RIP

Ray Liotta says he BARELY knew his "Goodfellas" inspiration Henry Hill -- despite playing him in one of the biggest gangster movies ever -- but now that Hill's gone ... Ray feels like a part of himself is gone too.

Ray tells us, "Although I played Henry Hill in the movie ‘Goodfellas’ I only met him a few short times so I can’t say I knew him but, I do know he lived a complicated life."

Ray adds, "My heart goes out to his family and may he finally rest in peace.”

Henry Hill -- the former mobster whose life story became the basis for the movie "Goodfellas" -- died today at the age of 69 ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ spoke with Hill's girlfriend Lisa ... who told us Hill passed away in an L.A. hospital Tuesday after a long battle with an undisclosed illness.

Lisa tells us, "He had been sick for a long time ... his heart gave out."

We're told Hill had focused on mending relationships with estranged family members in recent years ... and Lisa tells us he had made tremendous progress before he died.

Hill leaves behind two children.

Hill was famously portrayed by Ray Liotta in the 1990 classic "Goodfellas."

A former member of the iconic rock band Fleetwood Mac was found dead at his Nashville home today after shooting himself -- this according to Nashville Police.

66-year-old Bob Welch's body was found by his wife around noon. According to police, Bob shot himself in the chest.

Police say Welch -- who had health issues recently -- left a suicide note.

Science fiction legend Ray Bradbury -- author of "Fahrenheit 451" and "Something Wicked this Way Comes" -- has died.

According to reports, Ray passed away this morning in L.A. He was 91.

Among Ray's other works -- "The Illustrated Man" and "The Martian Chronicles." Much of his work has been adapted to TV and film.

Ray's grandson told io9.com, "If I had to make any statement, it would be how much I love and miss him ... He was the biggest kid I know."

Ray famously criticized technology and the modern age, opposing his own work's conversion into e-books, saying, "We have too many cell phones. We've got too many internets. We have got to get rid of those machines. We have too many machines now."

Richard Dawson, the legendary host of "Family Feud," has died from complications due to esophageal cancer ... this according to his son.

Gary Dawson posted a Facebook message early this morning that read:

"It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my father passed away this evening from complications due to esophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was an amazing talent, a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grandfather. He will be missed but always remembered..."

Dawson hosted "Feud" from 1976-1985, and then from 1994-1995. He was also famous for being a regular on "The Match Game" and for appearing in the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger action film "The Running Man." One of his biggest roles -- Dawson played Capt. Peter Newkirk on "Hogan's Heros," a wildly popular show in the 60's.

Prior to Gretchen, Dawson was married to Diana Dors, a sex symbol back in the day. They had 2 sons.

Steve Harvey, the current host of "Family Feud," tweeted today, "I have been Blessed because of Richard Dawson's work ...the birth of Family Feud. God Bless You Sir- You Were The Best"

Kathryn Joosten, perhaps best known for her role as Karen McKluskey on "Desperate Housewives," died Friday after a long bout with lung cancer. She was 72.

Joosten won Emmys in 2005 and 2008 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on "Housewives." She was nominated for a third time in 2010.

Joosten also played Mrs. Landingham for two seasons on the show "The West Wing."

She was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001 and it returned in September 2009.

Celebrity grave sites are often marked with flowers and photos to mark a birthday or death anniversary ... but the memorial park that is home to Marilyn Monroe says they were completely overrun yesterday by fans of the late blonde bombshell.

A spokesman for the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery tells TMZ there was an "abnormally large" crowd on Friday -- her 86th birthday -- with people leaving items such as cards, photos, candles, statues, and flowers.

The spokesman tells TMZ they usually try and leave the items on the grave site for as long as possible (until they start to overrun neighboring spaces) but the clean-up yesterday for Marilyn went down faster than usual.

The Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery is also the final resting place of Janis Joplin, Peter Falk, Rodney Dangerfield, Natalie Wood, Farrah Fawcett ... and the list goes on.

Former boxing champ Johnny Tapia's wife believes her husband used illegal narcotics in the week before his death -- this according to law enforcement.

TMZ has obtained a copy of the police report taken after Johnny's body was found in his New Mexico home this past weekend -- and according to the document, Teresa's suspicions stem from Johnny's longstanding drug problems. Teresa said she had no evidence to back it up.

Police found no proof of illegal drugs in the home, but did come across a locked safe filled with prescription meds -- including Hydrocodone (generic Vicodin) and Quetiapine (a drug used to treat schizophrenia).

Cops say they also found a Hydrocodone pill by Johnny's body.

Family members told police Johnny had been complaining of stomach problems in the hours before his death -- which might explain the Pepto Bismol cops also found on the scene.

Jim Paratore -- the man who founded TMZ and created a slew of hit shows including "Ellen" and "Rosie" -- died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday during a bike trip in France.

Jim was President of Telepictures -- a division of Warner Bros. -- when he dreamed up the idea of getting into the digital business back in 2006. Jim and Harvey developed the concept of TMZ ... and Jim sold it to the big wigs, which was no small feat.

Jim was a driving force behind TMZ.com and then was critical in creating the TMZ television show.

Jim was a huge force in the TV business. After Ellen DeGeneres came out, no one wanted to take a chance on her. Jim recognized her great talent and literally went station to station across the country and convinced very nervous and reluctant general managers that they should take a chance on her -- that she was a talent who could connect with and touch everyone ... and Jim was right.

My friend, producer and champion Jim Paratore died today. He gave me a chance when no one else would. I love you, Jim.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 29, 2012

Jim was a triple threat -- an amazingly creative guy who never let convention get in the way of a good idea. He was also a great producer who could execute the ideas that were in his head. And he was the best salesman in the world -- Jim could convince anyone of anything.

His list of credits is endless. On his watch, a slew of shows were produced, including "The People's Court," "The Bachelor," "Extra," "Judge Mathis" and on and on.

He was also hilarious.

Jim is survived by his wife, Jill Wickert, and his daughter, Martinique Paratore.

Everyone at TMZ was touched by Jim's brilliance and the loss is great and painful.

Authorities will perform an autopsy on Johnny Tapia today -- two days after the former boxing champ was mysteriously found dead in his home ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us the New Mexico Medical Examiner's Office has scheduled the autopsy ... which will include toxicology testing to determine an exact cause of death.

As we previously reported, the five time champ's body was found by a family member on Sunday evening. Police have said there was nothing suspicious about the death.

Boxer Johnny Tapia was found dead Sunday in New Mexico, this according to local police.

Family members say Albuquerque police were summoned to Tapia's house at 7:45 PM Sunday by a family member who discovered the body.

Cops say the death does not appear suspicious, but an official cause has not been determined.

Tapia is a 5-time world champ. His life was marked by tragedy. Tapia's dad was murdered while his mom was pregnant with him. And when Tapia was 8, his mother was kidnapped, raped and hanged.

Tapia was admitted to the hospital in 2007 in critical condition from a cocaine OD. The day after he was admitted, his brother-in-law and nephew were killed in a car accident on their way to visit him.

Donna Summer's private funeral ceremony in Nashville is officially over -- and the singer's casket is now on its way to its final resting place ... wherever that may be.

As we reported, approximately 1,000 of the Queen of Disco's family and friends -- including famed music producers David Foster and Giorgio Moroder -- attended the invitation-only service to pay their last respects.

TMZ has obtained a copy of Donna Summer's funeral program -- detailing the order of events currently taking place at the private ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.

According to the document, Donna's family -- her sisters especially -- are heavily involved in the proceedings, singing "We've Come This Far By Faith." Donna's brother Ricky Gaines is also speaking.

According to the program, several of Donna's girlfriends will share anecdotal "girlfriend stories."

Famed music producer David Foster -- who produced a lot of music with Donna -- is participating in a song called "The Prayer."

If you're wondering who Rick Dohler is -- that's Donna's daughter's husband.

Donna Summer's funeral is underway right now in Tennessee -- and TMZ has learned, several legends in the music biz are present ... including famed producer David Foster.

In addition to producing several tracks for Donna Summer -- Foster has worked with practically every other singer on the planet ... including Michael Jackson, The Bee Gees, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Prince, Madonna ... the list goes on.

Sources tell us, Italian record producer Giorgio Moroder is also present at the funeral. Moroder produced several disco hits with Summer, including "Love to Love You Baby" and "I Feel Love."

We're told Donna's casket is covered in white roses. The singer's entire family is also at the ceremony.

As we reported yesterday, the private invitation-only ceremony is taking place in Nashville -- and roughly 1,000 people are attending.

Donna passed away in Florida last week after battling lung cancer. She was 63.

As we reported, "Disco Queen" Donna Summer will be laid to rest Wednesday during a private ceremony at a church in Nashville, TN.

We're told the church is expecting a capacity crowd -- roughly 1,000 people -- but the service is invitation only.

The family is adamant ... they don't want the ceremony to become a media spectacle and they've put together a strict guest list consisting of close friends and family members.

It's unclear if any of Donna's famous friends will attend -- but we're told people are flying in from all over the country.

TMZ broke the story ... Donna passed away in Florida last week after battling lung cancer. She was 63.

John Travolta has released a statement on the passing of Bee Gees co-founder Robin Gibb ... calling the music legend one of the most "wonderful" people he's ever met.

Robin -- along with his brothers Barry and Maurice -- put together the soundtrack for the 1977 disco classic "Saturday Night Fever" ... the flick that helped propel a young John Travolta to become an international movie star.