RIP

Tom Davis, the comedic genius behind some classic "Saturday Night Live" skits ... died from neck and throat cancer today.

Davis and Al Franken were the comedic duo responsible for writing several of the bits that helped make Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd huge stars in the early days of 'SNL.'

Davis died at his home in a New York City suburb. He was diagnosed with cancer back in 2009.

A couple of legendary gems on Davis' 'SNL' resume include "Coneheads" and "Nick the Lounge Singer."

UPDATE 10:22 PM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell us ... Sage's death does NOT appear to be a suicide. We're told there was NO suicide note found at the scene.

Sources tell us officials DID find "numerous empty pill bottles" in the area where Sage's body was discovered. No word on what types of medication the pill bottles were for.

We're told an autopsy is scheduled for some time in the next 48 hours.

UPDATE 5:15 PM PT: Sylvester Stallone's rep, Michelle Bega, tells TMZ, "Sylvester Stallone is devastated and grief-stricken over the sudden loss of his son Sage Stallone. His compassion and thoughts are with Sage's mother, Sasha. Sage was a very talented and wonderful young man. His loss will be felt forever."

6:04 PM PT: Now here's a crazy picture -- the L.A. County Coroner van, flanked by a celebrity tour filled with snap-happy tourists. Welcome to Hollywood, folks.

Sage Stallone -- Sylvester Stallone's son -- has died and sources tell us the cause was an overdose of pills.

The details surrounding the death are still unclear .. but we're told he was found in his L.A. home by either a maid or his girlfriend. Paramedics were called to the home and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Sources tell us authorities are trying to determine if the death was intentional or accidental.

We're told Sylvester is a "wreck."

Sage famously made his film debut alongside his father in the 1990 movie "Rocky 5" -- playing the role of Rocky's son Robert Balboa.

He went on to act and direct in several films ... including the 1996 film "Daylight."

Sage's mother is Sasha Czack.

Ernest Borgnine, the legendary actor perhaps best known for his role in the movie "Marty," passed away today at the age of 95.

His longtime spokesman, Harry Flynn, told The Associated Press that Borgnine died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with his family by his side.

Borgnine won an Oscar for "Marty" in 1955 and also starred in movies such as "From Here to Eternity" and "Bad Day at Black Rock."

On the small screen, Borgnine played Quinton McHale in the 1960s show "McHale's Navy."

Borgnine served a total of 10 years in the United States Navy, the last four coming after he re-enlisted when the U.S. entered World War II.

Police in Andy Griffith's hometown in North Carolina are in the black after the Hollywood legend's death this week -- wearing black ribbons in memory of the actor ... for the next 7 days.

Sheriff Graham Atkinson of the Surry County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ, the ribbons will be tied to all Surry County patrol cars for the next week, beginning today.

Andy Griffith only passed away a few hours ago -- but TMZ has learned, the Hollywood icon has already been buried.

A rep for Twiford Funeral Homes in Manteo, North Carolina tells us, Andy was buried at 11:30 AM on his family farm on Roanoke Island. We're told Andy had previously requested to be buried immediately after his death ... so that's why it all happened so fast.

We made calls to find out if Andy was embalmed. No one was talking, but we're told it's legal in North Carolina to bury people without embalming them.

We're told Andy's burial followed a small, private service with close friends and family in attendance.

The people who run the Andy Griffith Museum in his birthplace of Mount Airy, North Carolina tell TMZ they are "brokenhearted" over the death of the TV icon ... saying "We are blessed to have known him."

Tanya Jones -- the Executive Director of the Surry Arts Council -- also oversees the AGM ... which contains the largest collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia in the world.

Jones tells us, "Andy Griffith means the world to the arts everywhere -- not just here in Mt. Airy. His contribution to us, the Surry Arts Council, and the town of Mount Airy cannot be measured."

She adds, "We are blessed to have known him. We will cherish his art, his music, his talent, and of course, our beloved Andy Griffith Show."

"Our prayers and love go out to Cindi. We know that Andy is at peace and that is what is important right now."

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.