RIP

Steve Guttenberg just released a statement to TMZ about the passing of his good friend and "Police Academy" co-star Bubba Smith.

"Bubba was my friend. His generosity was far larger than his physical stature."

He adds, "Only his gift for caring about his friends and family could compare with his achievements on the football field, film and television. He also laughed like no other."

Former NFL great Charles "Bubba" Smith -- who later starred in the "Police Academy" movies -- was found dead today in his Los Angeles home. He was 66 years old.

Law enforcement officials tell TMZ ... LAPD received a 911 call at 12:54PM today -- and officers responded to his home in the Baldwin Hills area. The fire department also responded and we're told Smith was dead when authorities arrived.

The L.A. County Coroner is on the scene investigating. We're told, at this point, authorities think he died of natural causes.

According to the L.A. Times, Bubba's caretaker discovered the body and called police. His autopsy will be performed later this week.

Bubba -- a towering 6'7" -- spent 9 seasons as a defensive end in the NFL, playing for the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders, and Houston Oilers.

He won Super Bowl V with the Colts -- but is most famous for his role as the giant and lovable Moses Hightower in 6 of the "Police Academy" movies.

U.S. Olympic skier Jeret "Speedy" Peterson called 911 moments before he committed suicide Monday ... and while fighting back tears, the 29-year-old told the operator, "I'm going to kill myself."

Peterson then gave his location to the operator and said, "I want police to come get the body." He then hung up the phone.

Cops in Summit County, Utah responded to the spot where Peterson said he would be ... and found the skier's body "obviously deceased from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head."

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Peterson left a suicide note ... but cops are not releasing it to the public.

Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was found dead yesterday in his California home -- and law enforcement sources tell TMZ, it appears he committed suicide by hanging himself. We're told a friend found him.

L.A. County Coroner is still trying to locate next of kin.

Hideki played for the Yankees, Expos, and Rangers -- last pitching in the big leagues in 2002. He won World Series rings with the Yanks in 1998 and 1999.

Irabu was 42.

Story developing ...

Peek was found dead in his bed by his wife. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death.

"America's" most famous songs include "Tin Man", "Sister Golden Hair", "Daisy Jane", and "Lonely People".

Peek left the band in 1977 and became a Contemporary Christian Music artist.

He was 60.

Salt Lake County Unified Police told KTVB ... Peterson called cops to tell them where he was before he shot himself. His body was discovered late Monday night.

Peterson was arrested last week in Idaho for speeding and DUI.

Jeret was a 3-time Olympian -- competing in 2002, 2006 and 2010 in Vancouver.

He was 29-years old.

Jeret was famous for his sick signature move called "the Hurricane" -- 3 somersaults and 5 twists.

The 45-minute ceremony was led by a Rabbi and included prayers in English and Hebrew.

During Mitch Winehouse's eulogy, he said, "Goodnight my angel ... Sleep tight. Mommy and Daddy love you ever so much."

As a tribute to Amy .... Osbourne showed up to the Edgwarebury Cemetery wearing the singer's signature beehive style hairdo.

As for who's NOT showing up, sources tell TMZ her ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil -- who's currently serving 32 months in prison for burglary and possession of an imitation firearm -- was denied release to attend the funeral.

Amy was found dead on Saturday at her home in London -- the cause of death has not been determined.

So far, police have said her death was "not suspicious" and that there were no signs of foul play.

UPDATE: The autopsy is now complete. According to police, no cause of death was established ... toxicology test results are still pending and will take 2 to 4 weeks.

Chris Goodman, a friend and rep for Winehouse, explained, "She was in her bedroom after saying she wanted to sleep and when he went to wake her he found she wasn't breathing."

The singer was found dead in her London apartment this afternoon.

We're told an autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow.

Amy Winehouse was found dead in her apartment in London today ... TMZ has confirmed.

A press release from the Metropolitan Police, which doesn't specifically name Winehouse, says:

"Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.

On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained. "Winehouse famously battled addiction to drugs and alcohol and was in and out of rehab several times throughout the years.

Last month, Winehouse canceled her European tour after a performance in Serbia where she seemed completely out of it.

Handler's caretaker tells TMZ ... Elliot had a medical emergency last night ... and eventually died from heart failure.

Elliot's wife CREATED the Barbie Doll back in the '50s ... and Handler named the doll after their daughter Barbara.

Handler was 95-years old.

Drake's rep released a statement saying, "We regret to announce that Drake will not be able to take the stage at Universal Orlando Resort due to a death in the family."

"He hopes that his fans understand the situation he finds himself in and know that he fully intends to return to the area in the future. He thanks Universal Orlando Resort and his fans for their continued support.”

Blossom appeared in many films before landing the role of "old man Marley" in "Home Alone" -- including, "Deranged", "The Great Gatsby", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Doc Hollywood".

In addition to his acting career -- Blossom was a World War II Vet and a well-respected poet.

He was 87.

UPDATE: "Home Alone" director Christopher Columbus released a statement on Blossom's passing ... saying, "We have lost one of cinema's truly great character actors."