RIP

"90 Day Fiancé" star Elizabeth Castravet’s father, Chuck Potthast, died from blunt force injuries after falling in a bathtub, TMZ has learned.

TMZ has obtained docs from the Hillsborough County, Florida Medical Examiner ... and Chuck’s cause of death in November was listed as blunt impact injuries to the face and neck, including facial lacerations and a fractured C6 vertebra. The report also notes positional asphyxia as a factor.

The medical examiner listed chronic alcohol use, liver cirrhosis, and acute alcohol intoxication as contributing causes ... meaning he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol before the fall.

The GoFundMe set up for James Van Der Beek's widow and his family is surging towards the $2 million mark ... and Steven Spielberg just gave it a serious boost.

The legendary director and wife Kate Capshaw dropped a massive $25,000 donation ... quickly landing the coveted "top donation" spot on the page set up to help James' family cover crushing cancer treatment costs.

Spielberg’s connection to James runs deep ... he was famously the filmmaking idol of James’ character Dawson Leery on "Dawson's Creek," and even showed up to the show's reunion last September while James battled his illness.

Katie Holmes honored her "Dawson's Creek" costar James Van Der Beek in a moving handwritten letter following his death Wednesday.

Check out the note she shared on Instagram -- she recalls feeling safe to express herself on set with him ... and adds they have so many memories filled with "laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs" and "adventures of a unique youth."

She also commends his "compassion, bravery, selflessness and strength" before turning the note toward his widow, Kimberly, and their 6 children. She writes ... "We are here for you always. And will always be there to shower you with love and compassion."

"Dancing With the Stars" pro Emma Slater saw her 'DWTS' partner James Van Der Beek just days before his death ... and she expressed her gratitude for their final meeting in an emotional tribute to the late actor.

Emma was paired with Van Der Beek in Season 28 of the dancing competition show in 2019, and she posted her favorite pic from their season to Instagram on Wednesday, calling him her "big brother."

She wrote ... "All those who had the pleasure of having you in their lives are blessed. Forever changed by your brilliance. We got to have these beautiful years sharing life together. It started with being dance partners and I was beyond excited to be dancing with you, and it continued into the deepest of friendships."

Reese Witherspoon is honoring James Van Der Beek's life as she mourns his death, saying she's heartbroken over the loss of the talented actor.

Witherspoon paid tribute to Van Der Beek on her Instagram Story after he passed away Wednesday in Austin, Texas. While an official cause of death has not been released, Van Der Beek had been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since August 2023.

Reese writes she's "devastated" about Van Der Beek's passing, calling him an "extraordinary, talented man who also showed great kindness and grace in every action.” Witherspoon went on to say she's praying for Van Der Beek's family.

Van Der Beek's final acting role will come in the upcoming TV series, "Elle," based on Reese's iconic character, Elle Woods, from the 2001 flick "Legally Blonde." Witherspoon is an executive producer on the show, which is set to premiere on July 1. In the series, Van Der Beek portrays Dean Wilson -- a school superintendent and mayoral candidate.

James Van Der Beek's GoFundMe has raised more than a million bucks less than 24 hours after his death was announced ... and it's still growing.

As of Thursday morning, the crowdfunding page has $1.2 million in donations, from fans and big-name friends alike. "Dancing with the Stars" pro Derek Hough dropped $1,000, Oscar-winner Zoe Saldana -- using her married name of Zoe Saldaña-Perego -- donated $2,500, the Marla Maples Foundation sent in $5,000, and Lyn Lear, the late Norman Lear’s wife, and YouTuber Codie Sanchez even each donated $5,000 on a monthly basis!

Notably, TMZ has not verified the donations -- but it's clear Van Der Beek's death hit people in the heartstrings, as more than 24,000 donations have poured in.

James Van Der Beek has died ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office in Texas says ... it was reported to them at 6:44 AM. No cause of death was given.

James' wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, posted about his passing shortly after we broke the news ... writing in a shared Instagram post her husband "met his final days with courage, faith, and grace." She asked for privacy for their family at this time.

James Van Der Beek's friend Stacy Keibler gave his fans an insight into the star's final days ... posting a photo of him watching the sunset from his wheelchair.

Keibler -- a former pro wrestler and actress -- shared the photo Wednesday afternoon ... hours after news of James' death broke, and she wrote it was "a true gift" to spend the star's final days with him.

Stacy writes she learned a lot from James in his final days ... including what it looks like to continue to believe in God's plan, even when the plan is heartbreaking.

David Archuleta is opening up about the darkest chapter of his life ... revealing he was actively scouting locations to end his life before his faith stopped him.

The former "American Idol" star, now 35, makes the heartbreaking confession in his upcoming memoir "Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself," out Feb. 17, admitting he was in deep turmoil trying to reconcile his sexuality with his Mormon faith.

In a devastating excerpt obtained by PEOPLE, David says he would go on short drives, quietly searching for places where he could crash his car without hurting anyone else.

Actor Bud Cort, who starred in movies and TV for decades, has died.

Cort had many credits, beginning in television and movies in the late 1960s, and working steadily into the 21st century.

Cort starred in the films "Harold and Maude" and "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou," and was featured in "Coyote Ugly" and "M*A*S*H" among many others.

He had a notable role in the TV show "Arrested Development." Most recently, he was the voice of The King in 2015's animated movie "The Little Prince."

3:45 PM PT -- CNN reports ... police updated the number of victims killed by the shooter down one ... one of the victims thought to be dead actually survived. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police deputy commissioner said that person was in serious condition Wednesday. It was originally reported 9 people were killed.

An unidentified shooter unleashed horror in a remote town in northeastern British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday ... killing 9 people and wounding 25 others in what’s now the third-deadliest mass shooting in the country’s history.

Six victims were found dead in Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, and another died while being transported to the hospital, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement. The shooter was found dead from what they believe to be a "self‑inflicted injury."

Approximately 27 people were injured in the shooing, two of whom were airlifted to a hospital with "serious or life‑threatening injuries."

Bodybuilder Jayne Trcka -- who played Miss Mann in "Scary Movie" -- died from heart and circulation issues ... TMZ has learned.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner listed Jayne's immediate cause of death as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease complicated by left femoral fracture.

The M.E. says chronic alcohol use was a contributing factor in her death ... and they say her death was an accident.

Tracy Scroggins, who spent all 10 seasons of his career as a member of the Detroit Lions, has died at 56 years old, TMZ Sports has learned.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tracy Scroggins," the Scroggins family said in a statement sent to us.

"Tracy was a devoted father, cherished family member, and loyal friend whose life was marked by remarkable strength and perseverance. While many knew him for his career as a professional football player in the NFL, those closest to him knew him as a kind-hearted and generous man who cared deeply for his family and friends."

Catherine O'Hara passed away from a blood clot in the lungs ... TMZ has learned.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health released the actress' death certificate Monday, which lists her cause of death … O'Hara's immediate cause of death is listed as pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer as the underlying cause.

The death certificate says she was cremated and her remains were given to her husband, Robert "Bo" Welch.

We broke the story ... O'Hara passed away at the end of January, two sources with direct knowledge told us at the time. She had been rushed to the hospital in serious condition. She was reported by dispatch personnel as having trouble breathing.

Blake Garrett -- best known for his role in "How to Eat Fried Worms" -- has died at age 33 ... TMZ has learned.

Blake's mom, Carol Garrett, tells TMZ ... the former child star passed away Sunday. She says the family is still awaiting the autopsy results from the medical examiner to determine an official cause of death.

She tells us Blake went to the emergency room last week in Oklahoma after experiencing intense pain and was later diagnosed with shingles. Carol adds Blake may have self-medicated to cope with the pain from the viral infection, and she believes his death could have been a tragic accident.

Teigan -- the adorable pooch from Puppy Bowl XXII -- tragically passed away months before the annual event aired on TVs across America ... with the Connecticut animal sanctuary Perfect Imperfections calling it "bittersweet to [see] her on TV."

The Team Fluff member contracted a severe case of pneumonia weeks after filming the 2026 edition of the Puppy Bowl, with the sanctuary saying Teigan was placed on oxygen and given IV fluids after X-Rays revealed the extent of the illness.

"I took her home and set everything up for her so she could continue getting her fluids and oxygen," the rescue center worker said. "I checked on her every two hours to change her position and flush her catheter. I started to get tail wags when I talked to her and for a moment I was hopeful she would beat this again, but knowing her little body had already suffered through this once."