'Grace Under Fire' Star Dies from Heart Failure

Published | Updated

Peggy Rea -- who starred in several shows including "Dukes of Hazzard," "Grace Under Fire," and "Step by Step" -- died last weekend at her home in California.

Rea -- who also appeared in "I Love Lucy," "The Odd Couple," and "MacGyver" -- passed away on Saturday from congestive heart failure.

She was 89.

'Deadliest Catch' Star Honored -- One Year After Death

Published | Updated

It's been one year since "Deadliest Catch" star Captain Phil Harris passed away -- and TMZ has learned his sons will honor his memory in the place they felt closest to him ... on a fishing boat.

We're told Jake and Josh Harris are currently on board the boat their dad made famous -- the F/V Cornelia Marie because they feel their dad would have wanted them to treat the day like any other day ... and continue to run the family business.

Sources close to the family tells us the boys just wrapped up a successful season of Opilio crabbing and are now headed to Kodiak, AK for cleaning and repairs.

As we previously reported, both Jake and Josh have expressed interest in following in Phil's footsteps ... and captain their own boats one day.

Thin Lizzy Guitarist Dies in Spain

Published | Updated

Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore died this weekend at a hotel in Spain at the age of 58.

So far, no official cause of death has been released -- but the British tabloid The Sun is reporting that Moore was "drinking heavily" during a bender the night before his body was discovered.

Story developing ...

Jack LaLanne Honored By Three Fitness ICONS

Published | Updated

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno and Richard Simmons each brought their legendary physiques to Jack LaLanne's memorial service in L.A. yesterday to honor the late, great "Godfather of Fitness."

The famous fit club joined Jack's widow Elaine and his son at the Forest Lawn service.

LaLanne died on Jan. 23rd at the age of 96.

'Cake Boss' Star Dead at 63

Published | Updated

Sal Picinich -- the baker of the TLC series "Cake Boss" -- has died of cancer at the age of 63.

Sal worked for 45 years at Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, NJ, where the show is taped.

He is survived by his wife Lucille and two sons.

Jack LaLanne's Son -- I'm Taking Over the Family Biz

Published | Updated

Jack LaLanne's son says he is ready to carry on the family business ... and will take over his father's role as the company's official ultra-fit spokesperson.

TMZ spoke with Jon LaLanne (pictured right) -- one of Jack's three children -- who told us, "Though we are saddened by our father's passing, the overwhelming response from fans and the media has made us all feel he is still with us."

Jon added, "I plan to carry on the family business. I will be alongside my mother Elaine, my wife Lora, my brother Dan and my sister Yvonne touring the country preaching my father's common sense approach to a longer and better life."

Jon is an accomplished businessman himself -- running a successful surf board company aptly named "LaLa."

Jack LaLanne Dead at 96

Published | Updated

Fitness legend Jack LaLanne died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia Sunday afternoon at his home in California. He was 96.

LaLanne hosted a popular workout show for several decades, opened a chain of gyms, and created a popular line of juicers.

His agent said he worked out and exercised every day of his life, even up until the end.

German Porn Star Dies After Botched BOOB JOB

Published | Updated

A German porn star -- who appeared on the German edition of "Big Brother" --died yesterday due to complications from a breast enhancement surgery gone terribly wrong.

23-year-old "Sexy Cora" was reportedly trying to enhance her bra size from an F to a G cup ... when she fell into a coma during the operation and died 9 days later.

According to published reports, the two doctors who performed the surgery have been charged with negligent manslaughter.

Cora's husband told a German newspaper, '"The brain damage was too great. Her blood pressure dropped steadily, physiological functions gave out ... then she went to sleep quietly."

'Rock' Legend Don Kirshner Dies

Published | Updated

Rock music promoter and producer Don Kirshner died today of heart failure in Boca Raton, Florida.

Don gave future superstars like The Police and Billy Joel early national exposure -- and also worked with everyone from Carole King and Bobby Darin to Black Sabbath and the Allman Brothers.

In the 70s, he hosted "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" on ABC.

Don was 76.

'Broadcast' Singer Trish Keenan Dies from Pneumonia

Published | Updated

Trish Keenan -- founder and singer of the UK-based band "Broadcast" -- died this morning due to complications from pneumonia ... after battling the illness for two weeks.

Her record label posted a statement on their website -- which reads, "It is with great sadness we announce that Trish Keenan from Broadcast passed away at 9am this morning in hospital. She died from complications with pneumonia after battling the illness for two weeks in intensive care."

Keenan was 42.

David Nelson -- 'Ozzie and Harriet' Star -- Dead

Published | Updated

David Nelson who starred in one of the most popular sitcoms ever -- "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" -- is dead at the age of 74.

Nelson was the last surviving member of the cast. The show, which ran from 1952 - 1966, featured David, his brother Ricky (who was also a huge singer), and parents Ozzie and Harriet.

Ricky Nelson -- who's hits include "Garden Party" and "Hello Mary Lou" and "Travelin' Man" -- died at age 45 in a plane crash in 1985.

David -- who died of complications from colon cancer -- is survived by his wife and five children.

Bill Erwin Dead at 96

Published | Updated

Bill Erwin -- a famed character actor whose career lasted nearly 60 years -- died on December 29 of natural causes.

Erwin is probably best known to younger audiences for his guest role on "Seinfeld" -- but he appeared in numerous shows, including "I Love Lucy," "Perry Mason," "Leave It to Beaver," "The Twilight Zone," "Gunsmoke," "The Golden Girls," "Growing Pains" and "Who's the Boss?"

He was 96.

Peter Postlethwaite Dead at 64

Published | Updated

Oscar-nominated character actor Peter Postlethwaite has died after a long battle with cancer at the age of 64.

Peter died Sunday in a hospital near his English home.

Nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 1993 film "In the Name of the Father," Postlethwaite also starred in movies like "The Usual Suspects," The Lost World" and most recently in "Inception" and "The Town."

Postlethwaite is survived by his wife and two children.

MJ Estate: Discovery Channel is 'Debased, Sick'

Published | Updated

Michael Jackson's estate is unleashing its fury on Discovery Channel for advertising an upcoming TV special set to run in the UK featuring a reenactment of MJ's autopsy.

Co-Executors John Branca and John McClain fired off a vitriolic letter to the Prez of Discovery -- obtained by TMZ -- in which they accuse the network of operating in "shockingly bad taste ... motivated solely by your blind desire to exploit Michael's death, while cynically attempting to dupe the public into believing this show will have serious medical value."

The Co-Executors are particularly outraged by a print ad, depicting a corpse sprawled on a gurney, covered by a sheet with a sequined glove sticking out.

Branca and McClain apparently realize they can't legally stop the show -- set to air on January 13 -- but they are appealing to Discovery's moral decency to cancel the program.

Teena Marie Death -- No Illegal Drugs Found

Published | Updated

No illegal drugs were found at the home where singer Teena Marie's body was discovered yesterday ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

We're told officials searched Teena's home in Pasadena , CA -- but only found some herbal medication -- and we're not talking marijuana.

We're told an autopsy and toxicology tests will be performed on her body later this week -- but so far, officials are leaning towards the theory that she died of natural causes.

As we previously reported, Teena -- once considered Rick James' protégée -- suffered a grand mal seizure just one month ago.

'Lovergirl' Singer Teena Marie Dead at 54

Published | Updated

Grammy nominated singer Teena Marie -- once known as Rick James' protégée -- died in her sleep last night at her home in Pasadena at the age of 54 ... TMZ has confirmed with Teena's rep Lynn Jeter.

Relatives found Teena's body Sunday morning at her home. Relatives tell TMZ Teena seemed fine yesterday, when she spent Christmas with her brother. Teena spoke at length yesterday with Lynn, who tells TMZ Teena seemed "fine."

So far it's unclear what caused the singer's death -- but the Pasadena Police Department tells TMZ they do not suspect foul play. They say it looks like Teena died of natural causes. The L.A. County Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy.

We're told Teena had a seizure a month ago, but it's unclear what triggered it.

Marie was nominated for a Grammy four times ... her first top ten hit was "I'm Just a Sucker for Your Love."

Story developing...