Thousand Oaks, Ca.

TMZ broke the story ... doctors at the psychiatric hospital say Amanda is showing signs of schizophrenia.

TMZ has learned the documents outline Amanda's bizarre behavior and highlight the troubling string of incidents -- including the driveway fire -- leading up to the 5150.

There will be a court hearing Friday.

It's worth noting ... it's VERY difficult to get a conservatorship in California.

Story developing ...

Amanda Bynes is exhibiting signs of schizophrenia ... and medical professionals and others WILL seek a 2-week extension on her 5150 psychiatric hold so doctors can properly diagnose her ... sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ.

We're told ... ever since Amanda was taken into custody Monday night -- after she lit a fire on an elderly woman's driveway in Thousand Oaks, CA -- people close to Bynes are convinced she's suffering from mental illness, specifically schizophrenia.

Sources tell us ... Amanda's parents will now ask a judge to put the 27-year-old in a conservatorship, a la Britney Spears, because they believe she is unable to care for herself and could be a danger to others.

Amanda's parents have wanted to take action for the past couple of months -- but they didn't have the goods because Amanda's conduct was not so over the line that a judge would take away her freedom.

Now, after the driveway fire incident ... the circumstances may have changed enough to convince a judge Amanda needs help and supervision.

Amanda Bynes' parents REFUSE to pay for the fire damage their daughter allegedly caused on a neighbor's driveway late Monday night ... telling TMZ it's Amanda's mess to clean up.

We spoke with Amanda's father who tells us he has no intention of paying for any damage or cleanup related to the blaze ... saying, "Amanda needs to pay for it."

TMZ broke the story ... cops believe Amanda used a gas canister to ignite a small blaze in the driveway of an elderly widow who lives in the same neighborhood as Amanda’s parents in Thousand Oaks, CA.

That woman, Bonnie Braaten, turned down an offer from a neighbor who volunteered to power wash her driveway and clean up the mess from the fire. Braaten thinks Amanda’s parents ought to pay for the cleanup ... but clearly, the feeling ain't exactly mutual.

Amanda is currently hospitalized involuntarily on a 5150 psychiatric hold -- while officials examine her mental state.

8:35 AM PT -- TMZ just spoke to the woman whose driveway Amanda built the fire on, and she tells us, she had no idea what was going on until cops knocked on her front door. She says cops asked her, "Do you know anyone by the name of Amanda Bynes, or why she would have some vendetta against you?" She said no ... not surprising because the woman is elderly.

Cops then described to her that there was a young lady in her driveway, who had lit a fire and was carrying a little red gas tank. The homeowner says cops told her Amanda had burned part of her clothing.

Amanda Bynes is currently hospitalized on a 5150 hold ... after starting a small fire in the driveway of some random person's house Monday night, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us, the fire department responded to the home in Thousand Oaks, CA around 9 PM -- near where Amanda was just accused of trespassing -- after someone noticed the small blaze in the driveway. The sheriff's department was subsequently called when Amanda was found standing near the campfire.

When sheriff's deputies arrived, they questioned Amanda about what she was doing, and why she was doing it -- and based on her answers, they determined she needed to be hospitalized on a 5150 hold. Translation: her answers were really wacky.

A 5150 hold is an involuntary hospitalization for mental evaluation. Amanda can only be held for 72 hours though.

Britney Spears was famously taken in on a 5150 in 2008 during her pre-conservatorship period.

And just to give you an idea of what Amanda looked like yesterday, these photos were taken at Bloomingdales in Santa Monica just hours before the hospitalization ... around 5 PM.

Story developing ...

Former NFL running back Larry Johnson has struck a plea deal in his domestic violence case -- and won't spend a single day behind bars for allegedly choking out his ex-GF during an argument in a Vegas hotel.

TMZ broke the story ... Johnson's GF claimed the ex-KC Chiefs player grabbed her by the neck and strangled her so hard during a 2012 spat at the Bellagio hotel, she lost consciousness.

When hotel security responded to the scene, Johnson was still fuming and told the guard, "I'll rip your f**king vocal cords out," ... so said the police report obtained by TMZ.

But today, Johnson struck a deal with Vegas prosecutors ... in which he agreed to plead no contest to misdemeanor domestic battery and assault ... and in exchange, NO JAIL.

Instead, Johnson got 1 year probation, 48 hours of community service, six months of counseling classes and must pay a $345 fine.

10:10 AM PT Farina's cardiologist confirms the actor "had a small cancer 13 years ago that was treated and cured with surgery." He adds Dennis recently had a recurrence of the cancer and was getting treatment.

However, the doc is clear that the death was caused by the blood clot in Farina's lung ... not the cancer.

"Law & Order" star Dennis Farina was suffering from cancer when he died ... this according to the 911 call placed just days before his death.

During the call -- placed early Saturday morning -- a woman in Farina's home says the actor needs oxygen, and describes him as a "cancer patient" who is having an extremely hard time breathing.

It has never been reported that Farina was diagnosed with cancer.

As we previously reported, the actor passed away Monday in Scottsdale from a blood clot in his lung, which would explain his breathing difficulties.

Farina was 69.

Dennis Farina -- who starred as Det. Joe Fontana on "Law & Order" -- died today in Scottsdale, Arizona after suffering a blood clot in his lung. He was 69.

Farina is a Hollywood legend -- who appeared in tons of classic films and TV shows including "Get Shorty," "Snatch" and "Midnight Run." He also appeared in HBO's series "Luck."

Farina -- who was born in Chicago in 1944 -- is survived by his 3 adult children from his marriage to Patricia Farina. They divorced in 1980. He also has two granddaughters and four grandsons.

Farina's rep says the actor is also survived by "the love of his life of 35 years, Marianne Cahill." It doesn't appear the two were ever married.

Before he became an actor, Farina was a cop with the Chicago Police Department from 1967 to 1985.

Story developing ...

The family that George Zimmerman rescued from an overturned SUV in Florida last week is white ... this according to the police report obtained by TMZ.

According to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, the two adults who were pulled out of their overturned SUV on July 17 were described as a white male and a white female.

The report states that the SUV was traveling toward an off-ramp on State Road 417 when the driver lost control ... causing the vehicle to "go off road and roll over."

As we previously reported, two men responded to the accident and helped pull the family to safety -- one of the rescuers was George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed Trayvon Martin.

Officials say there were 4 passengers inside the SUV at the time of the wreck -- 2 parents and 2 children.

TMZ has also obtained the 911 calls placed by witnesses moments after the crash, detailing the accident. Take a listen.

George Zimmerman is being hailed a HERO in Florida this morning ... after cops say he helped RESCUE a family of 4 from an overturned vehicle just days after the Trayvon Martin verdict.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ ... around 5:45 pm on Wednesday July 17, Zimmerman noticed an overturned SUV off a highway in Sanford, FL ... and sprang into action.

According to the SCSO, Zimmerman and another man approached the car and helped all 4 of the passengers -- 2 parents and 2 children -- get out of the wrecked car.

Cops say ... "Zimmerman was not a witness to the crash and left after making contact with the deputy. There were no reports of injuries to the vehicle occupants."

The identity of the family has not been released.