RIP

Legendary Hollywood composer Marvin Hamlisch -- one of the few people in the world to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award -- suffered from brain damage in the weeks before his death but ultimately succumbed to lung failure, this according to his death certificate.

TMZ obtained the document, filed in L.A., which shows Hamlisch died on August 6th primarily from respiratory arrest (lung failure) ... caused by a combination of anoxic brain encephalopathy (failure of oxygen to reach the brain) and hypertension (high blood pressure).

The document shows Hamlisch suffered from A.B.E. in the weeks before his death, though it's unclear if he was aware of the condition or exhibiting symptoms.

Hamlisch won 2 Academy Awards for composing the music for "The Way We Were" and one Oscar for "The Sting." He also worked on music for "Sophie's Choice," "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "A Chorus Line."

Joey Kovar -- the troubled "Real World" star who appeared on "Celebrity Rehab" -- was found dead at a friend's home near Chicago this morning ... and family members believe drugs are to blame ... TMZ has learned.

Kovar was 29 years old.

Kovar's rep tells TMZ ... Joey was discovered by a female friend early this morning who noticed blood coming out of Joey's ears and nose.

The woman called 911 ... and authorities rushed to the scene where he was pronounced dead.

Kovar had famously battled drug issues -- and sought help for cocaine and ecstasy during his stint on "Celeb Rehab."

While on "Real World: Hollywood," Kovar entered rehab halfway through the season for alcohol and drugs, admitting he'd struggled with substance abuse for years. It was a pretty powerful moment on the show.

Robert Wayne Birch, a bass guitarist who played with Elton John and Billy Joel among many other huge artists, is dead after apparently having shot and killed himself this morning ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Birch was found around the corner from his home, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. We're told all signs point to a self-inflicted wound.

We're told authorities have not found a suicide note and there were no apparent signs of drug use.

Birch has been playing with Elton John since 1992, and was also involved in the biggest single of all time, "Candle in the Wind 1997."

Birch has also performed with legends like Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Cher, Sting, The Backstreet Boys, The Spice Girls, Clint Black and many others.

Here's Birch with Elton last year on David Letterman -- one of their final live performances together.

Ron Palillo -- the actor who played Horshack on "Welcome Back, Kotter" -- died this morning at his home near Palm Beach, FL from an apparent heart attack ... this according to someone close to the actor.

We're told Palillo was found by his partner of many years Joseph Gramm around 4:00 AM. Gramm called an ambulance and Palillo was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

We're told the heart attack was very unexpected. Palillo was 63.

According to one of Palillo's colleagues at G-Star School of the Arts, Palillo had appeared to be in good health ... but was a heavy smoker. We're told he had been suffering from a bad cough and had even scheduled a doctor's appointment for today.

Palillo was known for calling out, "Ooh ooh ooh, Mr. Kotter" as one of the Sweathogs on the show ... which he appeared on with John Travolta from 1975 to 1979.

After Kotter, Palillo appeared in "Laverne & Shirley" and voiced a character on the Disney cartoon, "Darkwing Duck."

Palillo's "Kotter" co-star Robert Hegyes -- who played Epstein -- also passed away earlier this year after suffering a heart attack.

Evelyn Lozada is mourning her brother-in-law, who died tonight after a long battle with cancer ... TMZ has learned.

Anthony Ochoa who was married to Evelyn's sister Sylvia, made several appearances on "Basketball Wives" ... and just last month he escorted Evelyn down the aisle for her wedding to Chad Johnson.

We're told Anthony was featured prominently in the reality show about the wedding. As TMZ first reported ... VH1 has decided not to air the show after Chad's arrest for domestic battery.

We're told Anthony was surrounded by family members when he passed away in New York City.

Evelyn tells TMZ, "Anthony was an amazing husband, father, and brother-in-law. He will be dearly missed."

Anthony and Sylvia were married for more than 10 years, and had 2 children.

Former Kottonmouth Kings member Pakelika -- known as the "Visual Assassin" -- died Saturday night due to health complications.

The hip-hop-punk-rock band posted on Facebook early Saturday evening, announcing their former bandmate and hype man had been admitted to the hospital with "serious heath issues."

An hour later they updated the post to confirm his passing, saying, "It is with saddened hearts we have heard that Pakelika has passed away. May his soul rest in peace. Thanks for all the years & all the memories, respect Kmk."

Sherman Hemsley -- the actor famous for playing George Jefferson on "The Jeffersons" -- died as a result of a cancerous mass on his lung ... this according to the El Paso County Texas Medical Examiner.

According to the Postmortem Report, obtained by TMZ, the primary cause of death is listed as "superior vena cava syndrome" -- a complication resulting from a mass on Sherman's lung.

According to the report, Sherman had been advised to get chemo and radiation therapy before he succumbed to his illness. It's unclear if Sherman was a smoker.

TMZ broke the story ... Sherman was found dead last month in his El Paso, TX home at the age of 74.

The oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid was found dead this morning in a dorm room at Lehigh University, this according to several reports.

The Lehigh University Chief of Police confirmed that Garrett Reid, 29, was found dead at Eagles training camp after a 911 call was placed at 7:20 AM ET. Reid was in camp assisting strength coaches.

Police said that at this point there is no evidence of foul play and the coroner’s office said that an investigation is ongoing.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman announced the news to the press this morning, saying of Reid, "He's been strong for us, we’re going to be strong for him right now."

Reid had a troubled past which included multiple drug-related arrests.

"Selena" actress Lupe Ontiveros was laid to rest at a funeral in Southern California today ... surrounded by family, politicians and some of her famous friends.

Lupe's "Desperate Housewives" co-star Eva Longoria was among the famous faces ... along with Wilmer Valderrama and Edward James Olmos ... who appeared with Lupe in a Broadway play.

As we previously reported, Lupe -- who famously portrayed Selena's killer in the 1990 biopic -- passed away on July 26 ... after a battle with liver cancer.

She was 69 years old.

A key member of the Chick-fil-A public relations department died of a heart attack this morning ... this in the middle of the biggest PR crisis the fast food chain has ever faced.

Chick-fil-A released a statement saying, "We are saddened to report the news to you that our dear friend Don Perry, vice president of public relations, passed away suddenly this morning."

As Chick-fil-A came under fire for its stance against gay marriage ... Perry spoke on behalf of the restaurant chain in an effort to smooth things over with the public ... promising to "leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”

Chick-fil-A added, "Don was a member of our Chick-fil-A family for nearly 29 years. He was a well-respected and well-liked media executive in the Atlanta and University of Georgia communities, and we will all miss him."

Usher's 11-year-old stepson -- who tragically died last week after a jet ski accident -- has been laid to rest following his funeral today.

As we reported, Kyle Glover -- the son of Usher's ex-wife Tameka Raymond (pictured in the sunglasses) was declared brain dead following the accident earlier this month, and eventually passed away on Saturday from the injuries he sustained.

According to sources, Glover was riding in an inner tube on Georgia's Lake Lanier July 6th when he was struck in the head by a passing jet ski. He was unresponsive when taken out of the water.

Jennifer Lopez has released a statement, saying, "I am tremendously saddened by the news of Lupe's passing! I've enjoyed her work throughout the years. She was a great actress and working with her in Selena was an unforgettable experience. She will truly be missed."

Prolific Mexican-American character actress Lupe Ontiveros, best known for playing the convicted murderer of the Tejano singer in "Selena," has died. She was 69.

Ontiveros was reportedly suffering from liver cancer.

Lupe's "Selena" co-star Jacob Vargas was at her bedside last night and tweeted, "My friend Lupe Ontiveros just passed away. May you rest in peace. Thank you for your great contribution to film and TV. You will be missed."

Some of Lupe's long list of other credits include "The Goonies," "As Good As it Gets," Hill Street Blues" and "Desperate Housewives" -- for which she was nominated for an Emmy.

Ontiveros is survived by her husband and three adult children.

Sherman Hemsley will not undergo an autopsy ... and the medical examiner has confirmed that he died of natural causes.

El Paso police say they do not suspect foul play in the actor's death. The ME's office did say Hemsley had been ill, but did not elaborate.

As TMZ first reported ... Hemsley died yesterday in his El Paso home. He was most famous for playing TV's George Jefferson -- first on "All in the Family", and then on the spinoff "The Jeffersons."

He was 74.

1:58 PM PT -- Sources tell us ... Hemsley was discovered by his nurse ... who initially believed the actor was asleep. Once she realized something was wrong, she called for help.

Sherman Hemsley, the actor who made the character George Jefferson famous in "The Jeffersons," has died, El Paso cops tell TMZ.

Hemsley died at his home in El Paso, Texas.

Sources tell us ... it appears Hemsley died from natural causes.

Hemsley, who was 74, became famous during his appearances on "All in the Family." The spin-off, "The Jeffersons" was a monster hit. He also starred in the TV show, "Amen." He was also a professional singer and even released the single in 1989, "Ain't that A Kick in the Head."

Hemsley had no wife and no kids. It's unclear how he died.

Sally Ride -- the first American woman to enter space -- died today in California after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sally's company, Sally Ride Science, made the announcement. Sally was 61.

Ride joined NASA in 1978, and in 1983 became the first American woman to enter space. At the time, she was also the youngest American to enter space at age 32.

In 1987, Sally left NASA to work at Stanford's Center for International Security and Arms Control.

R.I.P.

Usher's 11-year-old stepson has passed away this morning from injuries suffered in a tragic jetski accident in Georgia earlier this month ... TMZ has learned.

According to our sources, Tameka is understandably devastated.

Glover was injured on July 8 ... as he was riding in an inner tube that was connected to a pontoon in Lake Lanier. According to authorities, a family friend who was riding a jetski behind the pontoon lost control and collided with Glover's tube.