RIP

Cory Monteith's father could be cut off from the "Glee" star's estate funds ... after admitting he abandoned his son for most of his life.

In new court docs ... Joe Monteith, cops to not communicating with his son from the time he was "nine years old until his twenties" -- and to ditching on child support payments. Cory's mother says under the law... Joe's confession means he doesn't deserve a cent from the estate.

The docs reveal Cory's estate is worth $810,000 -- and his old roommate, Zachary Larson, will be in charge of paying off various debts ... such as $80K in taxes and another $15K to unnamed creditors.

Since Monteith did not have a will when he died in 2013 from a drug overdose -- the lion's share of his estate will go to his mother.

Darren Shahlavi, who appeared in popular TV shows including "Mortal Kombat: Legacy" and "Arrow," died of an apparent overdose ... TMZ has learned.

Shahlavi was found dead January 14 at his L.A. home and law enforcement sources tell us ... it appears he overdosed on prescription meds.

We're told the 42-year-old actor sadly had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.

He pursued a stunt career in Hong Kong in the '90s and eventually came to the U.S. to pursue acting.

In addition to the various shows, Shahlavi starred in the 2012 TV movie "Aladdin and the Death Lamp." He also had a classic fight scene in the cult movie "Ip Man 2."

We're told the L.A. County Coroner is conducting toxicology tests before determining the exact cause of death.

"Arrow" star Stephen Amell -- who fought Darren on the show's first episode -- called him a "great dude & a patient, thoughtful partner."

Bravo star and fitness instructor Greg Plitt did NOT die from stumbling on a railroad track Saturday ... he was fatally struck by a train after trying to outrun it ... to prove the effectiveness of an energy drink.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... they have reviewed video of the accident and it shows Plitt standing on the tracks as the train barrels toward him. Shortly before the train reaches Plitt he assumes a runners stance and bolts down the track.

The video shows the train closes in on Plitt as he races at breakneck speed, but he loses the battle and the train "clips" him ... throwing him off the track to his death. It happens quickly and after getting struck he disappears from the video.

And law enforcement tells us they found multiple energy drink bottles near the track and authorities think Plitt may have been hopped up from the caffeine. We're told he was shooting a commercial for the product.

One of the investigators interviewed someone involved in Plitt's video shoot who said Plitt was trying to make the point that the energy drink makes you like Superman ... able to outrun a speeding train.

Brazilian pro surfer Ricardo Dos Santos died Tuesday -- one day after he was shot multiple times ... but the details surrounding the shooting are sketchy at best.

No one seems to be disputing the fact that Ricardo -- a 24-year-old rising star in the sport -- was shot and died as a result of his injuries.

But there seems to be conflicting reports about who fired the shots and why.

There are some reports that say Ricardo saw two men using drugs on the beach and asked them to stop -- when one of the men suddenly began to open fire.

Another report says Ricardo was doing home repairs with his grandfather when he got into it with some other men over a pipe that was being used in the project ... and the men shot him.

Tributes have been pouring in from all over the surf community -- with Kelly Slater dedicating a surf session to his late friend.

There are reports that a man was taken into custody in connection with the shooting. We're working on confirming the details.

Bravo's "Work Out" fitness star Greg Plitt was attempting to pull off a dangerous thrill seeking stunt -- just to sell sports drinks -- when he was hit and killed by a commuter train.

Law enforcement sources tell us Plitt was shooting a commercial for a new sports drink -- near the Burbank, CA Metrolink station -- when he attempted to outrun an oncoming train.

Sources close to Plitt say he had worked out near the tracks many times before -- but this shoot turned tragic when he tripped and fell on the tracks ... and couldn't recover in time to get out of the way.

As for why he was on the same track as the speeding train, our sources say Plitt was a highly driven adrenaline junkie. A promotional video for his website is especially eerie now ... since the whole thing was shot in the shadow of a rail yard.

The coroner says Greg's official cause of death is multiple blunt force trauma.

Famed music producer Kim Fowley, who died last Thursday, had a last wish ... he wanted to be abused and mutilated by fetish models.

Fowley -- who worked with The Runaways, KISS and Alice Cooper -- made plans in 2012 with the publisher of "Girls and Corpses" Magazine to feature his dead body on the cover.

According to emails Kim sent the publisher, a photog, and his then-girlfriend -- the singer/songwriter wanted a full spread featuring a group of fetish models violating his corpse.

Kim said, "Snow [his GF] and her fetish friends, could mutilate the body, providing real blood & guts and set my bones and blood on fire." He also said he'd fund the whole thing.

The publisher passed on the really gory stuff, but agreed to shoot his dead body with girls on top for the cover.

But here's the snag. Kim moved on, found a new girlfriend who he married, and she has control of the body. But they can't find her to allow them to shoot the body.

And when it comes to corpses, even a good composer decomposes over time.

5:45 PM PST: Cops say two men were filming Plitt on the tracks when the train conductor spotted him in the way. He attempted to stop and began sounding his horn -- but Plitt remained on the tracks.

Investigators seized video of the incident as evidence.

Fitness instructor Greg Plitt -- who appeared on the Bravo show "Work Out" -- died Saturday after he was struck by a train.

The 37 year-old was hit by a Metrolink train in Burbank around 4PM ... and according to KABC he was with some friends who may have been shooting video at the time.

One passenger reportedly said Plitt had a camcorder in his hands when he stumbled over the tracks.

Law enforcement tells us they believe Plitt was shooting a workout video at the time.

The incident is under investigation.

Plitt has modeled for Calvin Klein, Old Navy and Under Armour ... and images of his body were used to help create the physique of Dr. Manhattan in "The Watchmen."

The man who stabbed a former MLB player to death has been convicted of 2nd degree murder in a L.A. courtroom ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Rod Craig -- who played 4 seasons in the league back in the early '80s -- was living on the streets back in 2013 ... when he tried to stay at a homeless encampment but was turned away by other transients.

According to investigators, 55-year-old Craig tried to kick a dog as he left the encampment ... infuriating several people who chased after him and attacked ... with one of attackers stabbing Craig in the chest.

The terminally ill fan Eminem visited over the weekend, passed away Monday afternoon ... just about 24 hours after he got to meet his favorite rapper.

17-year-old Gage Garmo -- who was battling a rare type of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma -- died the day after Em arranged a secret visit to Gage's home Sunday ... and spent an hour talking and hanging out with him.

Gage's family said the visit really raised his spirits.

Veteran comedy actor Taylor Negron died Saturday ... this according to his cousin -- and he had been reportedly battling cancer for years.

Negron's cousin Chuck Negron -- lead singer of Three Dog Night -- confirmed the sad news with an emotional video ... saying the actor was surrounded by family when he passed away.

Taylor had roles in a slew of TV shows ... as well as famous movies like -- "Stuart Little," "Bio-Dome," Nothing But Trouble," "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Angels in the Outfield."

He was 57 years-old.

Mickey Rourke will never forget his deceased dog, even if he wants to ... because its nickname is now emblazoned on his arm.

Rourke paid homage to his four-legged buddy Jaws at a New York tattoo parlor Sunday night ... where the actor sat for 2 hours as the artist inscribed the dog's nickname, "Guapo Siempre" -- handsome forever -- on Mickey's arm.

It appears the Chihuahua went to dog heaven in the last few months. Mickey was emotional during the session, showing the tattoo artist pics of Jaws and telling stories about the tiny pooch.

The ink set Mickey back around $400, plus a big tip.

You may recall ... Mickey lost Loki, another chihuahua, a few years back, and it really broke him up.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant honored ESPN legend Stuart Scott on the court last night ... with a hand-written tribute to the anchor penned on his sneakers.

Stuart Scott was so passionate about continuing his MMA training during his fight with cancer, he REFUSED to quit ... even after doctors implanted a chemotherapy port into his chest.

"He was such an impressive person," says Sensei Darin Reisler ... who trained Scott in Connecticut.

"During his last round of chemotherapy, when he would train, he was training with the chemotherapy port surgically implanted in his chest. He did mixed martial arts... with a chemo port in his chest!"

Scott had said MMA training helped to get his energy up after grueling chemo sessions -- but Sensei Darin says Stuart wasn't just training to help himself.

"He really looked out for the needs of others. He was the first person to volunteer to work with a new student, and he always had a smile on his face."

Legendary ESPN anchor Stuart Scott has died at the age of 49 ... after a long battle with cancer.

The network made the announcement Sunday morning.

Scott joined ESPN in '93 as the host of "SportsNight" ... and eventually became a staple on "SportsCenter." He became a national superstar using catchphrases like "Boo-yah," "Call him butter, he's on a roll" and "Cooler than the other side of the pillow."

In July, Scott received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs ... and opened up about his battle with cancer.

"When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live."

President Obama released a statement about Scott's passing ... saying, “I will miss Stuart Scott. Twenty years ago, Stu helped usher in a new way to talk about our favorite teams and the day’s best plays. For much of those twenty years, public service and campaigns have kept me from my family – but wherever I went, I could flip on the TV and Stu and his colleagues on ‘SportsCenter’ were there.”

Scott is survived by two daughters -- and at the ESPYs, said being a dad is the best thing he was ever able to do.

"Taelor and Sydni, I love you guys more than I will ever be able to express. You two are my heartbeat. I am standing here on this stage tonight because of you."

Scott was a fighter all the way 'til the end -- and had been doing intense MMA training in between cancer treatments. Scott's sensei told TMZ Sports Scott REFUSED to let anyone take it easy on him in the ring and was known around the training facility as a "battle horse."

Donna Douglas -- who famously portrayed Elly May Clampett on the legendary 60s TV series "The Beverly Hillbillies" -- passed away Thursday at her home in Louisiana with friends and family by her side.

Douglas' granddaughter confirmed the death to TMZ.

Donna starred on "The Beverly Hillbillies" for all nine seasons and even returned for the 1981 reunion TV movie.

Douglas also appeared in several other iconic TV series, including "Mister Ed," "The Twilight Zone," "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," "Adam 12," and "Route 66."

She also co-starred with Elvis Presley in "Frankie and Johnny."

Douglas filed two famous lawsuits over the years. In the 1990s, she sued Disney claiming they stole the idea for "Sister Act" from her. In 2011, she sued Mattel for making a Barbie doll with her likeness without her permission. She lost the "Sister Act" case and settled the Barbie case.

Donna was 81.

Edward Herrmann -- perhaps best known for playing Richard Gilmore on "Gilmore Girls" -- died this morning in a hospital in New York. He was 71.

Herrmann's family tells TMZ he had been battling brain cancer and had been in ICU for the last 3 1/2 weeks. Ultimately, things did not improve and his family decided to take him off the respirator.

Herrmann was married twice and and his second wife Star tells TMZ the actor leaves behind 3 children.

Herrmann was on "Gilmore Girls" for its entire run and recently appeared in several episodes of "The Good Wife." He was also nominated for an emmy for his portrayal of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the '70's, was the head vampire in "The Lost Boys," and famously starred alongside Macaulay Culkin in "Richie Rich."

Lauren Graham -- Herrmann's TV daughter -- tweeted, "My friend Ed Herrmann was the kindest, classiest, most talented man. It was an honor and a joy to know him, a devastating blow to lose him."