RIP

Doris Roberts' death is causing turmoil for a movie she was set to headline ... because she's the third big name attached to the flick who has died.

One of the last movie roles Doris signed on for was the female lead in "Old Soldiers" ... which is still securing its last bit of financing before it starts production.

Problem is ... 2 of the other major roles belonged to Mickey Rooney and James Best ... who died in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Producer Dave Rotan -- who is adamant on using actual WWII-era celebs for the road trip comedy -- tells us he's still optimistic about the film, but admits his "window of opportunity is quickly closing" on filling out a cast of elderly legends.

Rotan tells us he's not going to recast Doris' role yet -- for fear of jinxing anyone else -- and is still banking on Clifton James (94), Hugh O'Brian (91), and Rance Howard (87) to make it through filming.

Godspeed.

Doris Roberts, the beloved mom from "Everybody Loves Raymond," has died ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Doris passed away Sunday at home in L.A.

She won 5 Emmy awards, 4 of them for 'Raymond.' She's also starred in tons of other TV shows and movies, like "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Grandma's Boy."

She's survived by her son, Michael Cannata Jr., who she had with her first husband. Doris' second husband, William Goyen, died in 1983.

Doris was 90 years old.

We last saw her about a month ago where we frequently got her -- going to the movies at the ArcLight in Hollywood. Doris said she wasn't feeling great, but she was as witty as ever.

The widow of a pilot killed on the set of Tom Cruise's Pablo Escobar movie says her husband only died because the filmmakers put his life in the hands of an incompetent flier.

Alan Purwin, a veteran Hollywood stunt pilot, was working closely with Cruise on "Mena" last year. He was a passenger onboard a small plane that went down in the Colombian jungle on the last day of filming.

Kathryn Purwin is suing Cross Creek Pictures, the film's producer, saying Carlos Berl -- the man at the stick when the plane went down -- didn't have the "necessary skills" and had no business flying the aircraft. Berl was also killed in the crash.

Conor McGregor says he was ringside at the MMA fight in Dublin -- in which a fighter was beaten so badly, he died from his injuries ... and calls the whole situation "truly heartbreaking."

Conor was at the fight to watch his teammate Charlie Ward take on Portuguese fighter Joao Carvalho. Joao lost by TKO in the 3rd round ... and died a few days later from head injuries suffered in the fight.

"Terrible news regarding Joao Carvalho," McGregor said in a statement.

"To see a young man doing what he loves, competing for a chance at a better life, and then to have it taken away is truly heartbreaking."

"We are just men and women doing something we love in the hope of a better life for ourselves and our families. Nobody involved in combat sports of any kind wants to see this. It is such a rare occurrence that I don't know how to take this."

"I was ringside supporting my teammate, and the fight was so back and forth, that I just can't understand it."

"My condolences go out to Joao's family and his team. Their man was a hell of a fighter and will be sorely missed by all."

NFL running back Pierre Thomas says he'll be forever scarred after watching his close friend, Will Smith, get shot to death in New Orleans ... saying, "These images that I have in my head will never leave me."

Thomas was at the scene when Smith got into it with Cardell Hayes -- and says the whole thing erupted after a "f**king fender bender" ... not a revenge plot as some speculated.

Here's Pierre's post in its entirety:

"The last few days has been a whirlwind and I am still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing. I flew out of New Orleans last night and back to Chicago because I couldn't think straight... I witnessed a close friend, teammate and a man that I thought of as one of my big brothers in the NFL shot to death OVER A F**KING FENDER BENDER!!!!"

"Why!? I just don't get it... these images that I have in my head will never leave me and I understand that and will have to live with it."

"I want to thank each and everyone of you, my family, friends, fans and the entire Who Dat Nation for all of your thoughts and prayers.... But let's send them instead to Will's family- his wife and 3 kids who have to be strong during this difficult time."

"People!! When is this sh*t going to stop?"

"There is so much senseless killing going on in our world, and I'm not saying that I have the answers to fix it."

"But I am willing to do my part to help and find a solution. My heart is heavy and I wish I could turn back the hands of time, but what is done is done."

The NFL Players Association has reached out to several of Will Smith's former NFL teammates to offer support and professional counseling to help with the grieving process.

TMZ Sports spoke with NFLPA spokesman Carl Francis who says the Assoc. wants to do everything in its power to help players who may be taking the death especially hard.

"We're here to support the players. We've been in contact with the players and their reps. Counseling is available."

Smith played 9 seasons in the NFL -- all of them with the Saints (he did spend some time with the Patriots but never played in a game for them).

Tiffany "New York" Pollard is taking a step back on an attempt to capitalize on her notorious David Gest death fumble.

A rep for Pollard tells us they just removed a listing for the "David is Dead" shirts, which the reality star had been selling on her website. Gest was found dead in London earlier Tuesday.

Pollard's merchandise poked fun at her viral moment on UK's "Celebrity Big Brother" back in January. Pollard broke into hysterics after Angie Bowie told her "David is dead" -- Pollard mistook David Bowie's death for that of housemate David Gest.

The Ohio State football program is paying tribute to Will Smith at the annual Spring Game this weekend -- honoring the late Buckeye with a customized helmet decal.

OSU's athletic director Gene Smith announced ... "Honoring Buckeye great Will Smith Saturday at our Spring Game. Tribute to include helmet decal & moment of silence."

David Gest, Liza Minnelli's ex-husband, has died in London.

Gest was found dead in the Four Seasons Hotel at the Canary Wharf ... according to police.

London cops said, "Police were called at 10:17 on Tuesday to the Four Seasons Hotel, to reports of an unexplained death of a man in his 60s. London ambulance service were called to the scene."

It's unclear what caused his death. Police say an autopsy has been scheduled, but they tell us at this point it appears to be "non suspicious."

Gest and Liza were married from 2002 to 2007. He famously accused Liza of physcial abuse during their relationship.

He was on UK's "Celebrity Big Brother" earlier this year, but left the house early for undislcosed medical reasons.

He was planning to do a tour later this year with several soul singers. The title of the tour? "David Gest Is Not Dead, But Alive with Soul."

Gest was 62.

Willie Roaf is sick and tired of the gun violence in New Orleans ... and now, in the wake of Will Smith's shooting death -- he's demanding change.

The NFL Hall of Famer was at the airport in D.C. when he told us the entire New Orleans Saints organization is devastated by Smith's death.

Roaf also said the entire Saints organization is waiting to hear about plans for a memorial -- with Willie saying he's willing to drop everything and hop on a plane the second plans are finalized.

But Roaf -- who played 9 seasons with the Saints -- says the bigger issue is the gun violence in New Orleans.

A makeshift memorial to ex-Saints player Will Smith has sprung up at the New Orleans street corner where he was shot and killed this weekend ... and it continues to grow.

We spoke with John Harkins -- owner of Harkins the Florist Inc (a flower shop near the memorial) -- who tells us fans and non-fans have been streaming into the shop all day Monday buying arrangements to contribute to the memorial.

But it's not just flowers ... people are also leaving Saints memorabilia, gold and black balloons and signs condemning the senseless violence.

Smith was killed Saturday night during an altercation following a car accident. Cops have arrested the shooter, who insists he only fired in self-defense.

Paul Walker could have banked up to $80 million off his acting had his life not been cut short.

Universal executives had already committed to 3 more 'Fast and Furious' films while Paul and company were filming the seventh installment ... this according to legal docs in the wrongful death case filed by Paul's 17-year-old daughter Meadow.

Meadow claims the additional movies -- plus other projects -- would have made his bank account swell by anywhere between $30 and $80 million.

Paul's earning prospects was a big factor in the settlement Meadow struck with the estate of the driver, Roger Rodas. The estate -- most likely the insurance co. -- paid her $10.1 million.

According to the docs ... Meadow and her mom got court permission to use $2 million from the settlement to buy a new house.

3:09 P.M. PT -- Prosecutors say Smith was shot in the back and right torso. Hayes appeared in court and his bond was set at $1 million.

Hayes' lawyer told the judge his client -- who he says is a pro football player -- called 911 himself, and waited for cops to arrive, but did not say why he pulled the trigger in the first place.

Former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith was shot and killed Saturday night, and it appears to be a case of road rage.

Smith and his wife were driving in New Orleans when they were involved in a fender bender. Eyewitnesses say 6 to 8 shots rang out shortly thereafter and they found the former defensive end slumped over the steering wheel.

Smith's wife was was shot twice and survived. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance. No word on her condition.

The 28-year-old shooter, Cardell Hayes, has been arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder.

Hugh Hefner's younger brother -- a fixture on 'Girls Next Door' -- died at his home in Beverly Hills ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us Keith Hefner passed Friday morning. He'd been battling cancer, but it's unclear if that's what caused his death.

He was 87.

Keith had been a longtime exec at Playboy -- handling Bunny training and recruitment (you're welcome). He also did some acting, appearing in a few movies and TV shows like the classic sitcom, "Get Smart."

He was married to model Caya Hefner, and is widely credited with inventing the Bunny Dip ... the sexy move servers used to deliver drinks at Playboy Clubs (you're welcome, again).

Daisy Lewellyn, who starred on the reality show "Blood, Sweat & Heels," died Friday after battling a rare form of cancer.

Daisy suffered from bile duct cancer, which attacks the digestive tract leading to the liver. She revealed her diagnosis to the cast during season two of the Bravo reality series.

A Bravo spokesperson said, "Daisy passed on in peace and filled with joy, surrounded by her family and friends. We are all saddened to lose this wonderful woman."

The California native had worked at several fashion publications before securing a spot on the show in 2013. She was known as the Queen of Effortless Chic in fashion circles, and had written for InStyle, Glamour and Essence magazines.

Daisy was 36.

Country music legend Merle Haggard has died after battling double pneumonia ... according to his manager.

Haggard was diagnosed with pneumonia last year and spent 11 days at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage early this year. He died at home near Redding, CA on Wednesday morning.

He'd been battling back from the illness and even scheduled a string of concert dates with his pal Willie Nelson. They released an album, "Django and Jimmie" last year.

But last week Haggard canceled his shows for the month of April due to his continuing efforts to recover. His manager tells us Merle was weary from battling pneumonia for so long ... and had even predicted to friends he would die on his birthday.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

Merle turned 79 today.

11:00 AM PT -- Willie Nelson tells TMZ, "He was my brother, my friend. I will miss him."