RIP

Junior Seau is the latest of several former NFL players to commit suicide -- and all the deaths might be linked ... through brain-related injuries sustained during the players' football careers.

Most recently, 62-year-old former Atlanta Falcons player Ray Easterling (center) shot himself last month in his Virginia home. His wife claims the former safety developed symptoms of dementia after his football career.

Easterling filed a federal lawsuit in Philly against the NFL in 2011 over its handling of concussion-related football injuries -- claiming the league intentionally concealed links between the injuries and the game.

Dozens and dozens of similar concussion-related lawsuits have also been filed against the NFL -- but the league insists the allegations are without merit.

50-year-old former Chicago Bears player Dave Duerson (right) was found dead in his Florida home last year from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

Before his death, he texted his family asking for his brain to be used for research (hence why he shot himself in the chest). Months later, researcher neurologists at Boston University confirmed Duerson had suffered from a neurodegenerative disease linked to concussions.

It's possible Junior Seau shot himself in the chest for the same reason.

Terrell Owens had TWO near-death encounters involving pills -- most recently on October 6th, when his assistant called 911 claiming the NFL star had OD'd. T.O. nearly died back in 2006 too, after downing 36 Vicodins.

Tommy Marth -- a saxophone player for The Killers -- was found dead at his Las Vegas home Monday ... and according to reports, the death has been ruled a suicide.

The Killers released a statement on Tuesday ... saying, "Last night we lost our friend Thomas Marth. Our prayers are with his family. There’s a light missing in Las Vegas tonight. Travel well, Tommy.”

Marth played sax on two Killers albums -- Sam's Town and Day & Age. He also toured with the band in 2008 and 2009. He was 33.

Andrew Breitbart died of heart failure stemming from coronary disease, this according to the L.A. County coroner's office.

A spokesman for the coroner's office says there were minute traces of alcohol in his system, but has ruled no foul play and closed the case.

The conservative blogger -- who founded the popular news site Breitbart.com -- died March 2 at UCLA medical center after collapsing near his Brentwood home.

"Real Housewives of New York City" star Alex McCord and her family are dealing with a real tragedy -- their beloved cat Madge passed away this week after she was hit by a car.

Neighbors discovered the cat lying in the street on Wednesday after she managed to get out of the house. McCord said Madge's body was still in perfect condition, so the family (including their other cat Erin) was able to say their goodbyes.

McCord says the death of Madge has been difficult to explain to her two boys, adding, "We talked about how … she was different because she wasn't alive anymore. They each wrote her a little note which we put in a box we buried her in and put a marker above her grave."

The Band singer/drummer Levon Helm -- famous for hits like "The Weight" ("Take a load off Annie" ...) -- has died after a long battle with throat cancer.

Helm -- diagnosed with throat cancer in the late 90s -- passed away this afternoon in NYC, surrounded by his friends and bandmates.

Helm formed what would eventually become The Band with Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson in 1964.

The group went by various names -- but didn't become the "The Band" until after they toured with Bob Dylan in 1965 and 1966 ... a reference to their back-up band history with various frontmen.

Helm has won 3 Grammys for his solo work in the last 4 years. In 2008, The Band received the Grammys' Lifetime Achievement Award.

Helm is survived by his wife and daughter. He was 71.

Dick Clark -- famed TV producer and "New Year's Rockin' Eve" host -- died from a massive heart attack this morning ... TMZ has learned.

Clark's rep tells TMZ, the TV icon had been in St. John's hospital in L.A. after undergoing an outpatient procedure last night. Clark suffered the "massive" heart attack following the procedure. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Clark was 82.

Clark's health had been on the decline since he suffered a significant stroke in 2004 -- forcing him to retire from his hosting gig at "New Year's Rockin' Eve," which he created in 1972. Ryan Seacrest took over in 2006. Dick has appeared on the show sporadically ever since. His final appearance was in 2011.

Months before suffering a stroke, Clark told Larry King he also suffered from Type 2 diabetes.

Clark got his first big break in 1956, hosting what was called "Bob Horn's Bandstand" ... what would later be renamed "American Bandstand." Clark continued to host and produce "American Bandstand" until 1989.

Dick hosted Miss USA from 1989-1993 -- and Miss Universe 1990-1993.

In addition, Clark also hosted a bunch of game shows -- like "Pyramid," "Scattergories," "The Challengers," and many more.

Clark had been inducted into practically every hall of fame on the planet -- including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.

Clark had also received a total of 5 Emmy Awards for his work, as well as a Peabody Award. One Emmy was a lifetime achievement award.

Clark was married 3 times -- and has 3 children from his first two marriages. He is survived by his current wife Kari Wigton.

"For now, Dick Clark ... so long."

5:20 PM PT: Dick Clark's rep tells TMZ, there will be NO public funeral. In lieu of flowers, Dick's family asks that donations be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation based in Miami.

Ryan Seacrest just tweeted, writing, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life."

Donny Osmond tells us, "The industry lost a legend today, but I feel like I've lost a very close friend. Dick was a mentor to me."

The President of Miss Universe Paula Shugart -- who started working for Dick Clark Productions in 1985 -- tells TMZ, Dick "gave me my first break in TV. His death is hitting all of us hard."

The Internet's EXPLODING with reactions from celebrities -- click here for live updates.

President Barack Obama has released a statement on the passing of Dick Clark ... praising the entertainment mogul as an innovator who "reshaped the television landscape forever."

"With 'American Bandstand,' he introduced decades' worth of viewers to the music of our time," Obama said.

He added, "[Clark] reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer and, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into our homes to ring in the New Year."

"But more important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel -- as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was."

Dick Clark's only been dead a few hours ... but the roasting has already begun ... this time, it's Denis Leary leading the charge.

Leary went to his Twitter a few minutes ago and wrote, "With Dick Clark dead, Casey Kasem now reveling in his status as last and reigning king of leather faced syrup voiced lizard people."

There's more -- Denis wrote, "I'm gonna package a Dick Clark Hologram mc'ing a Tupac Hologram summer tour."

So, we gotta as ask ...

Tupac came back to life this weekend ... as a hologram ... and it was frickin' AMAZING!!!.

Pac was resurrected for the Coachella music festival in California ... and "performed" a couple of his greatest hits ... including "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" with Snoop Dogg.

We're told the crowd went INSANE ... especially when 2pac first appeared to the crowd ... rising up from the ground until he was standing on the stage.

The movements were remarkably lifelike ... grabbing his crotch and pointing his mic to the crowd like the good ole days.

At the end of his performance, a light shines on Pac ... and he dissipates into thin air.

More tragic news for the family of John Graziano -- Nick Hogan's infamous 2007 crash victim -- TMZ has learned John's younger brother Michael has died from injuries he sustained in a car accident earlier this month.

As we previously reported, Michael was a passenger in a 1994 Volvo which slammed into the back of a dump truck on a Florida highway on April 3. Like his brother John, he was not wearing a seat belt.

Michael was rushed to the hospital where he remained in critical condition for several days.

Now, officials say Michael has "expired from his injuries sustained in the April 3rd traffic crash."

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Nate Dogg isn't letting a little thing like death keep him away from Coachella this weekend -- sources tell TMZ, the rapper will be making a very special guest appearance on stage ... in the form of a HOLOGRAM.

Sources tell us, Dr. Dre didn't want to leave Nate out of his Sunday performance -- so he's incorporating his old friend using hologram technology ... the same technology that broadcast Mariah Carey's image across Europe last year ... at 5 simultaneous concerts.

We're told an image of Nate will be projected onto the Coachella stage -- alongside Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Warren G, and Daz Dillinger -- to make it appear as though he's actually performing on stage.

According to sources, Nate will perform several songs.

The singer passed away last March -- just weeks before last year's Coachella festival.

Bob Scheiffer, the host of "Face the Nation," announced his passing on CBS this morning, saying that Wallace died on Saturday night in New Haven, CT alongside his family.

Wallace had been in declining health in recent years.

His last interview for CBS was with retired baseball star Roger Clemens, which aired in January 2008.

Wallace was the first person hired by legendary CBS producer Don Hewitt when he was putting together the staff for "60 Minutes." He won 21 Emmy awards, five DuPont-Columbia journalism awards, and five Peabody awards.

Wallace never had a problem confronting his guests, perhaps best evidenced by two of his more famous interviews -- with Barbra Streisand in 1991 and Louis Farrakhan in 2005 (see below).

Biggie Smalls was shot and killed 15 years ago today ... but the rapper's female protege Lil' Kim tells TMZ ... she's still in mourning ... explaining, "It still hurts very much."

Kim -- who was famously close with Biggie -- tells us she'll be honoring his memory at a private dinner in NY with close friends and family members ... saying, "I will never forget him and I will think about him every day until I die."

She adds, "I will celebrate him every single day of my life ... I have endless love for him and I'll be grateful and thankful to him until my last day."

"I love him ... and will never stop loving him."

Jimmy Ellis, who sung lead vocals for The Trammps on their 1970s classic "Disco Inferno," died yesterday in South Carolina. He was 74.

Eliis died from complications due to Alzheimer's disease, his daughter told the NY Times.

"Disco Inferno" was featured on the soundtrack to "Saturday Night Fever," which sold 15 million copies -- making it the second biggest selling soundtrack ever behind only "The Bodyguard."

Ellis toured with The Trammps as recently as 2010.

"Brady Bunch" star Maureen McCormick -- who famously shared an on-screen kiss with Davy Jones on the 70s sitcom -- is finally breaking her silence on the singer's death ... telling TMZ, "Davy was a beautiful soul."

Maureen -- aka "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" -- tells us, Davy "spread love and goodness around the world. He filled our lives with happiness, music, and joy."

She adds, "He will live on in our hearts forever. May he rest in peace."

Davy guest-starred on 'The Bunch' back in '71 -- playing himself in an episode where Marcia tries to convince him to sing at her prom.

In case you've forgotten, she got him ...

Davy Jones died from a heart attack ... this according to the Martin County Medical Examiner.

TMZ has learned ... an autopsy was performed at 10:30 AM EST, and doctors determined Jones died from an abnormal heart rhythm caused by coronary artery atherosclerosis -- in other words, a severe heart attack.

The M.E. still has toxicology results pending, but it was obvious from the autopsy that the heart attack killed the lead singer of the Monkees.

TMZ broke the story ... Jones died yesterday after complaining of shortness of breath.