RIP

Ted Koppel's son Andrew has died -- reportedly after a drinking binge in NYC.

The 40-year-old was found unconscious and not breathing in an apartment in Washington Heights early Tuesday morning -- and he was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to the Post, Koppel had been drinking all day with Russell Wimberly, a 32-year old waiter he'd just met.

The two ended up at the apartment of one of Wimberly's friends, where he says he told Koppel to sleep it off.

Wimberly and friend Belinda Caban later discovered Andrew wasn't breathing and called 911.

Dennis had been desperately trying to divorce Victoria Hopper -- he filed in January -- but the clock ticked too quickly, and the divorce was not final when he died this morning.

Why the race to split up? Under the prenup, Victoria gets 25% of Dennis' fortune and a $250,000 life insurance payout -- but only if they were married and living together when Dennis died.

That 'living together' part is critical because Victoria has been living in a separate house, on the same property as Dennis. Sources tell us Victoria will argue that since she was on the property, she was living with Dennis -- and is therefore entitled to the big payout.

Dennis' high powered attorney Joe Mannis isn't surprised, saying "She said she would challenge it, and I fully expect her to do so."

The divorce action is officially over now and this all moves to probate court -- where both sides say they're gonna fight.

We're told his family was by his side when he passed.

Hopper had recently been suffering from prostate cancer and going through a difficult divorce from his wife Victoria.

Hopper is best known for starring in the 1969 classic "Easy Rider."

Turns out Vanilla and Gary hit it off when Coleman guest starred on an episode of "The Surreal Life" back in 2004 ... despite the fact that they got into an epic war on the show because Gary wouldn't say, "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

Vanilla -- aka Robert Van Winkle -- tells us, "I'll always remember the time he and I had. He was fun to be around for the most part. Just a good, funny guy."

He adds, "It's almost a Catch-22. He's had such a bad luck life ... I hope he's in a better place."

Gary Coleman has died as the result of injuries he suffered earlier this week, the hospital tells TMZ.

We've learned Gary's wife, Shannon, made the decision to pull life support early this AM.

We're told Coleman died at 12:05 PM MST. He died of a intracranial hemorrhage.

Family members and close friends were at Coleman's side when life support was pulled.

He was 42.

As TMZ first reported, Coleman was rushed to a hospital in Utah after he fell and hurt his head. He was on life support since Thursday.

There will be a press conference at the hospital at 3:00 PM PT.

A rep for Coleman released this statement: "Thanks to everyone for their well wishing and support during this tragic time. Now that Gary has passed, we know he will be missed because of all the love and support shown in the past couple of days. Gary is now at peace and his memory will be kept in the hearts of those who were entertained by him throughout the years."

More Today in TMZ History

• Lohan Busted for DUI
• Mel Gibson -- Yep, She's Knocked Up
• Rosie to Leave 'The View'

• Today in TMZ History

** warning -- the audio contains graphic content **

In the 911 call, obtained by TMZ, the employee -- a maintenance worker at the Iowa hotel -- tells the operator that he suspects Paul died of a "drug overdose" and that it appeared that Paul had been in the room for "a while."

The employee also told the 911 operator that Paul's mother had called the hotel earlier in the day because she couldn't get a hold of her son.

Without their trademark masks, the entire band -- along with Paul's wife -- assembled in Iowa to remember Paul as a "really great friend and person."

Paul Gray, the bassist from the band Slipknot, was found dead in a hotel in Iowa this morning ... this according to local police.

According to the Urbandale Police Dept, an employee at the hotel found Gray's body in his room early this morning.

Cops say they found no evidence of foul play at the scene, but there will be an investigation into Gray's death.

Law enforcement sources say Brittany's mother, Sharon Murphy, found Monjack unconscious in the master bedroom around 9:30PM, and then called 911.

Monjack was pronounced dead sometime after paramedics arrived ... when resuscitation efforts failed.

Monjack reportedly died from cardiac arrest, though nothing officially has been determined.

The similarities are remarkable. Murphy was found unconscious by her mother Sharon. Sharon found Simon unconscious as well. Murphy was found in the master bathroom. Simon was found in the master bedroom of the same home. Paramedics administered CPR to Simon. Simon administered CPR to Brittany. And they may have both died from cardiac arrest ... five months apart.

A death investigation is underway.

His wife, Dorca Astacio, told ESPNdeportes.com, "Jose was complaining while sleeping and I just thought he was having a nightmare ... I called the paramedics, but they couldn't help him."

A rep for the L.A. County Coroner tells TMZ the death is now under investigation, but that there are no signs of foul play.

Tragedy has once again struck John Travolta's family -- two dogs belonging to the actor were killed on Thursday in a freak airport accident.

In an email sent to the Bangor Daily News, city officials said, "At approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010 an airplane carrying members of the John Travolta family landed at BIA [Bangor International Airport in Maine]."

Officials said "someone who is not a family member" took the two dogs for a walk when an airport service truck approached the jet and accidentally struck and killed the dogs.

Ronnie James Dio -- who took over as lead singer of Black Sabbath after Ozzy Osbourne left the group -- died today. He was 67.

Dio announced last summer he was battling stomach cancer. According to his website, he had been undergoing treatment at a Houston hospital.

Dio is often credited for popularizing the "devil's horn" hand gesture in metal culture.

TMZ spoke with a rep from the "Original Michael Jackson Fans of Southern California" who told us they visit the site at least once a month -- and always flood the place with gifts and flowers. The group claims they've documented all of their trips with pictures like the one shown above, which was taken April 3rd.

As we previously reported, LMP had posted a message on her MySpace page yesterday, claiming there was too much "empty space" around the site and called for fans to step it up and send flowers.

But the rep from OMJFSC tells us, "You know what, we all know that we visit Michael once a month ... so like everything else we just have to find comfort in the fact that we know the truth.

LMP just posted a message on her MySpace page describing her recent visit to Michael's grave site at Forest Lawn. Presley -- who was married to MJ back in the '90s -- says she believes Michael "deserves more" than the "few bouquets, candles and gifts" that currently surround Michael's grave.

Presley -- who notes Michael's infatuation with sunflowers -- is calling for fans to send a "Sun Shower" to the tomb because, "I know how much he loved and appreciated being showered with Gifts andflowers by his fans."

Actress Lynn Redgrave passed away at her home in Connecticut Sunday night after a 7 year battle with breast cancer. She was 67.

Redgrave was a two-time Oscar nominee -- for "Georgy Girl" and "Gods and Monsters" -- and was also nominated for three Tony awards.

She was the younger sister of actress Vanessa Redgrave and her niece was Natasha Richardson, who passed away last year.

Paramedics responded to a report of a shooting at Lopez's home in Encino at around 11:30 AM. Cops tell TMZ his death is being investigated as an apparent suicide.

Bach married Lopez -- who was one of Michael Jackson's music attorneys -- in 1990. They have two children together.