RIP

David Letterman's mother, Dorothy Mengering -- who endeared hearts among the masses that watched her son's late night show -- died in her home Tuesday.

The former church secretary became a staple on the 'Late Show' as a correspondent during the Olympics in Norway, Japan and Utah. She was also featured on her son's famous "Top 10" lists and "Cooking with Dave's Mom" segments.

Dorothy died 1 day before Dave's 70th birthday.

Dorothy's survived by her three children, five grandchildren and her sister.

She was 95.

#RIP

John Warren Geils Jr., founder of The J. Geils Band, was found dead in his home Tuesday in Massachusetts.

John's body was found in his home in Groton. Police say the death is not suspicious.

John's namesake band released their first album in 1970. Their first big hit, "Love Stinks" came in 1980, and they finally scored a number one with "Centerfold" in 1981. The album it came from, "Freeze Frame," was also number one for 4 weeks, and stayed on the charts for 70 weeks.

Just to give you an idea how the big band was in the early '80s -- the Eagles, U2 and Billy Joel all opened for J. Geils on the road.

Geils was 71 years old.

Story developing ...

Peter Hansen -- who played Lee Baldwin for 5 decades on the iconic soap opera "General Hospital" -- died Sunday in Santa Clarita, California.

Peter's character started out as an addiction counselor at the hospital, and then the role morphed into Mayor of Port Charles.

Hansen won an Emmy for his alcoholism story line in 1979.

Hansen was also known for his role in the movies "When Worlds Collide" and "Dragonfly" ... and has over 100 acting credits to his name over an almost 70-year career.

He is survived by his son and daughter and 3 grandkids.

He was 95.

MTV issued a statement about Clay, saying, "We are saddened by the news of Clay Adler's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time."

Reality TV star Clay Adler is dead after intentionally shooting himself during a trip to the desert with friends ... TMZ has learned.

Clay appeared on 2 seasons of the MTV reality show, "Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County." Law enforcement sources tell us Clay and his pals went shooting in the desert on March 25. In the middle of firing, we're told he turned the gun and shot himself in the head.

He died in the hospital on March 26 of the gunshot wound.

Our sources say there were no drugs or alcohol in his system, but Clay had struggled with mental illness in the past.

Clay also did some acting, and became pals with Jennifer Lawrence when they were both starting out in Hollywood.

He was an avid surfer, and friends and family honored him with a paddle out in Newport Beach last weekend. Clay was 27.

RIP.

Tupac fans will have a brand new place to pay their respects when a bigger than life, $500,000 statue of him is erected in Georgia.

Jim Burnett owns the amphitheater formerly known as the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, and tells us he's installing a new 'Pac monument to replace the old one the rapper's family took when they sold the Center in 2015.

Burnett's hired artist Nijel Binns -- who's done statues of Michael Jackson and Shirley Temple -- to lead the project. Binns says he's creating a 7-foot bronze statue based on a 13-inch clay model, which Burnett estimates will cost more than half a million bucks to complete.

They're planning to unveil the new statue in September, around the 21st anniversary of Tupac's death. We'll say this ... the new one's way more gangsta than the OG.

Ex-NHL player Dave Gove -- a member of the Carolina Hurricanes 2006 Stanley Cup team -- died this week and officials believe a heroin overdose is to blame.

Gove struggled with addiction and had entered a rehab facility in Pittsburgh. He was reportedly found dead at the treatment center on Wednesday with bags of heroin near his body, according to KDKA.

Gove only played briefly in the NHL before becoming a coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins minor league hockey team in West Virginia.

While Gove wasn't a star on the Hurricanes, he did get a Stanley Cup ring -- which he eventually auctioned off in 2015.

Jimmy Kimmel smiled, laughed and broke down crying Thursday night while remembering his close friend and beloved comedian Don Rickles.

Jimmy opened "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" by reflecting on his time with Rickles over the years and telling some heartwarming and hilarious stories. Rickles became a very close friend of Kimmel's ... even helping Jimmy through the death of his uncle.

Don's final TV project is a reality show yet to air in which he chats with celebrities -- including Kimmel -- at some of his favorite restaurants around Los Angeles.

Don Rickles had already shot a full season of his reality show, "Dinner with Don," when he died ... and TMZ got a first look at some of the footage.

The show features Don chatting with various celebs -- including Jimmy Kimmel, Amy Poehler, Sarah Silverman and Paul Rudd -- at some of his favorite restaurants around L.A.

The project -- produced by AARP Studios -- hasn't aired yet and it's unclear when it will ... but we're told 10-12 episodes were shot.

Don Rickles, one of the most legendary, iconic and influential comedians in history, has died.

We've learned Don died Thursday morning of kidney failure at his home in Los Angeles. His wife, Barbara, was by his side.

Don rose to fame in the '60s ... he got a huge boost by making regular appearances on "The Tonight Show" and "The Dean Martin Show."

Rickles got Frank Sinatra's attention in Miami Beach when he performed a comedy routine, and the 2 regularly worked together throughout the years.

Rickles was the best insult comic ever, and was a master at roasting celebs at The Friar's Club. Getting roasted by Rickles was a brutal badge of honor.

He started performing in Vegas in the '80s with Steve Lawrence and took the town by storm.

Don had his own TV show, "The Don Rickles Show," on ABC.

He played voice of Mr. Potato Head in the 'Toy Story' movies.

He also was a regular on "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Addams Family" and "Gilligan's Island."

Don was 90.

RIP

Paul O'Neill -- founder of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- was stiff and clearly non-revivable when a hotel employee found him and called 911.

In the emergency call -- obtained by TMZ -- the dispatcher tries walking the employee through how to perform CPR before abandoning the plan after determining the body was "stiff."

Paul O'Neill -- founder of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- has died after a private battle with a chronic illness, the band confirms. He was 61.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... Paul was found dead in a Tampa hotel room. There are no signs of foul play, but police don't know yet how long he was deceased before they responded to a 911 call. We're told the Medical Examiner has his body now.

Paul's band says, "The entire Trans-Siberian Orchestra family, past and present, is heartbroken to share the devastating news that Paul O’Neill has passed away from chronic illness," a statement said on the band's official Facebook page.

"He was our friend and our leader -- a truly creative spirit and an altruistic soul. This is a profound and indescribable loss for us all."

O'Neill created the band back in 1996 and hit it big with its metal-infused take on classic Christmas songs. The band has sold more than 12 MILLION albums.

Gilbert Baker, the man who created the rainbow flag for gay pride, has died ... according to his close friend.

Gilbert was an openly gay man and civil rights activist. He created the flag for the 1978 Pride Festival in San Francisco. According to his website, Gilbert taught himself to sew at a young age after serving time in the army, and used those skills to make banners for gay and anti-war protest marches.

He was heavily involved within the San Francisco gay rights movement and had a close friendship with Harvey Milk.

Gilbert's friend and fellow activist, Cleve Jones, posted the news of his death, writing, "I am heartbroken. My dearest friend in the world is gone ... he gave me forty years of love and friendship. I can't stop crying. I love you forever Gilbert Baker."

Cleve didn't say how Gilbert died.

He was 65 years old.

R.I.P.

Mike Hall -- one of the most famous endurance cyclists in the world -- died early Friday morning after he was hit by a car during a race in Australia.

The 35-year-old was competing in the Indian Pacific Wheel Race from Perth to Sydney when the collision occurred near the end of the 3,300 mile race.

Hall was in 2nd place during the race when the crash occurred around 6:20 AM on the Monaro Highway.

Event organizers immediately canceled the race following the incident.

Darlene Cates, who played the Gilbert's mom in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," has died.

We're told Darlene died Sunday morning in her sleep ... this according to family.

She was discovered by the screenwriter of the movie, Peter Hedges, after seeing her on "Sally Jessy Raphael." The show was titled, "Too Heavy to Leave Their House." Darlene talked about obesity and the pelvic infection that caused her to gain nearly 150 pounds.

Hedges offered Darlene the role of Leo DiCaprio's morbidly obese mom in 'Gilbert Grape,' which became an instant classic.

RIP

John Singleton's always dropping knowledge ... his subject this time around -- Tupac.

The famed director was leaving The London NYC on Monday when we asked about Pac's many talents ... and we're not talking just rap skills. Remember, he co-starred in John's "Poetic Justice" back in '93 ... so he would know.

This clip is really interesting, especially considering Tupac's about to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Zayn Malik's young cousin has died after battling a brain tumor for years.

Arshiya Malik was only 5, but had been diagnosed with the tumor several years ago. Zayn took a touching photo with Arshiya and his then fiancée, Perrie Edward, back in 2014 ... the same year his family said, "Doctors have given up on Arshiya but she is still fighting brave like a soldier."

Zayn was "really close" to Arishiya, according to the Daily Mail. He hasn't commented yet about her passing.

The little girl's mother posted a pic, saying ... "An angel wrote in the book of life my baby's date of birth, then whispered as she closed the book.. 'Too beautiful for earth.'"