RIP

Snoop went to Twitter hours after Nate was pronounced dead last night ... and dropped the following messages:

"We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met."

"I miss u cuzz I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan."

Snoop added, "I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit."

Nate Dogg -- real name Nathaniel D. Hale -- had survived strokes in 2007 and 2008 ... and was famous for his smooth vocal collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Warren G. and Dr. Dre to name a few.

The Press Telegram in Nate's hometown of Long Beach, CA first reported his death late Tuesday night.

No word yet on what tests still need to be done ... but Mike's family ain't waiting around -- we're told they're holding a memorial without Mike's body this Sunday in Seattle for friends and family ... to give them a chance to pay their respects early.

Once Mike's body is back in the family's possession, sources tell us, they plan to hold TWO funeral services -- one for fans, and one for family.

Starr appeared on the third season of "Celebrity Rehab" back in 2009 -- and was arrested last month for felony possession of a controlled substance. Salt Lake City cops say he had 6 Xanax pills and 6 Opana (painkiller) pills when he was busted.

Starr was 44 years old.

Mike's dad tells TMZ, "It's a terrible shock and tragedy."

UPDATE: Police tell us Starr's body was found in a Salt Lake City home today. Cops say they were called to the house at 1:42PM.

DeStefano was a former heroin addict who had been clean for 11 years. According to the NBC website, he frequently performed at prisons and rehab centers for free.

According to reports, DeStefano died after suffering a massive heart attack last night.

His rep released a statement saying, "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a dear friend, a true gentleman, a great comic, and a fierce warrior, Mike DeStefano."

The statement continues ...

Russell also played Calamity Jane in 1948 alongside Bob Hope in "The Paleface" -- and subsequently starred with Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 musical "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."

Law enforcement officials in Homer, AK tell us they got a call at 12:52 PM yesterday reporting a deceased male at the Best Western Bidarka Inn. Upon arrival they found 33-year-old Tennison lying on a bed unresponsive.

We're told a search of the room -- which was registered to Justin -- turned up a small amount of marijuana, as well as several bottles of alcohol in the refrigerator. Cops tell us they believe there had been a party in the room the night before.

It's unknown if the booze and drugs played a role in Justin's death -- his body was transported to the State Medical Examiner ... and an autopsy is scheduled for later today.

The actor reportedly died in his sleep this morning in Burbank, and according to his daughter Michelle, "It was very peaceful."

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

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.

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.

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

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

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."

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.

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.