RIP

8:15 AM -- Ron Howard ‏just went to Twitter to post a message about his friend Andy Griffith ... writing, "His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life I'm forever grateful RIP Andy."

Andy Griffith, an icon of TV, has died ... this according to Andy's close friend, former UNC President Bill Friday.

Griffith, who became famous for "The Andy Griffith Show," passed away at his home in Manteo, North Carolina this morning.

Friday broke the news to WITN News in North Carolina.

In addition to starring in his show and producing the subsequent "Mayberry R.F.D.," Griffith was a Grammy award-winning southern gospel singer. Of course, Griffith also starred in the long-running series, "Matlock" and often made guest appearances in other shows, including "Dawson's Creek."

There's a famous statue of Andy and Opie -- played by Ron Howard -- in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Griffith was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2005.

Charlie Sheen's former assistant -- the man many claim was behind Charlie's drug binge last year -- was found dead, and TMZ has learned cops found a pharmacy full of drugs.

Rick Calamaro, who was in and out of Charlie's life for years, was found dead in his L.A. apartment yesterday, although it appears he was dead for several days.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... cops found "numerous pain medications and an open bottle of alcohol."

Rick was a club promoter who knew Charlie decades ago and some believe he supplied Sheen with drugs over the years.

Rick -- whom many Charlie insiders blamed for the actor's craziness in 2011 -- was with Charlie on the trip where Charlie trashed his room at The Plaza Hotel during a dispute with Capri Anderson.

Sad day in the world of standardized testing ... the genius who invented Scantron has passed away.

Michael Sokolski -- who co-founded Scantron in 1972 -- died June 13 at the age of 85 ... after suffering from congestive heart failure.

Sokolski didn't just change the world of education ... after WW2, he fought with Polish Forces under the British Eighth Army Command from 1945 to 1947 ... and was honored with the Italy Star and War Medal for his service.

Pencils down.

Don Grady -- who played one of the sons on the TV classic, "My Three Sons" -- has died at the age of 68 ... this according to one of his co-stars.

"Sons" star Barry Livingston just posted on Facebook, "My dear friend and TV brother Don Grady passed away today. He was an inspiration to me in so many ways."

Grady had reportedly been suffering from cancer.

Grady was an original Mouseketeer on the "Mickey Mouse Club" ... before going on to play the role of Robbie Douglas on "My Three Sons" from 1960 to 1972.

Grady was also a pretty successful musician ... he's credited with writing the music for the Ellen Barkin movie "Switch" ... and the theme song for "The Phil Donahue Show."

Grady is survived by his wife Ginny and their two children.

Billy Crystal -- who starred in one of Nora Ephron's greatest films "When Harry Met Sally" -- is crushed by her death ... saying, "I am very sad to learn of Nora's passing. She was a brilliant writer and humorist."

Crystal issued a statement shortly after the Hollywood icon died, adding, "Being her Harry to Meg's Sally will always have a special place in my heart ... I was very lucky to get to say her words."

Nora Ephron -- the legendary Hollywood writer who penned the screenplays for "Sleepless in Seattle" and "When Harry Met Sally" -- died Tuesday after a battle with leukemia.

According to Ephron's son Jacob Bernstein, the 71-year-old had been suffering from acute myeloid leukemia ... and took a turn for the worse in recent days after coming down with pneumonia.

Ephron scored 3 Academy Award nominations in her illustrious Hollywood career ... and was widely considered one of the most powerful women in the entertainment industry.

Among her most memorable films ... "Silkwood" ... "My Blue Heaven" ... "Michael" ... "You've Got Mail" ... and "Julie and Julia."

Ephron was married to (and famously divorced) Watergate scandal reporter Carl Bernstein ... before entering her 3rd (and final) marriage to screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi.

It's the Kardashian family's creepiest shopping spree ever -- Kim and co. hit up a famous cemetery in Hollywood yesterday ... to purchase space for their DEAD BODIES.

Sources close to the Kardashian klan tell us, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Rob, Bruce and Kris all stopped by the Hollywood Forever cemetery to buy a family plot. We're told they haven't picked out the exact place yet, but scoped out several locations ... including a giant mausoleum.

Right now, we're told the major logistical concern is size -- Kim and her sisters aren't sure how many kids they'll have ... but they want plenty of room for all. Like we said -- creepy.

FYI -- Kim's dad Robert Kardashian is buried in another cemetery.

Three years ago today, the world mourned the death of Farrah Fawcett ... for about 5 minutes ... until Michael Jackson died ... and overshadowed the loss of Charlie's most famous Angel.

But today, Farrah's baby daddy Ryan O'Neal honored her memory with a shirt featuring the TV icon ... who passed away after a long battle with anal cancer.

The image on the shirt is Farrah's most famous photo -- taken in 1976 -- and went on to become one of the best selling posters in history.

Farrah was 62 years old.

UPDATE 9:27 AM PT -- According to our sources, King's fiancée is telling friends King had been drinking and smoked weed in the hours before his death.

Rodney King -- the man who was at the center of the infamous Los Angeles riots -- was found dead this morning in Rialito, CA. He was 47.

According to our sources, King's fiancée found him dead at the bottom of the pool (see photo of the pool below, taken today).

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they responded to a call at 5:25 AM PT. We're told they physically removed King from the pool and attempted CPR.

Our sources say he was pronounced dead at 6:11 AM.

Law enforcement sources say Rialto PD will open a drowning investigation, but so far there are no signs of foul play.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck released a statement today saying, "Rodney King has a unique spot in both the history of Los Angeles and the LAPD. What happened on that cool March night over two decades ago forever changed me and the organization I love. His legacy should not be the struggles and troubles of his personal life but the immensely positive change his existence wrought on this City and its Police Department."

King became famous in 1991 when he was the victim of police brutality at the hands of the LAPD. The officers involved in the incident were acquitted the following year and the announcement of the verdict led to the Los Angeles riots.

TMZ spoke with King about two months ago, where he seemed upbeat and introspective.

Yvette Wilson, one of the stars of "Moesha" ... died at the age of 48 yesterday after battling cervical cancer, TMZ has confirmed.

Wilson, played Moesha's friend Andell Wilkerson through 5 seasons of the hit show -- and she played the same role in the spinoff "The Parkers."

Wilson's cancer was Stage 4 when she passed away.

Ray Liotta says he BARELY knew his "Goodfellas" inspiration Henry Hill -- despite playing him in one of the biggest gangster movies ever -- but now that Hill's gone ... Ray feels like a part of himself is gone too.

Ray tells us, "Although I played Henry Hill in the movie ‘Goodfellas’ I only met him a few short times so I can’t say I knew him but, I do know he lived a complicated life."

Ray adds, "My heart goes out to his family and may he finally rest in peace.”

Henry Hill -- the former mobster whose life story became the basis for the movie "Goodfellas" -- died today at the age of 69 ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ spoke with Hill's girlfriend Lisa ... who told us Hill passed away in an L.A. hospital Tuesday after a long battle with an undisclosed illness.

Lisa tells us, "He had been sick for a long time ... his heart gave out."

We're told Hill had focused on mending relationships with estranged family members in recent years ... and Lisa tells us he had made tremendous progress before he died.

Hill leaves behind two children.

Hill was famously portrayed by Ray Liotta in the 1990 classic "Goodfellas."

A former member of the iconic rock band Fleetwood Mac was found dead at his Nashville home today after shooting himself -- this according to Nashville Police.

66-year-old Bob Welch's body was found by his wife around noon. According to police, Bob shot himself in the chest.

Police say Welch -- who had health issues recently -- left a suicide note.

Science fiction legend Ray Bradbury -- author of "Fahrenheit 451" and "Something Wicked this Way Comes" -- has died.

According to reports, Ray passed away this morning in L.A. He was 91.

Among Ray's other works -- "The Illustrated Man" and "The Martian Chronicles." Much of his work has been adapted to TV and film.

Ray's grandson told io9.com, "If I had to make any statement, it would be how much I love and miss him ... He was the biggest kid I know."

Ray famously criticized technology and the modern age, opposing his own work's conversion into e-books, saying, "We have too many cell phones. We've got too many internets. We have got to get rid of those machines. We have too many machines now."

Richard Dawson, the legendary host of "Family Feud," has died from complications due to esophageal cancer ... this according to his son.

Gary Dawson posted a Facebook message early this morning that read:

"It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my father passed away this evening from complications due to esophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was an amazing talent, a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grandfather. He will be missed but always remembered..."

Dawson hosted "Feud" from 1976-1985, and then from 1994-1995. He was also famous for being a regular on "The Match Game" and for appearing in the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger action film "The Running Man." One of his biggest roles -- Dawson played Capt. Peter Newkirk on "Hogan's Heros," a wildly popular show in the 60's.

Prior to Gretchen, Dawson was married to Diana Dors, a sex symbol back in the day. They had 2 sons.

Steve Harvey, the current host of "Family Feud," tweeted today, "I have been Blessed because of Richard Dawson's work ...the birth of Family Feud. God Bless You Sir- You Were The Best"

Kathryn Joosten, perhaps best known for her role as Karen McKluskey on "Desperate Housewives," died Friday after a long bout with lung cancer. She was 72.

Joosten won Emmys in 2005 and 2008 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on "Housewives." She was nominated for a third time in 2010.

Joosten also played Mrs. Landingham for two seasons on the show "The West Wing."

She was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001 and it returned in September 2009.