RIP

Jon Stewart paid his final respects to Ground Zero first responder Luis Alvarez, who just days before his death, sitting side-by-side with Stewart, pled with Congress to extend compensation funds for 9/11 victims.

Detective Alvarez's funeral was held Wednesday in NYC. He died Saturday from complications resulting from the cancer linked to months he spent combing through the rubble at Ground Zero.

Alvarez, a retired NYPD bomb squad detective, delivered a heart-wrenching testimony on Capitol Hill last month about his 9/11-related health issues and called for Congress to replenish the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund ... which is set to expire next year.

Alvarez said it was his goal and legacy to make sure lawmakers do the right thing for all 9/11 responders.

Stewart also spoke in front of the committee and made a passionate plea for Congress to approve the extension of the fund, while also chastising members for not making it a priority.

The former 'Daily Show' host attended Alvarez's funeral along with Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney and countless members of law enforcement.

Alvarez was 53.

Just one day after the death of their teammate, Tyler Skaggs, the L.A. Angels decided to take the field against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday ... and they WON!

The Angels dedicated the game to Skaggs -- and had decided that playing the game is what the 27-year-old would have wanted them to do.

It was an emotional game ... with the Halos emerging victorious in a 9-4 game.

Afterward, Mike Trout fought back tears as he talked about how much Skaggs meant to the team.

"We were close," Trout said ... "I see these guys more than my family."

Right fielder Kole Calhoun hit a home run in the 8th inning to help seal the victory -- and pointed to the sky in an obvious reference to Skaggs.

"We know we’ve got an angel watching over us now," Calhoun told reporters after the game.

"When I got to the plate, it felt right to pay some respect to him, and like I said, we know we’ve got somebody watching over us up there."

L.A. Angels starting pitcher Jose Suarez also honored Skaggs with “RIP 45” on his cap -- along with Tyler's initials "TSK" written above the bill.

Multiple people who were hanging out with Tyler Skaggs on the day before he died tell TMZ Sports there were no obvious signs anything was wrong -- "He seemed completely normal."

One source tells us, "I was with him on Sunday. He seemed like himself."

Another source added, "There was no indication anything was wrong" ... saying the 27-year-old's death was "shocking," especially since Tyler had pitched just 2 days before he died.

Skaggs and the rest of the L.A. Angels flew from Anaheim to Dallas on Sunday ... and Skaggs was in such a good mood, he suggested the team take a funny Cowboy-themed team photo at the airport. He posted the photo Sunday evening saying, "Howdy ya'll."

The very next day, Skaggs was found unconscious in his hotel room -- and was pronounced dead at the scene when paramedics arrived.

Officials say there were no obvious signs of suicide or foul play -- and the medical examiner is currently investigating. An autopsy and toxicology tests have been performed but the results have not been made public. It could take between 4 and 6 weeks for the toxicology results to come back.

Auto industry icon Lee Iacocca -- forever connected to the Ford Mustang and former chairman of Chrysler -- has died ... according to a family source. 

A family member tells TMZ Iacocca passed away, but could not provide any further detail.

Iacocca is credited with saving Chrysler from bankruptcy back in the 1980s ... and he's often referred to as the father of the legendary Ford Mustang. While he was always known within the auto industry ... he became a household name across America when he starred in a series of TV advertisements for Chrysler.  

His famous catchphrase in the ads was ... "If you can find a better car, buy it." 

Lee was born in Allentown, Penn. after his parents immigrated to the United States from Italy ... and he got his start in the automotive industry way back in 1946, working as an engineer at Ford Motor Company. He's credited with leading the team that created the very first Mustang in 1964.

He went on to rise through the ranks at Ford, becoming the car giant's CEO in 1970 before being fired from his position by Henry Ford II some 8 years later. 

Lee quickly landed on his feet, joining Chrysler and becoming their CEO. 

In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan appointed Iacocca as chairman of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission, and Lee was tasked with raising money to restore the Statue of Liberty.

Lee was 94. 

RIP

The Los Angeles Angels players and manager had a team discussion and agreed to play the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night because they felt it's what Tyler Skaggs would have wanted.

Angels manager Brad Ausmus along with General Manager Billy Eppler, owner Arte Moreno and president John Carpino addressed the media Tuesday in a very emotional press conference to reflect on the 27-year-old pitcher who died Monday afternoon.

Ausmus and Eppler fought back tears as they explained what Skaggs meant to the team -- a beloved teammate, friend and family man.

Team officials said they still have no idea about what led to Skaggs' sudden death -- they're waiting on information from the medical examiner.

The Angels -- along with the Rangers and MLB -- agreed to postpone Monday's scheduled game in the wake of Tyler's death. But, Ausmus said the team met on Tuesday and decided to get back to action.

Ausmus and Eppler explained that playing baseball can help the players take their minds off of the sadness and give them a "refuge" from the tragedy.

Ausmus noted he doesn't think sitting in a hotel room would do the players any good.

Several Angels players attended the press conference -- including Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. They all sat quietly in the corner as Ausmus, Eppler and Moreno talked about Skaggs.

As we previously reported, Skaggs was found unconscious in his Texas hotel room where the team was staying around 2:20 PM on Monday ... and he was pronounced dead a short time later.

There's been a lot of speculation about how Skaggs died -- but so far, officials have not released a cause of death.

The Medical Examiner has said there were no obvious signs of suicide or foul play. An autopsy was conducted Tuesday morning but no word on the results. Toxicology results could take 4 to 6 weeks to come back.

Skaggs had just pitched 2 days before his death -- logging 5 strikeouts in 4.5 innings against the Oakland A's.

Skaggs had been having a standout 2019 season ... posting 7 wins and 78 strikeouts in 79.2 innings pitched.

"Happy Birthday to my big brother" ... 

That's how Kim Goldman began her letter to her late bro, Ron Goldman, on Tuesday -- while reflecting on his life 25 years after his death. 

"You would have turned 51 today - just insane to think about all of the years lost, absolutely breaks my heart," Kim wrote in a note posted on social media. 

Of course, Ron was brutally murdered on June 12, 1994 ... when he was only 25 years old. 

At the time of his death, Ron was working as a waiter at the Mezzaluna Trattoria restaurant in Brentwood and had gone to Nicole Brown Simpson's condo to return a pair of sunglasses that had been left at the eatery earlier that day. 

While at Nicole's home, Ron and Nicole were ambushed by a knife-wielding scumbag who killed both of them. 

Kim Goldman says she's still trying to focus on the good times she shared with her big brother.

"The what-if's torture my spirit, so instead I will focus on your smile, your zest for life, your kindness, the memories of us growing up, our talks, our laughs, our tears."

"I will focus on the tremendous adoration and respect I have for you and I will hold on dearly to the memory of what your hugs felt like, cuz I sure could use one."

She ended her letter, "All the love in the world, xo Squirt."

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed Tuesday on L.A. Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner tells TMZ Sports.

As part of the examination process, we're told the M.E. is also conducting toxicology tests to find out what (if anything) was in Skaggs' system when he died.

Officials say they found 27-year-old Skaggs unconscious in his hotel room in Texas around 2:18 PM on Monday -- just hours before L.A. was set to take on the Rangers.

Emergency responders were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cops say no foul play was suspected and police sources tell us there were no obvious signs of suicide.

We're told toxicology results are expected back in about 4-6 weeks ... and the autopsy is scheduled to begin sometime Tuesday.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs was found dead in Texas on Monday morning, the team has announced.

The 27-year-old had just pitched against the Oakland As on Saturday. The team is currently in Texas to play the Rangers.

Details surrounding his death are unclear. Major League Baseball has cancelled Monday night's game as a result.

The Angels issued a statement saying, "It is with great sorrow that we report Tyler Skaggs passed away earlier today in Texas."

"Tyler has, and always will be, an important part of the Angels Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carli and his entire family during this devastating time."

Phillies superstar Bryce Harper has shared his condolences ... saying, "By far the nastiest prep arm I ever faced. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tyler's family! Gone too soon!"

Cleveland Indians ace Trevor Bauer added ... "We came up together. We won together. We laughed and celebrated together. Today, we all lose and mourn together."

"Your memory, your love for life, everything that made you, you, will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who knew you. Rest In Peace brother. We love you."

Angels superstar Mike Trout spoke out about his teammate, saying "Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carli and their families."

"Remembering him as a great teammate, friend, and person who will forever remain in our hearts... we love you, 45."

Skaggs posted a picture with his teammates on Sunday after touching down in Texas for the Angels' series against the Rangers.

Skaggs was drafted by the Angels in the 1st round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2012 for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he played until 2013. He later returned to the Angels where he's played ever since (he missed the 2015 season due to surgery).

There was a private and secret send-off for Beth Chapman in Hawaii that only Dog the Bounty Hunter and his family knew was happening ... TMZ has learned.

Sources directly connected to the family tell us ... this past weekend, Dog and his children spread some of Beth's ashes and flowers in Hawaii's Waikiki waters and bid her aloha in the state she loved and called home for many years.

As we reported ... the family paid respects to Beth Saturday with a public memorial service at Fort DeRussy Beach Park, attended by Dog and his family. During that event, a group also boarded an outrigger vessel and paddled out without Dog on board, and we've now learned why.

Our sources say during the paddle-out -- when everyone was distracted by the final ride -- Dog and his kids quietly walked away, boarded a private boat and headed out to sea to spread the ashes. This was one of Beth's final wishes.

We're told the family didn't spread all the ashes -- they saved some ashes, possibly for another service Dog is planning for Beth's native home state of Colorado.

TMZ broke the story ... Beth died last week at a Honolulu hospital, days after she had been placed in a medically-induced coma. She had been battling cancer for a long time.

She was 51.

Beth Chapman is being remembered with one final voyage into Hawaiian waters at the hands of her friends and family ... this in the wake of her tragic death. 

Dog the Bounty Hunter's wife is being memorialized Saturday at Fort DeRussy Beach in Waikiki -- where Duane and much of her family, as well as some friends, are in attendance for one final goodbye. The ceremony just got started -- Duane showed up with other members of Beth's fam. The scene is beautiful, albeit somber.

The service is being done with some Hawaiian customs in mind -- we're told a traditional chant known as an oli will be performed, and a prayer's to be said while a paddle-out will be carried out by Duane and co. Looks like the prayer and chant are underway.

Dog just delivered a heartfelt speech as well, thanking those who came out to pay their respects to his wife ... and sharing why Hawaii was so special to her.

Based on how many people showed up, it's clear Duane honored Beth's wishes of having her dual memorials be open to the public. It's a relatively modest-sized crowd for now, but it could grow as things continue. 

A Colorado service is still being planned -- Beth and Dog had a home there too. 

TMZ broke the story ... Beth died Wednesday at a hospital in Honolulu, where she'd been placed in a medically-induced coma a few days prior as a result of another choking emergency related to her cancer. She was 51. 

Duane addressed Beth's passing to the media outside his Honolulu home, saying her death came fast ... but also remembered her with some light humor. Folks even started leaving flowers at a makeshift tribute near the home as well -- it's clear she was beloved by the people there. 

Like we told you ... the network that made both Duane and Beth icons, A&E, is also giving the late reality TV star a proper send-off by airing an in memoriam segment at the end of their 4-hour "Dog the Bounty Hunter" slot for Monday's broadcast. 

She leaves behind her husband, and several children, step-children and grandchildren. 

RIP

Dog the Bounty Hunter said his wife Beth Chapman's death came fast, but because she was fighting cancer -- she made plans for the worst ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the Chapman family tell TMZ ... Dog and Beth's children had several discussions with her about her memorial arrangements if she died. The couple have homes in both Hawaii and Colorado, and we're told she laid out details for send-offs in both places -- open to anyone who wants to come.

Obviously, Beth's talks with her family about what to do after her passing were not easy to have, but our sources say they're glad they did it so they can carry out her wishes.

As we reported ... Dog addressed Beth's death to the media outside his Honolulu home Wednesday night, and paid tribute to her with some jokes and a touching final message.

People began leaving flowers next to a painting of Beth and on her car as tribute, but her official Hawaii memorial service will be held Saturday afternoon at Fort DeRussy Beach in Waikiki.

It will include a Hawaiian chant known as an oli, a prayer, and a paddle out with family and friends in her honor. Beth's daughters say she loved Hawaii the most, so they're sending her off in fitting style.

We're told Dog is still finalizing the schedule for Beth's Colorado memorial.

Another member of Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson's family is in bad shape -- her Uncle Billy got in a nasty car wreck and suffered major injuries ... and the other driver died.

Sources close to Alana tell TMZ ... Billy -- the younger brother of her father, Sugar Bear -- was involved in a 2-car accident outside Atlanta on Father's Day. We're told he was struck head-on by a driver traveling on the wrong side of the road, and that person was killed.

Billy broke his leg, both arms, several ribs and his jaw in the crash ... and suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns because his vehicle caught fire after the crash.

We've obtained photos of the grisly scene, showing the car ablaze along a guardrail and the aftermath.

Our sources say Billy's been in the hospital since the accident, and he's already undergone 5 surgeries to repair his injuries and has 2 more to go.

Sadly, we're told the tragedy has stoked animosity among Honey Boo Boo's family members ... especially toward Sugar Bear. Our sources say they feel like he's abandoning his brother, because he's been practically invisible at the hospital other than visiting Billy once the first week he was there.

Meanwhile, we're told Alana's other uncle, Poodle, has been by Uncle Billy's side almost 24/7.

As we've reported ... Honey Boo Boo's also dealing with turmoil in her immediate family, stemming from her mother Mama June's troubling relationship with Geno Doak and her apparent substance abuse.

Alana refuses to move back in with her mom until Geno's gone and, after the incident where he was wasted and crashed into June's house ... that's probably a good idea.

Beth Chapman is getting a special sendoff from the TV network where she and her husband became icons.

Honchos at A&E tell TMZ ... the network's regular 4-hour block of "Dog the Bounty Hunter" episodes next Monday morning will conclude with onscreen "In memoriam" tributes to Beth. 

As you know ... Beth and Duane "Dog" Chapman started their rise to fame back in 2004, when A&E first started airing their first reality show. The series had a long run for eight seasons, became nationally syndicated and even spawned a few spin-offs on other networks. 

A&E reps also add, "We are very saddened by the loss of Beth Chapman and our thoughts are with Dog and the entire Chapman family during this difficult time." We're told the network's also planning to schedule a marathon of 'Dog' episodes in coming weeks.

As we've reported ... Beth suffered a choking emergency at her and Dog's home in Hawaii last weekend, and she was placed in a medically-induced coma. Doctors felt placing Beth in a coma gave her the best shot at pulling through, but she was unable to recover and died Wednesday morning. 

Dog the Bounty Hunter says the family's trying its best to celebrate the life of his wife ... but her death came unexpectedly, so they're hurting pretty bad right now.

Duane "Dog" Chapman spoke outside his Honolulu home Wednesday night about Beth's passing, saying it's a terrible time ... but he's feeling the love and support from millions around the world.

He also joked that on the bright side -- Beth would appreciate being famous in death ... getting to #1 trending on Twitter.

Dog got serious and emotional talking about her death, though ... revealing it came really fast and -- despite knowing the day would come as she battled cancer -- the family wasn't prepared for it.

He said ... "This cancer gig, of course, we gotta find a cure, because all we have now is some get lucky, but most pass away."

Chapman also cautioned any fans donating money to the family for Beth, telling them to save their cash because they're good on funds right now.

Dog then said he's still feeling Beth's presence ... and had some final words for her.

We broke the story ... Beth died Wednesday in a Honolulu hospital, days after being placed in a medically-induced coma. She had a years-long battle with cancer, which ultimately took her life.

She was 51. RIP.

Beth Chapman was taping alongside Duane "Dog" Chapman almost until her last day, but there's some unfinished work to be done ... and now it's in Dog's hands to decide how their project will end.

Their new show, "Dog's Most Wanted," had been shooting for several months, and they were coming to a close last weekend ... according to production sources. As you know, Beth suffered a choking emergency Saturday at their home in Hawaii and was placed in a medically-induced coma.

Although they were mid-production, we're told cameras were NOT rolling at that time.

Beth -- who was just as involved with the show as Dog -- was still scheduled to shoot for the series' final episodes.

Obviously, production came to a halt with Beth's hospitalization, and her death now means some big decisions have to be made about how to end the season. We're told it's possible producers will use the material they have in the can to put together an ending -- or shooting could resume after Dog and his family have time to cope with their matriarch's passing.

"Dog's Most Wanted" profiled both the family's bounty hunting business and also shed light on Beth's cancer battle. We're told it will ultimately be Dog's decision on whether there's enough raw footage to end the series, and also tell Beth's story.

As we first reported, doctors decided placing Beth in a coma would give her the best shot at surviving -- but she never recovered and died Wednesday morning.

Max Wright, who famously played the father on the 80s hit sitcom "ALF" -- died Wednesday ... TMZ has learned.

Family sources tell TMZ ... the actor passed away in his home in Hermosa Beach, CA ... just outside Los Angeles. We're told Max had battled cancer for years. He was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 1995, but had been in remission for a long time.

Max was a veteran TV star whose most popular role was as Willie Tanner on the puppet-led sitcom -- which ran for 4 seasons on NBC. He's also known for acting in shows like "Buffalo Bill," "Cheers," "Misfits of Science," "Dudley" and "Norm."

He also starred in a ton of movies -- "All That Jazz," "Reds," "The Sting II," "Soul Man," "The Shadow" and several others. All in all, Max had more than 60 credits to his name, dating back to 1974.

His wife, Linda Ybarrondo, to whom he was married since 1965, died in 2017 from breast cancer. They had 2 children together.

Max's costar Michu Meszaros -- who played the main character, ALF (Alien Life Form for those not in the know) -- in the early seasons ... passed away in June 2016 at the age of 76.

Max was 75 years old.

RIP