RIP

Chuck Norris had a great sense of humor, and all the memes about him tickled his funny bone ... this according to his longtime bodyguard and sparring partner.

Tom Jones -- a decorated Muay Thai champion -- joined us on "TMZ Live" to discuss the legacy of his late friend a few hours after a statement confirming Chuck's passing was publicly announced.

Jones says he owes a lot to Norris -- who he met years ago while still in the Marines -- explaining the A-lister taught him lessons about life he still carries around with him.

Chuck Norris -- the famed martial artist and actor in films like "The Delta Force" and "Missing in Action" -- is dead ... TMZ has learned.

He died Thursday morning in Hawaii, according to the family, who said, "It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday [Thursday] morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace."

The post reads ... "He lived life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved."

TMZ broke the story ... Chuck was hospitalized either Wednesday or Thursday, and it seemed sudden, because a source who had spoken with Chuck Wednesday said he had been working out and was in an upbeat, jovial mood.

Norris is best remembered for his martial arts and action movie roles in the 1980s ... and for portraying Texas Ranger Cordell Walker in the CBS TV show "Walker, Texas Ranger" in the 1990s.

Iconic actor and martial artist Chuck Norris has died, and heartfelt messages from celebs and actors alike have been flooding social media.

Costars Dolph Lundgren and Sylvester Stallone weren't the only ones to weigh in ... Chuck touched the hearts of big names beyond Hollywood.

Rapper Freddie Gibbs, NFL alum Chad Ochocinco, and even Texas Governor Greg Abbott have sounded off on social media to pay their respects to the late legend.

TMZ broke the story ... Chuck was hospitalized either Wednesday or Thursday ... and it seemed sudden, because a source who had spoken with Chuck on Wednesday said he had very recently been in good health and spirits.

The legend was 86.

RIP

Chuck Norris' death is breaking hearts not just in Hollywood, but across the sports world ... with athletes and even the WWE paying tribute to the "culture icon."

Norris died on Thursday morning in Hawaii at the age of 86, after TMZ shared the news that the actor/martial artist was hospitalized.

Fans have flooded social media to pay their respects ... including former NFL star Chad Ochocinco, who shared the news on his X page with a broken-heart emoji.

Chuck Norris has died, and fans are devastated ... but they have one more film to be excited about from the Hollywood legend.

Shaked Berenson, producer of “Zombie Plane,” tells TMZ … Chuck plays the head of a spy agency made up of celebs in the tongue-in-cheek action flick. There are a ton of cameos, and it's meant to poke fun at their personas.

Chuck's part was shot a year and a half ago at his Texas ranch .... Shaked told us they needed a ranch for the scene, and Chuck had one -- so it worked out perfectly.

The death of Chuck Norris sent a shockwave of sadness to his fans around the globe ... and his family is still processing the tremendous loss.

Chuck's son, Dakota, was the first to break his silence Friday morning about the legend's passing with a lengthy, heartfelt Instagram post in which he said CN was the ultimate father.

Along with a series of snaps showing father and son ... Dakota wrote ... "You were the greatest father God could have ever given me and the finest man I’ve ever known. No matter what I was going through, you were always there."

The legendary martial arts film star Chuck Norris has died ... and tributes have begun to pour in from fellow Hollywood badasses.

Dolph Lundgren -- who worked with Chuck on "The Expendables 2" -- posted a tribute on Instagram, including a heartfelt caption about what the late actor meant to him ... and Sylvester Stallone, another 'Expendables' costar and contemporary action star, also honored Chuck in a post.

Along with a BTS picture of the action duo, Dolph wrote ... "Chuck Norris is the champ. Ever since I was a young martial artist and later getting into movies, I always looked up to him as a role model. Someone who had the respect, humility and strength it takes to be a man. We will miss you, my friend. ✨"

Stallone wrote ... "I had a great time working with Chuck. He was All American in every way. Great man and my condolences to his wonderful family."

Joshua Allen -- the winner of "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 4 -- was struck and killed by a train in Texas last year ... and we now know that the medical examiner determined he intentionally ended his own life.

According to records obtained by TMZ ... Allen died of blunt force injuries ... and his death was ruled a suicide by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office.

Following his death, family and friends told TMZ that Allen was a wonderful person ... and they shared some insight into their final conversations ... "One of the last things he said was to keep God first at all times. You have to be real with yourself before you can be real with anybody else."

Legendary director David Lynch left behind a massive estate to his four children and substantial gifts for his close friends, TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Sabrina Sutherland -- the trustee of David's family trust -- says David drafted his will and trust in 1994 and last amended it on May 25, 2023. The director died on January 16, 2025 from cardiac arrest, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as an underlying condition.

David’s assets include his membership in Twin Peaks productions, stock in A2K, and all the copyrights David owned for his various projects ... but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Jordan Wright -- who starred in the British reality TV show "The Only Way Is Essex" -- was found dead in Thailand on March 14.

According to Daily Mail, Wright's body was recovered from a drainage canal where he was found face-down in the stagnant water of a drainage canal.

The publication reports Wright was wearing black pants and a gray T-shirt, but was barefoot. And he'd already made plans to leave soon.

Shaquille O'Neal is mourning the death of 12-year-old Jada West, who passed away after a fight with a classmate earlier this month ... and the NBA legend is looking to help the grieving family by offering to cover her funeral expenses, saying, "No parent should ever have to bury their child."

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office revealed the gesture this week ... after West, a sixth-grader at Mason Creek Middle School in Winston, Georgia, passed away following an apparent off-campus bullying incident with another student on March 5.

The DCSO said O'Neal, who serves as Chief of Community Relations for the Henry County Sheriff's Office, was heartbroken by the news and wanted to help the West family by covering the funeral costs so they wouldn't have to bear the burden.

A driver has been charged in the collision that killed "Marvelous Ms. Maisel" actor Wenne Alton Davis in New York last year.

According to the WPIX-TV, MD Abdul Shomuz was booked Monday and charged with a misdemeanor -- failure to yield to a pedestrian.

As we reported, cops say Wenne -- who used they/them pronouns -- was crossing Broadway on foot at West 53rd Street when Shomuz took a left, hitting them. Shomuz, who wasn’t injured, stayed at the scene.

Wenne suffered severe head trauma after being struck by the 2023 Cadillac XT6 authorities say Shomuz was driving. The actor was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital but succumbed to their injuries.

In addition to playing a cop on “Marvelous Ms. Maisel,” Wenne also had credits on “Girls5Eva,” “New Amersterdam” and “Blind Spot.”

Wenne was 60.

A wallet belonging to James "Jimmy" Gracey -- the University of Alabama student who went missing in Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday -- was reportedly found in the ocean near where he vanished.

A Catalan Police aquatic unit scoured the water in search of the 20-year-old American spring breaker and came up with James' wallet off Somorrostro beach -- just a few hundred feet from the popular nightclub Shôko, where James was reportedly last seen -- according to Alabama's WBMA-TV.

As we told you, James' mother, Therese Gracey, asked for help finding James in a Facebook post, writing that James "didn't make it back to the Airbnb" but cops have his phone.

Nampa, Idaho Mayor Rick Hogaboam died suddenly Wednesday night after experiencing a medical emergency in the middle of addressing a town hall.

According to local CBS affiliate KBOI-TV, the politician was speaking at city hall in Eagle, Idaho, when the incident took place, around 6:45 PM.

The City of Nampa shared a statement on Facebook yesterday, writing ... “It is with the deepest sadness that we must report Mayor Rick Hogaboam experienced a medical emergency tonight and has passed away. We ask the community to please keep his family and loved ones in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time."

Influencer Emilie Kiser shared a heartbreaking tribute to her late toddler, Trigg, on Wednesday ... 10 months to the day of his accidental drowning death.

On her Instagram Stories, she wrote ... “Today is officially 10 months since we lost our son Trigg to a preventable drowning accident. I continue to feel like I have no words in what to say when I’m asked how I feel because the only adequate word is ‘broken.’ I miss him so much. Everything about him. Especially the joy and light he brought to our home.”

She continued, "One of the hardest parts about the last 10 months, although I can’t possibl[y] pick just 1, is having to live without him. Some people might read that and think it’s obvious, but it’s a daily mountain to climb. Waking up without him next to me, not getting to talk to him every day, not getting to see his perfect smile, and so much more." She followed it up with a serious word of warning ...

Legendary singer Neil Sedaka's cause of death was "atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease," according to his death certificate.

According to the American Heart Association, the condition is caused when plaque builds up in artery walls ... and it's linked to heart attacks and strokes.

The death certificate -- first obtained by the California Post -- also cited kidney failure as a factor in Sedaka's passing last month.