'Salute Your Shorts' Kirk Baily Dead At 59
-
Exclusive Details
- 12.6K shares
Kirk Baily -- best known for his role as Kevin "Ug" Lee in the Nickelodeon sitcom "Salute Your Shorts" -- has died.
Kirk's family tells TMZ the actor died over the weekend. We're told he died from lung cancer ... and had only been diagnosed 6 months ago.
Early in his career, Kirk studied comedy at Groundlings and Second City. He got his start as a sound coordinator on the cult classic film "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" before getting acting roles, including "3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain" and "The Sixth Man."
He also landed a number of guest roles on shows such as "Felicity," "Sisters," and "NYPD Blue." Recently, Kirk has worked primarily as a voice artist on a number of anime shows and video games, including "Cowboy Bebop," "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" and ".hack//."
Most notably, he played Kevin "Ug' Lee in Nickelodeon's "Salute Your Shorts" in 1991 and 1992.
In 2019, the cast had a reunion in Hollywood at the Good Burger pop-up shop. He remained close friends with most of the cast members and production staff.
He worked up until the last few months of his life, loving his career until the end.
Kirk was 59.
RIP
related articles
President Zelensky Mr. Putin, 'You are Killing Holocaust Victims for the Second Time'
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned the tables on Putin Wednesday, telegraphing he was acting like a Nazi by bombing a sacred part of his country that has become a memorial to Ukrainian Holocaust victims.
Zelensky was incredulous over the Russians bombing Babyn Yar, the site where 33,000 Jews were killed by the Nazis in 1941. It is sacred ground in Ukraine and the bombing has further galvanized the country.
It's rich, right? Putin brazenly lied in a weak attempt to justify the invasion by saying he was doing it to rid Ukraine of Nazis, but by bombing Babyn Yar he's acted like one himself. As Zelensky said, "You are killing Holocaust victims for the second time."
Zelensky went on to observe, "Nazism is born in silence." He has been defending his country on 2 fronts -- internally against the Russians, and externally by pressuring the U.S., European allies and other countries to lend a hand.
As the Russian invasion intensified, Zelensky remains strong, speaking of what things will look like "after the victory."
He ended with 3 simple but stirring words ... "Glory to Ukraine!"
related articles
Matthew Coleman QAnon Dad, Child Murderer Felt like Neo From 'The Matrix'
If you thought the story behind Matthew Coleman -- the QAnon-obsessed dad who confessed to killing his 2 kids because he believed they had "serpent DNA" -- couldn't get any weirder ... it just did.
According to new docs in the horrifying case ... Coleman told the FBI, last August, he'd been "seeing all the pieces being decoded like 'The Matrix,' and that he was Neo," before he says he murdered his children.
In that same interview, following his arrest, Coleman also talked to FBI agents about time travel, teleportation and claimed his kids -- 2-year-old Kaleo and 10-month-old Roxy -- had told him about babies being placed in fireworks, food and walls.
The affidavit, first obtained by People, is a truly bizarre read, and includes Coleman's assertion he had to kill Kaleo and Roxy because they might have been corrupted with serpent DNA from their mom ... and he had "to prevent them from becoming an alien species that would release carnage over the Earth."
Also interesting ... months before the kids were killed, Coleman spent hours each day looking up conspiracy theories online, according to one of his close friends.
His court date is set for May 19, and Coleman is being held in federal prison without bail.
related articles
Serena Williams Pays Homage To Virgil Abloh ... After Walking In Off-White Fashion Show
Serena Williams gave a touching tribute to her late friend, Virgil Abloh, after suiting up as a model in the Off-White fashion show at Paris Fashion Week ... saying, "I am so grateful to show love to my friend."
The fashion show marked the first of its kind since Abloh passed away in November ... and featured some of the biggest names and icons in the fashion industry.
Serena -- an icon in her own right -- was overjoyed at the experience, writing how incredible it was for her to participate in the largescale event.
"I had an unbelievable time walking in the @off____white show," Williams wrote on social media. "Virgil meant so much to me, and to walk in a collection that he was still apart of was something I could not miss."
"Thank you for the opportunity."
Supermodels Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber were among some of the other notable names to attend ... with musicians Rihanna and A$AP Rocky showing up as well.
As we previously reported, Virgil tragically died after privately battling cancer for several years. His death was felt throughout the fashion, sports, and entertainment industries.
The former artistic director for Louis Vuitton was synonymous with Off-White -- a brand he helped elevate to one of the fashion industry's powerhouse brands today.
Williams showed off behind-the-scenes shots of getting ready in her 'fit ... and you can tell she took the assignment seriously.
related articles
'Law & Order: SVU' Actor Ned Eisenberg Dead at 65
-
Exclusive
- 6.9K shares
Ned Eisenberg, famous for his work on "Law & Order: SVU" and most recently, "Mare of Easttown," has died after a battle with cancer.
Ned died over the weekend, his wife, Patricia, tells TMZ, "As Ned would say, he was attacked by two very rare assassins — cholangiocarcinoma and ocular melanoma. Over the course of two years, he bravely fought the cancers in private while continuing to work in show business to ensure that his medical coverage paid for himself and his family.”
Ned is known for playing Detective Hauser in the HBO drama "Mare of Easttown" alongside Kate Winslet. His work as defense attorney Roger Kressler in "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" made him one of the series' most regular supporting characters.
While Ned's got a ton of TV credits to his name, he's also acted in a bunch of big movies ... including "Last Man Standing" with Bruce Willis, "Limitless," "Million Dollar Baby," "The Burning," "Flags of Our Fathers" and "A Civil Action" ... just to name a few.
Ned was born and raised in New York City, and started studying acting in high school ... getting his first film credit in 1980 and also touring on the Broadway play "Brighton Beach Memoirs." He also co-founded the Naked Angels Theatre Company in 1987.
Ned is survived by Patricia and his son, Lino. He was 65.
RIP
related articles
Michael Keaton Tearfully Dedicates SAG Award to Nephew Who Died from Drug OD
Michael Keaton has a new trophy for his role in "Dopesick" -- a TV drama about addiction -- a subject that hits painfully close to home and had him fighting back tears at the podium.
Michael won the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series Award Sunday night at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and dedicated it to his late nephew -- also named Michael -- who, he revealed, had died from an overdose.
The actor took several seconds to collect himself, but was still choked up as he said, "I lost Michael to drugs, and it hurts." He also dedicated the award to his sister, Pam.
Keaton's nephew reportedly died in 2016 when he OD'd on heroin and fentanyl.
In the Hulu drama, Michael plays a small-town family doctor taking on big pharma to fight the country's opioid crisis.
Watching his speech Sunday night ... you can understand how emotional he is about the role, and he made it clear winning the award had a bigger meaning for him and his family.
During his speech -- one of the most moving of the night -- Michael also took a moment to show support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
related articles
Ukraine 6-Yr-Old Killed by Russian Shelling ... ER Doctor Yells, 'Show This to Putin!!!'
Doctors' desperate, but futile, attempt to save a little Ukrainian girl hit by Russian bombing ... is prompting an angry, defiant and graphic message to Vladimir Putin.
This image of the 6-year-old girl being rushed out of an ambulance shows the start of a fight to save her life in the port city of Mariupol. Russians are advancing on the city, and on Sunday they shelled it heavily ... and she was taken to a hospital in very bad shape.
Her father was also bloodied and wounded, but furiously hoped doctors could save his daughter. One hospital staffer reportedly yelled, “Take her out! Take her out! We can make it!” ... as they wheeled her gurney into the hospital.
The medical team pumped her chest, gave her oxygen and even used defibrillators ... but they were unable to resuscitate the child. An AP photographer was in the ER documenting the efforts of nurses and doctors -- and, as several staffers wept, the doctor turned to the photog and said, "Show this to Putin. The eyes of this child, and crying doctors.”
The little girl, who hasn't been identified, was left on the table ... covered in blood and her vibrantly colored jacket.
related articles
Rapper Snootie Wild Yo Gotti Protege Shot and Killed
Another Memphis rapper has been shot and killed ... just in the last few months.
Snootie Wild succumbed to his injuries after being shot Friday in Houston. His death was announced Saturday night on his Instagram page ... "Gone in body, but your NAME & LEGACY will live forever! #TeamYayo4Life."
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Wild was shot in the neck ... discovered laying in a ditch, beside an SUV. A Houston cop told the ABC Houston station, "It looks like he backed in there accidentally. Then the other vehicle pulled up, and folks got out of the car," adding "They were talking for a little bit, and then all of a sudden, gunfire went off. Only one shot, actually."
He was rushed to a hospital, but doctors were unable to save him.
You'll recall, Young Dolph was shot and killed in Memphis outside a bakery in a clear ambush. Three people have been arrested, but Gotti was not implicated.
Wild was 36. RIP
related articles
Kobe & Gigi Bryant Hoodie Sells Out In Less Than 24 Mins ... Proceeds To Support Foundation
Kobe and Gigi Bryant's legacy continues to live on -- the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation released a hoodie celebrating the two this week ... and it sold it out in less than 24 minutes.
Thursday -- 02/24 -- was a symbolic day for the Bryant family because it features the jersey numbers Gigi and Kobe wore during their basketball career.
Vanessa Bryant says Champion donated the hoodies to support the Mamba & Mambacita Sports store launch ... and judging from how quickly they went, supporters couldn't wait to get their hands on them.
Vanessa says the hoodie is for a good cause ... with 100% of the proceeds going to support the Foundation's mission of creating equal opportunity for underserved boys and girls in athletics.
The MMSF Reverse Weave Pullover hoodie is all black ... and features the Mamba & Mambacita logo on the front in white.
The hood and sleeve feature the numbers 2, 8, and 24 ... commemorating each jersey number Kobe and Gigi wore when they hit the hardwood.
"Special thanks to Champion for donating this merchandise to our foundation," Vanessa wrote in a post on Instagram.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years. We are overwhelmed with gratitude. Our hoodie sold out in less than 24 minutes 🖤🤍."
Amazing.
related articles
Terrence Clarke Mom Receives Honorary Jersey ... From All-Star Weekend
-
Breaking News
- 523 shares
The NBA continues to pay tribute to the late Terrence Clarke ... by gifting his mother an honorary Rising Star jersey from the 2022 All-Star Weekend.
Clarke's mom, Osmine, shared the news on Instagram ... saying she received her son's All-Star gear from Klutch Sports -- the agency TC signed with before his tragic death last April.
"Thanks 🙏🏾 to Klutch team for sending me T's jerseys," Osmine said, "I'm so sorry 😢 he wasn't able to showcase his talent before leaving us."
"Thanks again for all who made this possible a through STAR 🌟 looking over us love ❤️ you 5"
Clarke -- who played for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2020 -- passed away after a horrific car accident in Los Angeles on April 22 ... months before the 2021 NBA Draft.
The NBA has preserved the 6'8" guard's legacy ever since ... making him an honorary pick at the draft and bringing his family on stage to accept his draft hat.
On what would’ve been his draft night, the NBA pays tribute to Kentucky's Terrence Clarke by making him an honorary draftee 🙏 pic.twitter.com/i3BOvzIlTi
— ESPN (@espn) July 30, 2021 @espn
The league also teamed up with the Celtics to renovate the Boston Centers for Youth & Families Vine St.'s basketball court ... where Clarke grew up playing hoops.
The court features his initials, Wildcats jersey #5 and his famous quote -- "I want to be that guy for everyone in the city."
RIP
Drakeo the Ruler Bro Sues Over Death at Festival ... They Didn't Protect Him!!!
-
Exclusive
- 163 shares
2/25 -- A rep for Once Upon a Time in LA Festival tells TMZ, "Once Upon a Time in LA joins Drakeo's family, friends, and fans in grieving his loss. The festival is continuing to support local authorities in their investigation as they pursue the facts."
Drakeo the Ruler's brother is suing the folks behind the music festival where he was stabbed to death ... he says concert promoters failed to keep the L.A. rapper safe.
According to a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Drakeo's bro claims the rapper's life was in jeopardy the moment he arrived at December's Once Upon a Time festival concert ... and he's blaming a lack of security.
In the docs, Drakeo's bro says Drakeo was attacked within minutes of arriving ... describing it as a "violent mob attack" that broke out backstage and lasted up to 15 minutes. His brother claims the all-access area should have been a safe place, and he's ripping the promoters for what he claims were "lackadaisical to totally absent" security measures.
Drakeo's bro claims promoters should have braced for the worse because the concert, held at L.A.'s Exposition Park, is in the middle of a gang-infested neighborhood and Drakeo was already the target of gang threats.
In the docs, the brother claims Drakeo entered the festival grounds through two "checkpoints" ... but he says they were hardly secure. The brother claims the first was just a booth with 2 unarmed staffers who let anyone in as long as they flashed an all-access pass.
Drakeo's bro claims the second "checkpoint" had a metal detector, drug sniffing dog and a small group of security guards ... but he says not every car was searched, and he claims he heard gang chants from some cars that went through without being searched.
In the suit, Drakeo's brother claims Drakeo was attacked by a mob of 50 to 100 people, including some armed with knives ... leaving Drakeo's group to fight for their lives without sufficient security.
The brother says Drakeo was stabbed in the chaos and claims it took up to 30 minutes for emergency personnel to get to Drakeo, who eventually died in the hospital.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/m8n6Bq2KJC
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) December 19, 2021 @SnoopDogg
Drakeo's brother and others are suing Live Nation, Snoop Dogg's LLC and the Los Angeles Football Club ... the festival was held at the MLS team's stadium ... and they're going after them for millions in damages.
Originally Published -- 2/24 6:41 PM PT
related articles
'M*A*S*H' Star Sally Kellerman Dead at 84
Sally Kellerman -- famous for playing Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in 'M*A*S*H' -- has died.
The Oscar-nominated actress died early Thursday morning at an assisted care facility in Los Angeles, following a battle with dementia ... according to her son, Jack Krane.
We're told Sally was diagnosed with dementia around 2017 and wasn't doing well the last couple years. Her son says he last saw her Wednesday night, when it became clear to him it would be her last time seeing her, and he said his final goodbyes.
While Sally was most known for the husky voice she used to play a U.S. Army major on 'M*A*S*H' she was also famous for her singing chops ... releasing an album and even having a Grand Funk Railroad song written for her.
Sally also starred in "Back To School" as the love interest for Rodney Dangerfield's character ... and Trekkies will remember her for playing Dr. Elizabeth Dehner on the third episode of "Star Trek," when she sacrifices her life and has some last words for Captain Kirk.
The actress made a ton of guest appearances on TV shows back in the 1960s ... including "12 O'Clock High," "Ben Casey," "Mannix," "That Girl" and "The Outer Limits."
In addition to TV and movies, Sally also acted in plays and found success in soap operas as her career progressed ... getting a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2015 for her work on "The Young and the Restless."
Sally lent her voice to commercials and animation too ... doing voiceover work for Hidden Valley Ranch dressing and a few animated movies.
She was twice married ... first to "Starsky & Hutch" writer and director Rick Edelstein from 1970 to 1972 ... and then tying the knot in 1980 to "Face/Off" producer Jonathan Krane.
Sally was 84.
RIP
related articles
George Floyd Civil Rights Case Verdict In Against Ex-Cops Jury Says Guilty On All Charges
-
Breaking News
- 17.3K shares
The former police officers who stood by as George Floyd was being murdered by Derek Chauvin were just found guilty on all charges by a jury of their peers in their federal case.
Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane were convicted after a 12-person panel rendered their verdict following less than 2 full days of deliberations ... this after nearly a month-long trial.
The ex-cops were found guilty of all charges against them -- all 3 were facing a count of deprivation of rights under color of the law for failing to render medical aid to Floyd ... and Thao and Kueng were, additionally, hit with charges for failing to intervene in Chauvin's use of unreasonable force.
You might recall ... Lane was seen on camera at least trying to speak up about what was going on, asking if they should roll Floyd over -- only to be overruled by Chauvin.
As you know, Chauvin was convicted of murder last year ... and has since copped a plea on the federal charges he was also facing. Thao, Kueng and Lane aren't out of the woods yet either, BTW ... they have a state criminal trial later this year.
For this case, though ... Thao, Kueng, and Lane argued that they were deferring to Chauvin's seniority and experience in the situation ... and that they didn't intend for Floyd to die under the circumstances.
Kueng and Lane also tried to explain their behavior by pointing out how new they were to the Minneapolis PD force at that point -- each of them was just days into the job when the incident occurred in May 2020.
You'll recall ... Chauvin, Lane and Kueng held Floyd down -- with Chauvin pinning him at his neck. Thao was on crowd control behind the police vehicle.
5/25/20
As for what's on the table sentence-wise ... the men are facing the possibility of several years or even life in prison. The death penalty is technically possible given the charges, but prosecutors have given no indication they would seek it.
Story developing ...
related articles
Donny Davis Foul Play Suspected in Death
-
Exclusive
- 847 shares
Donny Davis, the beloved entertainer who has performed with Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and many other stars, may have died as a result of foul play ... this according to Vegas cops.
TMZ broke the story ... Donny was found dead Tuesday in his room at Resorts World.
According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Donny and another man hung out with 2 women at the Dawg House bar at the hotel at around 1 AM. The women took the party to the Flamingo, but came back to Resort World at around 2:30 AM and beelined it for the bar. One of the women told cops, the bartender would not serve Donny because he was too intoxicated.
The man and Davis went back to Donny's room at around 3:30 AM.
The other man left the room at around 4:20 AM and came back to the room at 5 AM with one of the women, when they noticed Donny sitting in a chair and his hands looked pale and pink and began turning purple. The woman said Donny's hands were "freezing" and he was not breathing.
They moved him to the bed and placed him on his side ... then called security, who in turn called 911. Donny was taken to Sunrise Hospital where he was declared dead just after 7 AM.
As for why cops suspect foul play ... we're told it was the number of people who were in the room. Also, according to the police report, the male would not speak with cops but instead said he wanted to speak to an attorney. Cops say they had trouble getting information from those in the room.
Donny was a staple in Vegas and, in addition to performing with Britney and Miley, he performed with Seth McFarland, Mariah Carey, Joe Jonas, Kelly Osbourne and Hayden Panettiere. He was also the star at Beacher's Madhouse for 2 decades.
Donny was 43.
related articles
Mariners' Julio Cruz Dead At 67
-
Breaking News
- 332 shares
Longtime Seattle Mariners second baseman Julio Cruz -- who worked as a broadcaster for the team following his playing days -- died on Tuesday, his family announced.
He was 67 years old.
No cause of death was revealed ... but Cruz's family said in a statement he "passed away peacefully."
"At the time of his passing, he was at home, and was surrounded by his loving family," the Cruz family said in a statement.
"Our family is grateful for your well wishes and support, and we ask for privacy at this time."
Cruz played for the Mariners in their first-ever season in 1977 ... and went on to log time with the team until 1983. He later played for the Chicago White Sox, before he left the game following the 1986 season.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with his loved ones," the Mariners said in a statement Wednesday, "including his wife, Mojgan, three sons, Austin, Alexander and Jourdan, and their families."
In 2003, he began his role as a part of the Mariners' Spanish-language broadcasts, and he worked there until his death.
Cruz finished his career with a .237 batting average and 343 stolen bases.
RIP.
related articles
Donny Davis Dead at 43 Performed with Britney, Miley, Mariah
-
Exclusive
- 3.1K shares
Donny Davis -- a longtime Vegas impersonator who performed with Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and Chelsea Handler -- has died ... TMZ has learned.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Donny passed away Tuesday in Las Vegas, where he was found in his hotel room bed.
The cause of death will not be determined until an autopsy is performed. We're told Donny was partying at one of the nearby hotel casinos hours before his body was discovered.
It's tragic news, as Donny was incredibly well-known and beloved in and around Hollywood ... not just serving as a regular guest on "Chelsea Lately" -- sometimes filling in for her go-to little person sidekick, Chuy Bravo -- but also performing on stage with Britney herself.
DD was hired as a dancer for Brit's Vegas residency show when it kicked off in 2013 ... and was a favorite pal of Britney's for years, often posing with her for photos and getting shout-outs from her too.
He also performed with Mariah Carey, Seth McFarland, Miley Cyrus, Joe Jonas, Kelly Osbourne and Hayden Panettiere.
He was a staple at Beacher's Madhouse for 2 decades, where he starred in a vaudeville-style variety show that featured tons of celebs. Jeff Beacher tells us they discovered Donny online and after he performed for a few years he was so talented Jeff let him produce the show.
He was also hired to perform private gigs for the likes of Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham, Charlize Theron and other big stars.
Donny has a couple of movie credits under his belt, with appearances in 2017's 'It's Gawd!' opposite Tommy Chong, as well as a role in "Pain & Gain." Donny also stood out as a fierce advocate for little people, not just in showbiz ... but beyond.
Beacher tells TMZ, "Donny broke barriers in the little people community and was an inspiration to his peers. He will be missed terribly but his legacy and the impact he had on those who loved him will live on forever."
Donny was 43.
RIP