Patricia Heaton -- who played the mom in the hit comedy show "The Middle" -- is paying tribute to her late co-star Pat Finn, after the devastating news of his passing.
As you know ... "The Middle" star Pat Finn died Monday after a long battle with cancer. Patricia took to Instagram to post a solemn statement about Pat, stating that, "One of the finest and funniest human beings I know has left to be with Jesus."
She continues to say ... "Pat Finn, whom most of you know as Bill Norwood on The Middle had been battling cancer the last few years. At the too-young age of 60, he leaves behind his sweetheart Donna and three children."
Heaton shares ... "He was adored by all who knew him, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship, and wonderful comedy." Then mentions their 2023 movie “Unexpected“ where Pat graced the film with a "scene-stealing turn as a crazy psychiatrist."
Beloved dog influencer Raffie – from the famed TikTok account "bundleofbullies" – has suddenly passed away from a heart attack ... according to his owner who was on vacation at the time of his passing.
The account’s owner Maren announced the news on TikTok, saying she is away in Austria and got the call from the doggie daycare Raffie and his siblings were staying at … and they told her in the midst of a fight with another dog, Raffie dropped dead from a heart attack.
TikTok/@bundleofbullies
Maren struggles to catch her breath as she says, “I never imagined that I would have to make this video” and says her other dog Pickles wanted to “attack Raffie” … leading to Raffie’s death.
She shares that the owner of the daycare immediately started CPR on Raffie, but Pickles wanted to “attack further” so Raffie’s best friend Oden stepped in to protect him – almost dying himself, but luckily was rushed to the vet and survived the incident.
Imani Dia Smith -- a former child actor who starred in "The Lion King" on Broadway -- has died.
According to a press release issued by Middlesex County, New Jersey, prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Department chief Thomas Bryan, Smith was found Sunday in a residence in Edison, N.J. with stab wounds. She was reportedly pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
The press release says Smith's boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, was arrested and charged in connection with the stabbing death.
Small, 35, was reportedly charged with first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
According to Playbill, Smith played Young Nala in "The Lion King" from September 27, 2011, to September 23, 2012.
According to a GoFundMe set up for the family, Smith is survived by a 3-year-old son.
Veteran comedic actor Pat Finn -- who starred in sitcoms like "The Middle" and "The George Wendt Show" -- is dead from a cancer battle ... TMZ has confirmed.
Family sources tell us Pat passed away Monday evening at his home in Los Angeles, and he was surrounded by his family.
Pat came up in Hollywood around the same time as his good friend Chris Farley. He and Chris attended Marquette University in 1987, played rugby together there ... and were roommates in Chicago when they both joined the Second City comedy troupe.
Greg Biffle and his wife sent their holiday card in the mail before they died in a fatal plane crash ... and the season's greeting is just now showing up in mailboxes of relatives and friends.
One of Biffle's friends, a restaurant owner in North Carolina named Ron Herbert, says he checked his mail Sunday and found a holiday card from the Biffles.
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Herbert shared the card on social media ... and it shows Greg, wife Cristina, his daughter Emma, and their son Ryder in matching outfits -- blue jeans and white shirts -- smiling and laughing in front of flocked Christmas trees.
Tatyana Remley -- an equestrian who pleaded guilty to plotting to have her estranged husband murdered -- committed suicide last week ... and TMZ has video of responders attempting to save her life.
Watch the just-released video ... you can see police huddled over her body while one performs rhythmic compressions on Tatyana's lifeless chest last Thursday. Her body is lying on a walkway adjacent to what seems to be the outdoor seating of a restaurant.
Passersby gawk at the scene as police try valiantly to save her life, but to no avail. TMZ can confirm Tatyana died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head outside a San Diego bar.
The body of a 9-year-old California girl has been found two months after she vanished during an impromptu mother-daughter trip ... leading to the arrest of her mother.
Authorities say Melodee Buzzard’s body was found in Utah earlier this month, and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, was taken into custody Tuesday in connection with the child’s death.
Officials confirmed Melodee was found in an area she had traveled to with her mom back in October ... and investigators believe she was killed there before her disappearance made headlines, KABC-TV reports.
The surviving loved ones of Rob and Michele Reiner have a little more closure today ... the couple's death certificates have been released.
TMZ obtained the late couple's certificates from the Los Angeles County Public Health Dept. ... while they list some information already publicly known -- multiple sharp force injuries as their causes of death -- the gravity of the documents is still heavy.
They were both cremated at Mount Sinai Mortuary. Their final resting place is the home of their son, Jake.
In the footage, obtained by TMZ, you see a red Ferrari come zooming out of a tunnel on the Angeles Crest Highway in Altadena, CA ... the sports car skids and crashes into the concrete barriers between the edge of the road and the San Gabriel Mountains.
Within a matter of seconds, a fireball erupts among the mangled car wreck ... and folks rush over and pull a body from the wreckage.
Travel influencer Anunay Sood died from a fatal mix and alcohol ... TMZ has learned.
The social media star's official cause of death is "combined fentanyl and ethanol toxicity" ... according to authorities in Clark County, Nevada, where he died.
Longtime character actress Helen Siff, who filled small roles in dozens of films and shows throughout her multi-decade career, has died.
The performer's Thursday, Dec. 18 death was announced by her family, who told The Hollywood Reporter she'd died from complications from a surgery for a "long, painful illness."
Siff was born in Woodmere, New York, in 1937, and she began acting professionally nearly 40 years later, when she appeared in a commercial for Subaru in 1976.
She went on to play small roles in numerous films throughout the 1980s, including "The Karate Kid" and "Big Top Pee-Wee."
Siff continued well into the 2000s, filling parts in movies like "Hail, Caesar!" and "You Don't Mess With The Zohan."
Siff also appeared in scores of television shows, including "Will & Grace," "Modern Family," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," as well as various stage productions.
Her family said she had the ability to make "even the smallest part memorable." She's survived by two sisters, five of her children, and seven grandchildren.
6:19 PM PT -- Call of Duty said in a statement on X ... "Millions of us have been forever inspired by Vince Zampella’s work. His legacy is enduring. Across all our Call of Duty teams and all across Activision, we offer our deepest condolences to Vince’s family, friends and fans on his tragic passing."
12:58 PM PT -- A rep for Electronic Arts tells TMZ ... "This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work. Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching. A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world. His legacy will continue to shape how games are made and how players connect for generations to come."
"Call of Duty" video game creator Vincent Zampella reportedly died in a car wreck on a mountainous stretch of highway near Los Angeles this weekend.
The California Highway Patrol says the single-car crash was reported around 12:45 PM Sunday afternoon near mile marker 62 on the Angeles Crest Highway in Altadena.
Two people were involved in the crash, according to the CHP, with one of the victims pronounced dead at the scene. NBC Los Angeles was the first to report that person was Vincent.
The video game developer was reportedly driving the car and was heading south when the car veered off the road and struck a concrete barrier ... igniting a fire.
Vincent was reportedly stuck inside the driver's seat as the car burned ... the passenger was ejected and later died at a hospital. No word on the passenger's identity.
Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer survived the horrific 2018 Parkland school mass shooting ... but he took his own life recently after a long battle with schizophrenia, according to his sister.
Nancy Metayer Bowen posted a tribute to Donovan on Facebook, revealing her brother died by suicide on December 15 after struggling with schizophrenia for 7 years.
Donovan was diagnosed with the brain disorder after Nikolas Cruz, 17, went on a rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018. Cruz, wielding an AR-15-style rifle, shot to death 17 students and staff members and injured 18 others. Donovan was a senior at Marjorie Stoneman at the time of the shooting ... and managed to make it out of the school alive.
11:11 AM PT -- TMZ has obtained the dispatch audio in connection to James's death.
James Ransone’s wife is speaking out for the first time following his tragic death ... paying homage to her late husband in an emotional tribute on social media.
Jamie McPhee took to Instagram to share a throwback photo of her and James smiling with their arms wrapped around one another, with James resting his hand on her baby bump. The couple share two children together.
In her caption, Jamie writes ... "I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again. You told me - I need to be more like you and you need to be more like me - and you were so right."
She continues ... "Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts - you, Jack and Violet. We are forever."
Chris Rea, who maintained a multi-decade career as a singer and songwriter, has died.
A spokesperson for the performer's family told BBC News he died Monday in a hospital after a "short illness." His family -- including his wife Joan and daughters Josephine and Julia -- was at his side when he died.
Rea was born in Middlesbrough, England, in 1951, one of seven children raised by an Irish mother and an Italian father who owned an ice cream factory and cafes.
He began his musical career at an early age, and he joined several bands before his first single, "So Much Love," debuted in 1974. He released his debut album, "Whatever Happened To Benny Santini?", four years later.
Rea's first major hit, "Fool (If You Think It’s Over)," was released the same year, and it ended up reaching the number 12 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Rea received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist the following year.
Rea released several albums throughout the 1980s, and his most enduring hit, "Driving Home for Christmas," debuted in 1986.
The musician was also a noted fan of motorsports and took part in the 1993 British Touring Car Championship, reports The Guardian.
