RIP

Comedian Alan Sues -- who starred in "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" back in the 70s -- has died, TMZ has learned

Alan -- who also appeared in the infamous 1964 Twilight Zone episode "The Masks" (below) -- passed away last night. So far, a cause of death is unknown.

"Laugh-In" creator George Schlatter tells TMZ, "Alan was a dear man and good friend, and a forcefield of energy and laughs. Every situation he was in added an element of humor and danger because you never knew what he was going to do, but you knew it was going to be funny."

Alan was 85.

Comedian Patrice O'Neal died Tuesday morning ... as a result of a stroke he suffered back in October ... this according to his friends at the "Opie and Anthony" radio show.

O'Neal had been a staple in the comedy world for years -- and performed at the "Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen" back in September.

O'Neal was a regular guest on the "Opie and Anthony" radio show -- and appeared on several TV shows such as "Chappelle Show," "The Office," and "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn."

Opie just tweeted, "Yes it's true that our pal Patrice O'Neal has passed away. The funniest and best thinker I've ever known PERIOD."

O'Neal was 41.

10:33 AM PST -- Patrice's rep, Matt Frost, tells TMZ ... "It is with terrible sadness we must report that Patrice O’Neal has passed away this morning at 7:00 AM due to the complications of the stroke he suffered on October 19."

Frost adds, "Many of us have lost a close and loved friend; all of us have lost a true comic genius. His mother, who was also his best friend, was at his side. Patrice is survived by his wife, Vondecarlo; his step daughter Aymilyon, sister Zinder, and his mother Georgia."

"The family wishes to thank all of the fans and friends who have expressed an outpouring of love and support for Patrice these past weeks. We ask that you please respect the family’s request for privacy at this difficult time."

Charlie Sheen has released a statement about the death of Patrice O'Neal -- saying, "The world at large lost a brilliant man today."

Sheen says he only met O'Neal just a few days before the comic roasted him at the Comedy Central Roast back in September ... but says, "I will forever be inspired by his nobility, his grace and his epic talent."

"Patrice had that rare 'light' around him and inside of him."

Sheen concluded, "My tears today are for the tremendous loss to his true friends and loving family."

Patrice passed away this morning, as a result of the stroke he suffered back in October.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was stabbed to death early Monday morning in the Netherlands ... and cops say his own brother has been arrested as a suspect.

Cops were called to an apartment in the city of Rotterdam early this morning where they discovered 24-year-old Halman bleeding from a stab wound. Officers were unable to revive him.

Cops later arrested Halman's 22-year-old brother in connection with the murder.

Halman has played sparingly for the Mariners, appearing in 44 games over the past two seasons.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... Greg and his brother had been living together at the apartment -- and a woman was staying with Greg at the time of the murder.

Cops say the woman was the person who called authorities and identified Greg's brother as the murderer.

9:54 AM: The Mariners just released a statement -- claiming, “The Mariners family is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Greg Halman ... Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg’s family.”

Lana Wood, Natalie Wood's sister, says she never believed Robert Wagner's version of the events that led to Natalie's death.

Lana tells TMZ ... she believes Robert wasn't honest with cops when they interviewed him about Natalie's death.

Lana also says she's not buying the story that Natalie was trying to secure a dinghy and fell overboard because she was deathly afraid of water -- to the point she wouldn't even go in her pool.

Lana says Sheriff's detectives have interviewed her about the case and they specifically wanted to know if the relationship between Natalie and Robert was "volatile."

The guy who played the lead trumpeter in the Munchkin band in "The Wizard of Oz" died yesterday at the age of 93 ... reducing the number of living "munchkins" down to 3.

Karl Slover -- who played multiple munchkin roles in the 1939 classic -- passed away in a Georgia hospital after going into cardiopulmonary arrest.

Standing just 4-foot-5, Slover was actually one of the shortest Munchkins ... and even appeared at a "Wizard of Oz" event in Chicago just last week.

Heavy D was planning a huge comeback just before his death -- and those plans included a new music video.

Carl Thomas, who sang on Heavy D's latest album, tells TMZ, he was in touch with Heavy two weeks ago ... and Heavy told him he was weeks away from shooting a music video for their song, "Still Missing You." Thomas said Heavy had a director in place and had picked a location for the shoot.

Sources close to Heavy D tell us it was all part of the singer's comeback plan. We're told he released his new album on September 27 because it coincided with the BET Music Awards ... and he was hoping the performance would put him back on the map.

As we first reported, Heavy D passed away on Tuesday after collapsing outside his Beverly Hills home. He was 44.

Heavy D will be laid to rest at a very private funeral ceremony in New York next Friday -- and TMZ has learned only a select number of the rapper's famous friends have been invited to attend.

We're told Heavy's family has organized a public viewing on Thursday -- and anyone who wants to pay tribute to the hip hop legend is encouraged to show up.

But the following day, the burial service is V.I.P. only -- and the invite list only includes close members of Heavy's family and dear friends, such as Diddy, Mary J. Blige, a few of the Wayans brothers ... and others.

We're told Eddie F and G-Whiz -- former members of Heavy D and the Boyz -- are also on the invite list.

TMZ broke the story, Heavy D passed away on Tuesday at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 44-years-old.

Heavy D hadn't given up on his health before his death -- TMZ has learned, the rapper was serious about battling his weight up to the very end ... running nearly everyday, and frequenting several L.A. gyms.

One of his most recent trainers -- a guy named Tony, who helped Heavy D lose 150 pounds in 2008 -- tells TMZ, D stopped in to Ultra Body Fitness in West Hollywood 3 months before his death ... and began to re-strategize his training program.

Tony tells us, the rapper looked like he hadn't worked out in a while and wanted to get active again.

At that point, sources close to Heavy D tell us, the rapper embarked on a daily running regimen and frequented several other nearby gyms to diversify his exercise experience -- incorporating everything from hiking to boxing.

At his peak, Tony tells us, Heavy worked out 6-7 days a week.

When he died, we're told everyone at Ultra Body Fitness was shocked -- and the members even erected a small memorial in Heavy's honor (below).

Bil Keane, the man behind the iconic comic strip "Family Circus" died yesterday ... he was 89.

"Family Circus" has been in circulation for more than 50 years and is currently featured in roughly 1,500 newspapers. The single panel strip centers around the antics of four young kids, Billy, Dolly, Jeffy, baby PJ and their parents.

Keane was working right up to the end ... his final "Family Circus" comic is dated October 26th.

Heavy D weighed 344 pounds at the time of his death yesterday ... law enforcement tells TMZ.

Officials recorded Heavy's height and weight as part of their investigation into his sudden and unexpected passing. We're told the rapper measured in at 6'4".

Heavy famously lost 135 pounds back in 2003 -- but insisted the decision to drop the weight was in an effort to get acting roles ... and wasn't health related.

An autopsy is scheduled to begin this morning.

TMZ broke the story ... Heavy D died yesterday after collapsing outside of his Beverly Hills condo.

5:12 PM: An associate of Heavy D's just told us the rapper had pneumonia.

4:28 PM: Law enforcement tell TMZ ... Heavy D had just returned from shopping and walked up some stairs when he began having trouble breathing. Adam Mills, a designer who was in the building and knew Heavy D, found him leaning against a railing and clearly in distress. Adam tells us he cradled Heavy D in his lap as others called 911. Adam says Heavy D was conscious and said to him, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe." When paramedics took Heavy D to the hospital he had a pulse. People in the building are saying he died of a heart attack, but we have not been able to confirm that. Law enforcement sources tell us ... no foul play was involved and so far they only know the cause of death was "medical."

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Rap legend Heavy D -- one of the most influential rappers of the '90s -- died earlier today ... TMZ has learned.

Heavy D -- real name Dwight Arrington Myers -- was rushed to an L.A. hospital around noon today ... and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1 PM. He was 44 years old.

We've learned a 911 call was placed from Heavy's Beverly Hills home around 11:25 AM to report an unconscious male on the walkway .

When help arrived, we're told Heavy D was conscious and speaking -- and was transported to a nearby hospital.

He died a short time later.

Cops are investigating the death -- and so far, there are no obvious signs of foul play. Police are currently at the home.

Heavy D had several massive hits -- including "Now That We Found Love." He also wrote and performed the theme song for "In Living Color" ... and appeared as an actor in the movie "Life."

Heavy just performed at the Michael Jackson Tribute Concert in Wales on October 8. He sang "Jam" with La Toya Jackson -- and rocked it (video below).

Eddie F -- one of the founding members of Heavy D & the Boyz -- issued a heartfelt statement about his longtime friend ... saying, "We were only young kids out of high school when we got into the game just wanting to make fun music filled with love and excitement."

"We always had so much fun as a group. I cherish all the happy times we had together while unknowingly helping to build the movement and legacy we call Uptown Records" ... adding, "I love you Hev and we all will miss you so much."

It's the last time we spoke to Heavy D before his death -- a mere 2 months ago -- and the guy was as awesome as ever ... discussing his new album, his stint on Broadway, and even his blossoming acting career.

D shot a scene for "Law and Order: SVU" in September (below) -- and he had big plans to do more acting work afterwards.

TMZ had the honor and privilege of shooting Heavy D on several occasions throughout the years -- and there were always 3 constants -- ALWAYS friendly, ALWAYS funny and ALWAYS smiling.

La Toya Jackson tells TMZ she was shocked to learn about the death of her dear friend Heavy D -- especially because they just performed together last month.

"This is very shocking and a tragic loss," La Toya said ... adding, "I just performed with Heavy D at the Forever Michael tribute concert and he was a friend to Michael and a friend to me."

Heavy and La Toya rocked out to "Jam" during the October 8th show in Wales -- and Heavy seemed perfectly fine.

La Toya continued, "We have lost a great person and terrific performer, my prayers and condolences go out to his family and fans.

The celebrity tributes are pouring in -- TMZ just spoke with Chuck D ... who told us, "I am sitting here stunned and shocked about this ... I can’t believe it. [Heavy] was a hip hop god ... this is a sad tragedy to hear."

Chuck continued, "He will always be remembered and I'm thankful for him for what he's done for hip hop culture."

Martin Lawrence -- who appeared with Heavy D in "Life" -- tells TMZ, "Heavy D was a talented performer and one of the nicest and most genuine people I have ever met. I was to happy to have known him, my prayers are with his family. God Bless him”

Mike Tyson has issued a statement about the death of boxing icon Joe Frazier -- calling Joe's passing a "sad day" ... but saying we should "honor him by celebrating his accomplishments."

Tyson went to Twitter ... and wrote, "Frazier and Ali were quintessential, the apex of pedigree fighting in which each man would not give an inch until they were dead. Their era was competitive fighting at the highest level."

"Smokin" Joe Frazier died this evening after battling liver cancer ... according to the boxing legend's agent.

The former heavyweight champ was diagnosed just last month with liver cancer.

Darren Prince tells TMZ Frazier passed away at home in Philadelphia just over an hour ago. He was surrounded by his family.

Joe fought Muhammad Ali three times in the 70s ... defeating him in '71. Their last battle was the legendary "Thrilla in Manilla."

Joe Frazier was 67 years old.