RIP

Ice Cube's gone back to the drawing board with the fourth installment of "Friday" ... and he's clearly pissed.

The N.W.A. rapper revealed there's been some major beef between him and the film's production studio New Line Cinema ... for dragging its feet on green-lighting "Last Friday." The rub and possible deal-breaker ... John Witherspoon -- who plays Mr. Jones, Ice Cube's father in the film -- has died.

So, when we got Cube Friday at LAX, we asked if he'd ever considered using CGI in the film -- since Carrie Fisher's fam was okay with a Princess Leia CGI in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" -- and he could not have been clearer.

"Last Friday" is the fourth and final installment of the 'Friday' franchise that kicked off in 1995. It's been about 18 years since the last 'Friday' film, and Cube says, "It's all on New Line, man." He's especially pissed cause, if New Line Cinema didn't take its sweet time, they easily would've been able to put Witherspoon in the flick.

Back in May, Cube revealed he wanted to release the film on April 26, 2020 ... but that's clearly not happening now ... if ever.

Don Imus -- the legendary yet controversial radio personality -- has died ... according to a family spokesperson.

Imus died Friday at a hospital in College Station, Texas, after being admitted on Christmas Eve. A cause of death is unknown at this time.

The cowboy hat-wearing shock jock's death comes less than 2 years after he retired. His final day on the "Imus in the Morning" radio program was March 29, 2018. Don made the announcement of his retirement via Twitter in January 2018, saying ... "Turn out the lights...the party's over."

Imus hosted his radio show for almost 50 years, and was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1989.

His radio career began in the late '60s, and he started his morning show in 1971 at WNBC in New York City. Over the years, he became popular for pushing boundaries on the air ... but was also known for making comments considered racist, misogynistic and xenophobic.

Because of that, Don faced many lawsuits and accusations of defamatory speech, and had a well-known rivalry with fellow "shock jock" Howard Stern.

In 2007, Imus made headlines for his offensive remarks about the Rutgers Women's Basketball team, who he referred to as "nappy-headed 'hos" and "jigaboos."

He was fired by CBS shortly afterward, but made a return to radio and TV later that year.

A DoorDash delivery driver was shot and killed in an early morning armed robbery at a Denny's ... and a manhunt is on for the suspects.

The 2 men entered the restaurant in Manassas, Virginia around 2:20 AM the day after Christmas while brandishing guns and were reportedly robbing the place when Yusuf Ozgur, a DoorDash employee, arrived to pick up an order.

Ozgur was tragically killed when he encountered the suspects as they were running out ... according to police.

Surveillance footage shows the men running into the Denny's with dark clothes, masks and gloves on before holding the place up. Prince William County police describe them as in their late teens to early 20s.

Lee Mendelson -- the man behind over 50 Charlie Brown TV specials -- died on Christmas Day after a long battle with cancer ... according to his family.

The esteemed "Peanuts" producer reportedly passed away at his home in Hillsborough, CA. His son, Jason, says ... "It wasn’t great for us, but to have him pass on Christmas really ties into his history and legacy."

Along with producing the holiday television classic, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" in 1965, Lee also wrote the lyrics to “Christmas Time Is Here” ... the song famously featured in the special. The special brought Mendelson the first of his 12 Emmy Awards.

Mendelson earned his 12th Emmy in 2015 for “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown.” He's also won 4 Peabody Awards and was nominated for an Oscar and 2 Grammys.

Lee's relationship with "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz began in the '60s on the heels of Mendelson's acclaimed documentary about Willie Mays. Schultz saw it and agreed to work with Lee on another documentary ... but ended up producing the 'Charlie Brown Christmas' special instead.

The success of that led to 1966’s “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and 1973’s “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” among many others.

Mendelson teamed with "Garfield" creator Jim Davis in the '80s to produce the first animated short featuring the grumpy cat ... and went on to help launch the "Garfield and Friends" series in the early '90s.

Lee produced several documentaries and network specials outside of children's programming, as well. He's survived by his wife, Ploenta, 4 children, a stepson and 8 grandchildren.

Mendelson was 86.

It's eerie for sure ... George Michael's sister died on Christmas Day ... exactly 3 years after the singer himself died.

Melanie Panayiotou was found dead in her London home by her sister, Yioda. The cause of death was not revealed, but cops say it's not being treated as suspicious. Police would not elaborate.

55-year-old Melanie was close to her famous brother, who died on Xmas Day 2016, at age 53. He was also found dead in his home. The cause of death was dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis and a fatty liver.

Dog The Bounty Hunter is honoring his late wife's memory this Christmas ... with mementos from their holidays of yore.

Our Dog sources tell TMZ ... he used all of Beth's old Christmas decorations to get his home in the holiday spirit, and just couldn't bear to put up any new decor after her passing.

As you can see, Dog's got a huge Christmas tree in his living room ... and we're told it's full of Beth's favorite ornaments.

He'll be spending Christmas at his home in Colorado, where he'll be surrounded by close friends and family, including his son, Garry, and daughter, Bonnie Jo.

As you can imagine, it will be an emotional time for the Chapmans -- it's their first Xmas without Beth.

The holiday spread will have some of Beth's touches too ... we're told the family will be chowing down on Beth's old recipes for their Christmas dinner, as she used to cook for everyone.

On the menu -- deviled eggs with jalapenos, sweet potatoes with tons of brown sugar and corn syrup and homemade apple cider to wash it all down.

Get those tissues out.

The 49ers' victory this weekend was secured with heavy hearts after the team learned C.J. Beathard's brother had been killed -- something their head coach addressed head-on with grace after heading back to the locker room.

Kyle Shanahan talked to his guys after beating the Rams in the final seconds of Saturday's game, and he didn't shy away from the obvious ... their backup QB just learned of a major tragedy within his family hours before kickoff.

His younger bro, Clayton Beathard, had been stabbed to death in a bar fight out in Nashville earlier that morning.

Cops are reportedly saying the fight erupted after an "argument over a woman," which then ended up outside where Clayton and another man were fatally attacked. He was only 22.

Shanahan said he was with C.J. shortly after hearing the horrific news, and then shared what the quarterback told him as he was heading out the door. Watch ... it's gut-wrenching.

In video of the heart-to-heart moment, you can clearly see the 49ers players have tears in their eyes. Things end on an uplifting note though, as Shanahan thanks the team for playing tough in the wake of such news and pulling out a W for one of their own.

Robert Glenn "Junior" Johnson -- one of NASCAR's first superstars -- has died, the racing organization announced on Friday. He was 88.

Johnson won the Daytona 500 in 1960 ... and had 50 career wins and 148 top-10 finishes. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers in 1998.

"From his early days running moonshine through the end of his life, Junior wholly embodied the NASCAR spirit," Chairman and CEO Jim France said in a statement.

"He was an inaugural NASCAR Hall of Famer, a nod to an extraordinary career as both a driver and team owner."

"Between his on-track accomplishments and his introduction of Winston to the sport, few have contributed to the success of NASCAR as Junior has."

Johnson was a successful team owner ... and his drivers accounted for 6 Winston Cup Championships and 139 race wins.

"The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true giant of our sport, and we offer our deepest condolences to Junior’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

The "Wilkes County Wildman" retired from the sport in 1966 ... and was the most successful driver to never win a championship.

Model Mama Cax has died at the age of 30 after surviving cancer and a brief stay in the hospital.

A rep for Cax -- born Cacsmy Brutus -- posted the sad news on her Instagram Friday, saying, "It is with deep regret and immense sadness that we announce the passing of Cacsmy Brutus (Mama Cax). Mama Cax spent the past week in the hospital, and unfortunately, on Monday, December 16, 2019, she left this world."

They continue, "To say Cax was a fighter would be an understatement. As a cancer survivor, she had grown accustomed to taking on life's several challenges head on and successfully. It is with that same grit (fervor) that she fought her last days on Earth."

The family of "The Walking Dead" stuntman John Bernecker scored millions in a wrongful death lawsuit but it was significantly short of what they wanted.

A jury on Thursday awarded the estate $8.6 million after 2 days of deliberations ... this according to a report. AMC Networks was found NOT to be negligent, but the show and its production company, Stalwart Films, were found liable. Stalwart was found 40% responsible and the show is 25% responsible.

The jury ruled the victim -- Bernecker -- was 6% liable for his own negligence. There were others found liable as well, but it appears none will have to pay out of pocket. Insurance will cover the judgment.

Shahdon Winchester -- international soccer star from Trinidad and Tobago -- died on Thursday at the age of 27 ... after the car he was riding in crashed and caught fire.

Winchester -- a soccer vet who made his international debut in 2010 (he has 23 international caps) -- died alongside a highway in Trinidad on Thursday morning.

The soccer star was reportedly riding with his girlfriend and 2 other men when the car crashed and became engulfed in flames ... killing all 4 passengers.

Firefighters responded to the scene ... but none of the passengers could be saved.

Legendary high school football coach Herman Boone -- portrayed by Denzel Washington in the movie "Remember the Titans" -- has died at age 84, his school announced Wednesday.

Boone was the head coach at T.C. Williams High School in Virginia where he led a group of integrated players to a 13-0 record and a state championship in 1971 ... as well as national championship runner-up honors.

"It is with great sadness that we share the sad news of the passing of former Head Football Coach Herman Boone who lead the Titans to the State Championship in 1971," the school said on Wednesday.

The accomplishment was turned into a Disney flick in 2000 and starred Washington as the Titans head coach.

Washington received a Black Reel Award for Best Actor in 2001 for the role ... as well as Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards.

Boone's team gained national attention in 1971 ... when President Nixon dubbed the Titans "the team saved the city of Alexandria."

Boone continued to coach the Titans until he was let go in 1979.

Brian Tarantina -- famous for playing a comedy club emcee on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" -- died from an overdose of multiple drugs, including what has become the most dangerous drug of all -- fentanyl ... TMZ has learned.

The actor died from acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and Diazepam -- otherwise known as Valium ... this according to the NYC Chief Medical Examiner. They've ruled his death accidental.

We broke the story ... the veteran actor died back in November when cops said his body was discovered early one morning in his Manhattan apartment with a white powdery substance nearby.

Chuy Bravo -- Chelsea Handler's longtime TV sidekick and hypeman -- died from a heart attack after a brief hospitalization ... according to a rep for the late comedian.

The Mexican-American actor -- famous for his frequent appearances on "Chelsea Lately" -- suffered the fatal heart attack Sunday morning in a Mexico City hospital after being rushed to the emergency room Saturday afternoon due to a stomach issue.

We're told Chuy went to the ER with a Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage (GI Bleed) and after complications, he suffered the fatal heart attack.

As we reported ... Chuy's family announced his death Sunday afternoon, and Chelsea wrote a heartfelt tribute to her longtime collaborator.

Chuy's funeral services took place Monday in Mexico, according to his rep, and his body will be cremated. We're told his family is devastated and his remains will be transported back to Los Angeles for a memorial service, but a date has not yet been scheduled.

Bravo was 63.

RIP

Juice WRLD was properly honored Sunday night at Rolling Loud, where his girlfriend and at least one of his rap friends shared some kind words of remembrance.

At one point during Day 2 of the L.A. music festival, a DJ brought out Juice's GF, Ally, who told the crowd what she loved most about JW ... his ability to turn any negative into a positive, and his adoring love for his fans. Sounds like she was fighting back tears too.

Rapper YBN Cordae also spoke during the onstage tribute, and said he felt people use the word "brother" too much without much thought. He says Juice was a true brother to him, as well as a counselor and healer to everyone in the crowd. The audience seemed to agree.

Juice's reported music video director, Cole Bennett, was another person who got on the mic ... and he said while many go underappreciated while they're alive, he insisted Juice wasn't one of them. The tribute ended in one of his songs, "Lucid Dreams," and collective prayer.

You'll recall ... rapper Tyla Yaweh was another Rolling Loud performer who paid tribute to Juice WRLD during his set. He was one of a few expected to shout out JW at the show.

TMZ broke the story ... Juice WRLD died last week after suffering a seizure at Chicago's Midway Airport. Witnesses told cops they'd seen Juice ingest a bunch of pills at some point during the feds' search of his private jet, which resulted in drugs and guns being found.

Chelsea Handler's longtime TV sidekick and hypeman, Chuy Bravo, has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

The Mexican-American actor -- best known for his many appearances on "Chelsea Lately" -- passed away Sunday, according to his family. We're told Chuy was hospitalized Saturday in Mexico City, where he's been visiting family for the past month.

His family members say he came down with a terrible stomach ache Saturday and had to be rushed to an emergency room in town, where he stayed overnight. On Sunday, the family says they were told Chuy had passed away. His exact cause of death is unclear.

Chuy was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. at age 15. According to Hollywood lore, he wandered onto the set of 'Three Amigos' and decided to get into entertainment. He says he started taking classes and eventually got cast in "Austin Powers in Goldmember."