RIP

Lee Reherman -- aka Hawk -- had a strange, metallic taste in his mouth just hours before his death, sources close to the former "American Gladiators" actor tell TMZ.

We're told Lee's girlfriend urged him to go to the ER late Monday night when he began complaining about the metal-y taste.

A rep for Lee confirms he declined to seek medical attention, hoping to sleep it off. His girlfriend left the room to take a shower later that night and when she came back into the room, Lee had passed.

The actor's death seemed to come from out of the blue. We're told he'd been feeling great after his recent hip surgery and even began hitting the gym again.

Lee Reherman ... who was Hawk on "American Gladiators" ... was found dead in his house Tuesday morning, TMZ has learned.

Reherman's rep says the actor's girlfriend found him in their Manhattan Beach, CA home. The rep says 49-year-old Reherman had been complaining about "not feeling well" in the last week. He was also recovering from hip replacement surgery several weeks ago.

Reherman most recently played a secret service agent on the TV show, "The First Family" -- and guest roles on tons of other TV shows including, "Jane The Virgin," 'X-Files' and "NCIS." But he was best known as Hawk.

Cause of death is unclear at this point, but law enforcement sources tell us there's no initial sign of foul play.

George Kennedy, star of "Cool Hand Luke" and the 'Naked Gun' movies, has died at the age of 91 ... TMZ has learned.

George's grandson Cory Schenkel says Kennedy died Sunday morning at 4:30 AM in Boise, ID. He says his grandfather had been in failing health ever since his wife Joan died a little over a year ago. George had been under hospice care for the past month.

Kennedy won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1968 for "Cool Hand Luke." He also starred in all 3 of the 'Naked Gun' flicks, "Airport 1975," "Earthquake" and many many more.

His last role was in "The Gambler" with Mark Wahlberg in 2014.

Abe Vigoda's family is demanding an apology from the Oscars, saying leaving him out of the "In Memoriam" segment was a final injustice to his memory and career.

Carol Vigoda tells TMZ ... "Last night the Oscars dismayed many and cheated Abe Vigoda by not paying tribute to the immense professional energies and talents that he brought to the industry."

She added, "Let's not forget the personal and family sacrifices that were willing made to achieve that essential devotion. The Oscars fell short in many ways and as my father Abe Vigoda said the Oscars have earned, 'one demerit.'"

Carol's also not going to buy the excuse that Abe -- who starred in "The Godfather," "Look Who's Talking" and countless other films -- was omitted because he died too recently (Jan. 26, 2016) because David Bowie was included ... as was Alan Rickman.

Carol says there's a "hole in my heart that needs to be filled."

Tony Burton, one of only a handful of actors to appear in the 1st 6 installments of the 'Rocky' franchise, has died.

Burton played Duke, Apollo Creed's trainer, and also trained Rocky in the 4th movie. Prior to acting Burton was himself a professional light heavyweight boxer and football player.

Burton was apparently ill and unable to see 'Creed.'

The actor also starred in "The Shining" and "Stir Crazy."

'Rocky' co-star Carl Weathers confirmed the death in a tweet, "RIP Tony Burton. intensity and talent helped make the Rocky movie successful #BePeace."

Burton was 78.

R.I.P.

Elvis Presley's longtime doctor -- who stood trial for over-prescribing Presley -- died in Memphis on Wednesday at the age of 88.

Dr. George Nichopoulos was infamously known to Elvis fans as "Dr. Nick" and much like Conrad Murray after Michael Jackson's death -- he came under heavy scrutiny when the king of rock 'n' roll died.

Dr. Nick traveled with Elvis as part of his entourage, but after Presley died in 1977 ... the doc faced criminal charges for negligently dishing drugs to Elvis. Unlike Murray, he was acquitted in 1981.

He did eventually lose his medical license for over-prescribing addictive drugs to several patients, including Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis -- but remained adamant all the meds he gave Elvis "were necessities."

Taryn Manning got a visit from the ghost of movies past -- her former co-star Brittany Murphy -- right in the middle of her DJing gig ... or at least she thought so.

Taryn was spinning for an H&M party in Toronto when she played Eminem's "Lose Yourself" from "8 Mile" ... which, of course, co-starred Taryn and Brittany.

Watch what happened when she shouted out Brit, who died in 2009. Manning seems convinced spirits are a thing.

Then again ... someone just coulda tripped over a power cord.

Robert Kardashian may be gone, but his memory burns bright, because almost the entire Kardashian brood turned up to celebrate what would have been his 72nd birthday.

Kris Jenner hosted the bash at her Calabasas home. Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kendall, and Kylie were all there, dining on traditional Armenian food, including, hummus, pita bread, stuffed vine leaves, bulgur wheat, string cheese and baklava.

Interestingly, we're told Lamar Odom and Scott Disick were also there.

Celine Dion will return to her Vegas stage Tuesday for the first time since her husband Rene Angelil died, and she plans to continue paying respect to him.

We're told Celine's completely changing her show at Caesars Colosseum -- it now begins with a 10 minute long tribute to Rene.

Celine has 12 shows before going on hiatus in mid-March, so the tribute will be part of the act at least through then.

As her manager, Rene played a huge role in catapulting Celine to stardom. She's already had an emotional send-off for him at Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica and a Vegas ceremony to honor him. Tomorrow night's opener should be another tearjerker.

Big Ang drew a big crowd for her final send-off Monday.

Friends and family -- around 200 strong -- showed up at the Basilica of Regina Pacis Church in Brooklyn.

Ang's estranged husband, Neil Murphy, along with Carla Facciolo and Renee Graziano were front and center for the funeral.

Big Ang's Staten Island palace, frequently featured on "Mob Wives," is available for purchase for a cool million bucks.

Big Ang passed away from cancer earlier this week and her longtime friend and real estate broker, Laird Klein, is helping with the deal. He says it was listed 2 months ago right before she got her last diagnosis ... that the cancer had returned.

Ang made a lot of renovations to the home -- as seen on the show -- and Laird says it now "reflects her personality, her level of style, her persona for life.”

"Mob Wives" fans won't see Big Ang and her family during her final days ... TMZ has learned cameras weren't rolling to capture the end of her battle.

Sources close to production tell TMZ, filming for season 6 wrapped in January and the cast shot a reunion episode in early February. Ang was a part of both. However, production didn't gather a crew when her health went south a few weeks after the reunion.

We're told the main focus of season 6 will be Ang's cancer battle, and the cast supporting her.

As we reported, Big Ang died early Thursday.

Beloved author Harper Lee, who wrote the American classic "To Kill a Mockingbird" has died in her Alabama hometown.

A source close to the situation tells TMZ Lee was found at home and appears to have died from natural causes ... at this point an autopsy has not been scheduled.

Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel was published in 1960 and became a classic movie as well, 2 years later ... starring Gregory Peck.

'Mockingbird' was Lee's first and only novel -- up until 2014 when a manuscript was found of her first draft of the book. That was published in 2015 under the title "Go Set a Watchman."

Lee, who suffered a stroke in 2007, lived most of her life in her native Monroeville, AL.

Time has called 'Mockingbird' the greatest novel of all time. The movie version won 3 Oscars. Just last week it was announced Aaron Sorkin will adapt it for a Broadway play.

Harper Lee was 89.

Big Ang had a dying wish -- a disco party in Brooklyn.

Ang loved a discotheque in her hood called Pastels. She wanted her family and friends to have a hard-drinking night where the music would reign supreme. Ang felt this was more appropriate to celebrate her life than a stodgy memorial service.

Here's the problem. Pastels has been shut down for a while. It's unclear if the family will find another venue.

As for a final resting place, we're told one thing's for sure -- no cremation, because Ang was freaked out by fire. She'll be buried, but as of this moment the family hasn't chosen a site.

Ang passed away Thursday morning after battling cancer. She was 55.

"Mob Wives" star Angela "Big Ang" Raiola has died after a battle with stage 4 cancer ... TMZ has learned.

Ang was surrounded by family members early Thursday at a Manhattan hospital when she passed away. She was first diagnosed with throat cancer in April when doctors discovered a tumor in her throat and it was removed shortly after.

Her rep released a statement saying Ang passed at 3:01 AM ET, and TMZ has also confirmed it with family members. The rep added ... Ang's fans "were some of the most special people in her world, and she loved you immensely. Thank you for your love, prayers, and unconditional support of Angela right to the very end."

Hours earlier, Ang's team had to clear up false reports she died Wednesday evening.

Ang learned her cancer had returned in December and spread to her brain and lungs.

Raiola is survived by her two kids, Raquel and Anthony, and has six grandkids.

She was 55 years old.

R.I.P.

George Gaynes, who found fame as a foster parent on "Punky Brewster" and Commandant Lassard on "Police Academy" has died.

Gaynes was at his daughter's house in Washington on Monday when he passed away. He was 98-years-old. Gaynes daughter Iya confirmed the death to the New York Times.

Gaynes appeared on hundreds of episodes of sitcoms and TV dramas. He also did work on the big screen, appearing in films like "Tootsie" with Dustin Hoffman in 1982.

The actor also made a name for himself singing and on Broadway.

R.I.P.