RIP

The family of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes' feels betrayed by TLC's decision to re-record "Waterfalls" with a Japanese pop star ... because no one even bothered to tell them.

T-Boz and Chili recently released a new version of the group's 90's hit -- in honor of their 20th anniversary. Instead of keeping Left Eye (who died in 2002) on the recording, they replaced her with Namie Amuro (think Britney Spears of Japan).

Left Eye's sister, Reigndrop Lopes, is extremely disappointed, telling TMZ, "I did not know about it until a fan posted it online. I mean it would have been nice if they would have given us a heads up before being surprised."

Reigndrop says her mom was shocked and hurt as well ... because she felt keeping Lisa on the song would have honored her daughter's memory.

Despite her disappointment, Reigndrop added she's alright with the remake ... if, and only if, it's only released in Japan. It's unclear if that's TLC's plan.

Ok, let's just enjoy the original ...

Police in Lousiana believe a 36-year-old man shot and killed 18-year-old rapper Lil Snupe during an argument over video games earlier this week.

Snupe -- a protégé of rapper Meek Mill -- died on Thursday after being shot twice in the chest. Police have issued a warrant for Tony Holden, but have not been able to locate him thus far.

Holden is a convicted violent felon who should be considered armed and dangerous.

James Gandolfini's widow was spotted out in public for the first time since his death, and her distraction of choice was shopping.

Deborah Lin, Gandolfini's wife of nearly 5 years, took a solo trip to a mall near their L.A. home on Friday, and went shopping at several stores ... including Bloomingdales. She also went to the bank.

It's a tribute worthy of Tony Soprano -- a Bada Bing stripper from the HBO show has paid her respects to James Gandolfini the only way she knows how ... by spinning around a pole in a g-string to the "Sopranos" theme song ... and it's all on video.

The clip was shot last night at the real-life Bada Bing -- a place called Satin Dolls in Lodi, NJ -- and it features longtime Bada Bing veteran Diana Lynn, who first appeared on the "The Sopranos" pilot episode back in 1999.

Diana -- who worked as a background dancer in several "Sopranos" episodes thereafter -- has been dancing at Satin Dolls for 15 years.

Diana says she's heartbroken by the loss of the great actor -- telling us she formed a bond with Gandolfini during his "Sopranos" days. She says the actor often hung around Satin Dolls after filming just to squeeze in some quality stripper time.

And based on the video, it really meant a lot to her. Bada bing, bada boom.

Aside from his weight, James Gandolfini didn't have ANY underlying health problems before his death ... at least that his family was aware of, TMZ has learned.

Sources extremely close to Gandolfini's family tell us, the "Sopranos" actor never once mentioned that he was suffering from heart or other health issues -- and by all appearances, he was in near-perfect condition.

Gandolfini has admitted to having problems with cocaine and alcohol in the past -- and obviously struggled with his weight -- but we're told the family was utterly blindsided by his sudden death.

As we reported, Gandolfini passed away Wednesday from an apparent heart attack while vacationing in Italy. He was 51.

James Gandolfini wasn't just a great actor, he was an awesome guy ... often when our cameras were rolling. So, we put together our coolest moments with "The Sopranos" star -- topped off with a kickass eulogy from Michelle Rodriguez.

Bada bing, boss ... Bada bing.

Sad news in the dog world -- the top pit bull from Michael Vick's dogfighting ring has been euthanized.

The dog -- named Lucas -- was humanely euthanized Wednesday at the Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah because of accumulating health problems. He was around 13 years old.

Lucas -- who was Vick's grand champion -- was one of nearly 2 dozen dogs that were rehabilitated at BFAS after they were rescued from the ring in 2007. Unfortunately, Lucas was not allowed to be adopted because of his vicious fighting history -- and therefore had to remain a lifetime-care dog at the animal sanctuary.

We're told Lucas was one of the friendliest dogs at the sanctuary -- and never stopped grinning.

James Gandolfini dined at an Italian restaurant and was photographed during his meal shortly before he died.

We've been getting unconfirmed reports Gandolfini was at Vitti restaurant in Rome -- where the pic was taken -- hours before his death. Although we know he was there, the restaurant can't confirm if it turned out to be his last meal.

And now we know ... doctors tried in vain for 40 minutes to resuscitate the actor. They tried everything -- heart massage and other methods but there was no electric activity from the heart, meaning he was probably dead before he even got to the hospital. The hospital confirms that.

There will be an autopsy, which will probably include a toxicology report that will reveal if drugs or alcohol were in Gandolfini's system.

A doctor who runs the ER where James Gandolfini was taken before he was pronounced dead says there are no suspicious factors, such as alcohol, but the statement appears premature -- especially with respect to any drugs that might have been in the actor's system.

Professor Claudio Modini, the chief ER doc, says it looks like a heart attack, adding it was "probably a natural cause of death, myocardial infarction."

Gandolfini had acknowledged he had been addicted to cocaine and booze, and substance abuse played a part in his 2002 divorce.

As for the professor's tentative conclusion, it's premature to know if drugs or alcohol were a factor. It's also unclear what -- if any -- toxicology tests will be performed on Gandolfini's body.

As we previously reported, Gandolfini died Wednesday in Italy while on vacation with his son. He had been staying at the Boscolo Hotel Exedra in Rome (pictured below).

James Gandolfini's shocking death happened in the middle of a "guy's trip" for the actor and his teenage son, Michael ... TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources tell us James' trip was for pleasure and business -- first getting to spend some QT in Italy with Michael, who just recently graduated from the 8th grade ... and then attending the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily.

We're told Michael's mom -- James' first wife Marcy Wudarski -- immediately flew to Italy on Wednesday to be with her son ... after she was told James had died.

James and his son were very tight -- Michael is a big hockey fan, and he and his father were regulars at L.A. Kings home games.

James Gandolfini was in the market for a mysterious new ink job before his death -- dropping by an L.A. tattoo parlor earlier this month ... and promising to return with a special order.

TMZ has learned Gandolfini visited T-Man Tattoo in Studio City on June 1st -- and the owner (pictured above) tells us, the actor was extremely excited about a new tattoo he was planning.

Gandolfini didn't tell the owner what he wanted to get done -- but said he just moved to the neighborhood, and promised to return later this month for a full tat session.

The owner says Gandolfini was in great spirits during the visit.

James Gandolfini -- who famously played Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos" -- died earlier today in Italy ... TMZ has learned.

Gandolfini is believed to have suffered a heart attack. He was 51.

Gandolfini was in Italy to attend the 59th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily -- and he was scheduled to participate in a festival event this weekend with Italian director Gabriele Muccino.

Gandolfini shot to fame playing a hitman in the 1993 hit "True Romance" ... and quickly became a Hollywood legend when he was cast as Tony Soprano in 1999. He won 3 Emmy awards for the role during the show's 6 season run.

'Sopranos' creator David Chase tells TMZ ... "[James] was a genius. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I remember telling him many times, 'You don't get it. You're like Mozart.' There would be silence at the other end of the phone."

Chase added, "He was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain.”

Gandolfini also appeared in a ton of huge movies including "Get Shorty," "The Mexican" and "Zero Dark Thirty."

We last spoke to Gandolfini in May in L.A. -- he was in great spirits, making funny faces and joking about a "Sopranos" movie.

His 'Sopranos' co-star Joseph R. Gannascoli -- who played Vito -- tells us, "James is one guy who never turned his back on me. He was the most humble and gifted actor and person I have ever worked with ... and I will forever be indebted to him."

Gandolfini is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, who gave birth to the couple's daughter in October 2012. He also has a teenage son from a previous marriage. R.I.P.

Here it is ... the Michael Jackson death scene ... every single shocking photo taken, from the doll he slept with, Propofol bottles, Dr. Murray's mysterious medical bag, portentous writing on the wall, old costumes ... everything.

The photos were taken by LAPD investigators on June 25th, 2009, the day Michael died. A few of these photos trickled out during Dr. Murray's criminal trial, but now they're all here in one gallery ... ALL 155.

Reid Flair -- son of wrestling legend Ric Flair -- died from an accidental overdose of heroin and other drugs ... this according to an official autopsy report released today.

As TMZ previously reported ... 25-year-old Flair was pronounced dead on March 29 after his father discovered him out cold in a Charlotte, NC hotel room.

According to the autopsy report ... traces of the muscle relaxant clonazepam and Xanax (anti-anxiety medication) were also found in Reid's system.

Reid -- who had just returned from a wrestling stint in Japan -- had struggled with heroin in the past ... according to several reports, he overdosed 3 times in 2 years.

The historic Pennsylvania playhouse where Jean Stapleton honed her acting chops is rebooting its renovation project to memorialize the late "All in the Family" star ... TMZ has learned.

Totem Pole Playhouse in Fayetteville, PA had already been planning a $5,000 facelift for its 50-seat clubhouse -- the same wing the theater says it built back in the day because Jean's shows were consistently packing the house.

Jean's late husband William Putch took over in 1953 as director of Totem Pole, where the two met and worked closely on nearly 300 productions. The renovation was originally dedicated to him and 2 other people ... but the theater expanded those plans after Jean died last weekend at age 90.

New plans include framed photos of Jean, a written proclamation from the state noting her accomplishments and a tribute video to play before all performances. We're told the blueprints are already done ... and the theater provided TMZ with one mockup ...

Brad Lesley -- who fashioned a sports-movie career out of a few seasons in Major League bullpens -- died of a heart attack ... NOT kidney failure, as previously believed ... according to the death certificate obtained by TMZ.

Leslie was 54 when he died in a Marina Del Rey hospital April 29, as TMZ first reported. His ex-wife said he'd been in a nursing home for months due to kidney problems that required dialysis ... and that he died of kidney failure.

But the death certificate says it was cardiac arrest that got him ... brought on by a case of coronary artery disease ... and he never had surgery for it.