Guitarist Dies Aboard Band's Tour Bus
Casey Calvert, guitarist for the band Hawthorne Heights, died Friday while on the band's tour bus. There has been no ruling on the cause of death, though it has been reported that Calvert suffered from asthma and that may have played a role.
The band posted a message on their website Saturday that read, in part, "At this time we're not sure what exactly happened. Just last night he was joking around with everyone before he went to bed. We can say with absolute certainty that he was not doing anything illegal."
Hawthorne Heights was scheduled to play a show in Atlanta tonight, but it was canceled.
Quiet Riot Singer Found Dead in His Vegas Home
Las Vegas Metro Police have confirmed to TMZ that 52-year-old Kevin Dubrow, lead singer for 80's metal band Quiet Riot, was found dead in his Las Vegas home.
We're told one of Dubrow's neighbors found the singer Sunday around 5:20 PM. The Clark County Coroner confirms to TMZ that they are currently examining Dubrow's body to try to determine the cause of death.
Fellow band member Frankie Banali posted this message on his website: "I can't even find words to say. Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend, Kevin DuBrow."
Quiet Riot was the first metal band to top the Billboard charts and are perhaps best known for their cover of "Cum on Feel the Noize"
Donda West Laid to Rest
Kanye West buried his mother, Dr. Donda West, today in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The ceremony was held at the True Vine Ministry church, which can hold up to 2,500 people. Beyonce and Jay-Z attended the services, and John Legend and Anita Baker performed, according to AccessHollywood.com.
Kanye reportedly broke down inside the church while talking about his mother, saying he wanted her to not "rest in peace, but rest in paradise."
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Fake Paris 2006 - 2007
Forget Paris. Natalie Reid -- the heirhead's most famous look-alike -- is hanging up her hair extensions.
"I think I have done Paris to the max," the never-shy 22-year-old tells TMZ. "It gets old after a while, playing the same character, being asked or recognized for the same thing time and time again." That's not hot anymore.
Newly brunette Nat is set to make her legit acting debut on the new TBS series "Frank TV."
"But you know what, I'm still a fun, crazy girl," she insists, showing off a new fake tattoo.
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Martha Stewart's Mom No Longer Living
Martha Stewart announced on her blog that her mother, Martha Kostyra, has passed away. She was 93.
She simply wrote, "I am very sad to tell you that my mom passed away. Here's a tribute to Martha Kostyra -- Big Martha." Martha's mom appeared with her on "Larry King Live" back in 2003.
Martha announced on her show last week that her mother had suffered "a small stroke" and was hospitalized.
Kanye and Donda's Only TV Appearance
Kanye West and his mother Donda appeared only on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" this past May to discuss "Raising Kanye," Donda's book about her experience as his mom and manager. At one point, Ellen asks Kanye if he's a mama's boy -- check out his reaction.
Dr. Donda West spent 31 years as an educator, 24 of those years at Chicago State University, before retiring to become her son's manager. She was only 58 when she died Saturday night.
Ellen will be doing a tribute to Kanye and his mother on this Wednesday's show. Check your local listings.
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Fire Dept. Called to Donda West's Home
TMZ has learned Dr. Donda West was at her home when 911 was called.
We're told that at 7:35 PM Saturday night, paramedics responded to a 911 call and transported West to nearby Centinela Freeman Hospital in Marina del Rey. We're told it was a "sick person call."
A hospital spokesperson tells TMZ that an unresponsive West was brought to their ER around 8:00 PM Saturday night. They attempted to resuscitate her, but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead around 8:30 PM that night.
Kanye's Mom Had Multiple Procedures
TMZ has learned Donda West, Kanye's mom, may have died as a result of a "combined procedure."
There are reports that one of the procedures was liposuction. We do not know the nature of the other procedure or procedures.
Story developing ...
L.A. County Coroner Investigating West's Death
The L.A. County Coroner confirms to TMZ that they are investigating the death of Donda West due to possible complications from cosmetic surgery.
They will be performing an autopsy this week.
We're also told West, who was 58, died at Centinela Hospital in Marina del Rey.
West was a former chairwoman of Chicago State University's English department, and headed up the company for Kanye's West Brands endeavors. She also handled the non-profit Kanye West Foundation, which seeks to increase literacy and reduce dropout rates.
Story developing ...
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Evidence of When Kanye's Mom Died
Sources have confirmed to TMZ that Donda West, rapper Kanye West's mother, may have died either on the operating table or shortly after the procedure while in a recovery room.
Here's what we know: Sources tell us several months ago, West was scheduled for cosmetic surgery and she had been booked at Le Palais Chantique in Century City, a posh, hotel-like recovery center. We're told West postponed the surgery and therefore never showed up at Chantique.
There are two high-end recovery centers in L.A.; Chantique and Serenity in Santa Monica. TMZ has confirmed West was not taken to either facility this weekend.
If the fatal mishap was the result of a cosmetic surgery procedure, we're told the likelihood is that the complication arose either on the operating table or in the recovery room. The critical time things typically go wrong is in the first two hours after surgery.
Kanye West's Mother Dies -- A Mystery
Kanye West's mother, Dr. Donda West, 58, has died. Multiple reports indicate that Dr. West's death may have been a result of complications from some sort of surgery.
Kanye was in London when he was told. He is on his way back to the U.S.
West often spoke about the close relationship he shared with his mother. Dr. West worked as the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University before retiring to become her son's manager.
Kanye's mom was the CEO of West Brands, LLC at the time of her death. She was also Chair of the Kanye West Foundation.
Kanye's writing partner, Rhymefest, confirmed Dr. West's death on Chicago radio station 107.5 WGCI, calling her a "mother for the community and a mother for one of Chicago's greatest heroes."
Calls to Kanye's management were not immediately returned.
Wrestling Legend Fabulous Moolah Dies
The most famous and recognized woman wrestler, Fabulous Moolah, passed away last night in South Carolina, the WWE announced today. She was 84.
Born Lillian Ellison, the WWE says that she "was the longest reigning champion in the history of her chosen sport, or any sport for that matter." She even held the title as recently as 1999, becoming the oldest champion in the history of wrestling.
She was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame back in 1995, the first female wrestler to receive the honor.
"God Warrior" Perrin's Daughter Dies in Car Crash
Marguerite Perrin, the God-obsessed shrew who infamously lost it on FOX's "Trading Spouses," after returning to her family, has lost her daughter Ashley in a car crash.
Ashley Perrin, 25, was driving on Interstate 55 in Ponchatoula, La., reports the Hammond Star, when her minivan hit a guard rail. According to cops, Ashley "was ejected" from the vehicle and died at the scene, but the cause of the accident is unknown. Ashley leaves an 8-year-old daughter.
The victim's mother is best known for her "God Warrior" ranting, particularly trying to throw FOX cameras out of her house when she returned to her family, and initially refusing to accept the $50,000 prize money -- because it was "tainted" and "dark-sided."
Marcel Marceau, Master of Pantomime, Dies at 84
"Bewitched" Star Alice Ghostley Dies at 81
Alice Ghostley, who was best known for playing Esmeralda on "Bewitched" and Bernice on "Designing Women," has died at 81. Ghostley died Friday at her home in Studio City after a long battle with colon cancer and a series of strokes.
Ms. Ghostley won a Tony for best featured actress in, "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window." Ghostley's film credits include, "To Kill a Mockingbird," "The Graduate," "Gator" and "Grease."
Alice Ghostley was married to actor Felice Orlandi, who died in 2003, and is survived by her sister, Gladys.
"Match Game's" Brett Somers Dead at 83
"Match Game" vet Brett Somers passed away from stomach and colon cancer at her Connecticut home on Saturday. She was 83.
Somers, the grandmother of the Mary-Kate Olsen/Nicole Richie oversized sunglasses trend, was known for her dry wit and humor as one of the celebrity panelists on the memorable '70s game show, which experienced renewed interest in repeats on the Game Show Network.
Ms. Somers married actor Jack Klugman in 1953 and played his ex-wife on the long-running series, "The Odd Couple." Although they separated in 1974, the couple never divorced.
Somers is survived by Klugman, her two sons, Adam and David, and a daughter, Leslie.