RIP

Donald Gibb battled throat cancer and suffered a heart attack in the weeks leading up to his death last night ... TMZ has learned.

Donald's son, Travis, tells TMZ ... his dad -- best known for playing the lovable brute "Ogre" in the "Revenge of the Nerds" franchise -- was fighting throat cancer at the time of his passing. He says Donald also suffered a heart attack a couple of weeks ago, but ultimately, it was the cancer that took his life.

We're told Donald was a fighter who battled the disease relentlessly, never losing his toughness even as his health declined.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is devastated by the death of his close friend, Brandon Clarke ... releasing a heartbreaking statement on the tragedy on Wednesday -- admitting he can't wrap his head around his "twin" being gone.

JJJ and Clarke were inseparable -- even after the 26-year-old was traded to the Utah Jazz this season, they continued to maintain a solid brotherhood.

Jackson Jr. went to social media to pour his heart out over the loss ... saying, "i couldn’t imagine a world where this was even a possibility. i love you forever brother, this is absolutely devastating. i just wish i could talk to you."

The NBA acknowledged the two tragic losses in the family ahead of Tuesday's playoff game ... with the San Antonio Spurs honoring both Brandon Clarke and Jason Collins prior to tipoff against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The fans at Frost Bank Center took part in a moment of silence for both players ... with P.A. announcer Roland Ruiz addressing the news with heartfelt words about both pros.

"The NBA family mourns the passing of two if its own -- Brandon Clarke, a beloved member of the Memphis Grizzlies since 2019, whose leadership and passion earned him respect throughout the Memphis community and around the league, passed away at the age of 29, and 13-year NBA player and NBA Cares ambassador Jason Collins died after a long battle with brain cancer," the Ruiz announced.

Donald Gibb -- best known for playing the lovable brute "Ogre" in the "Revenge of the Nerds" franchise -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Gibbs' son, Travis, tells TMZ ... Donald passed Tuesday evening due to health complications. He says he died at his home in Texas, where he was surrounded by family, including his kids, who loved him deeply.

We're told his death was not sudden, as Donald had been battling ongoing health issues.

Travis and his family tells us ... Donald loved the Lord and his family, friends and fans with all his heart, and they ask for prayers and privacy during this difficult time. They add that their father will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Brandon Clarke's body has officially been cleared to be released to his family ... but the mystery surrounding his sudden death remains unclear.

According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's website, the ME has declared the NBA star's body ready for release, however his cause and manner of death is currently deferred ... pending additional testing as authorities investigate.

As we previously reported, Clarke’s death came just days before he was due in court to face multiple criminal charges, including trafficking a controlled substance and felony fleeing.

The Los Angeles Fire Department PIO confirmed to TMZ Sports they responded to a medical emergency call around 5 PM on Monday ... and when paramedics got to the scene, the 29-year-old male was declared deceased.

TMZ Sports confirmed his death is being investigated as a possible overdose ... with officials finding drug paraphernalia inside the home the Memphis Grizzlies player was staying at.

Jason Collins -- the NBA's first openly gay player -- has died at 47 years old after a battle with brain cancer, the league announced.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on the loss ... saying, "Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations."

"He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador," he added. "Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others."

Brandon Clarke -- power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies -- died on Monday, TMZ Sports has learned. He was only 29 years old.

His passing is being investigated as a possible overdose.

Clarke was the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and immediately traded to Memphis.

Brandon Clarke's death is being investigated as a possible overdose ... with officials finding drug paraphernalia inside the home the Memphis Grizzlies player was staying at on Monday, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical emergency call around 5 PM on Monday ... and when paramedics got to the scene, Clarke was declared deceased, first reported by NBC4.

An autopsy will determine the cause and manner of death.

Renowned film critic Rex Reed has died at the age of 87, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Reed died at home in New York City, a friend told the outlet Tuesday morning.

His final review was published in the New York Observer in November, for the film "Truth & Treason."

Reed was 87.

Craig Morton -- the former Denver Broncos quarterback who led them to their first Super Bowl appearance -- has died.

He passed on Saturday surrounded by his loved ones in Mill Valley, California, according to the Broncos.

A cause of death was not immediately revealed.

A registered nurse was savagely murdered by her boyfriend in Illinois ... and the suspect recorded more than 7 hours of her being tortured, sexually assaulted and strangled, according to police.

The grisly recording was discovered on April 30 when police took Kevin Motykie into custody in the garage of the suburban Chicago home he shared with former longtime partner, Katherine Torbick, who was found dead at the scene.

Schaumburg Police detectives reportedly discovered an audio recording device in Motykie's pocket as he was being arrested -- which allegedly holds evidence of the murder.

"Survivor" host Jeff Probst lost a family member ... his brother, Scott Probst, is dead.

Scott's death was announced Monday by their brother, Brent ... in a social media post, he says ... "Some sad news, our brother Scott is no longer with us. He was a great brother, son and friend. I will miss him so much ❤️ I’m so sad he is gone."

The cause and manner of death is unclear.

Jeff hosted "Survivor" since 2000 and Scott has credits on a handful of episodes ... as a camera assistant and an art assistant.

It's the second death in Jeff's immediate family in less than two years ... his mother, Barb Probst, died back in November 2024 and the reality survival competition show honored her with a tribute card in a season 47 episode.

Scott was 58.

Polish YouTuber Lil Narcyz's disappearance has come to a tragic end ... authorities say the 23-year-old internet star was found dead in Croatia nearly a month after he vanished without a trace.

Nikodem Czyżewski -- better known online as Lil Narcyz -- had been missing since early April, last contacting his family on April 8. Police in Gliwice, Poland announced their search was officially over after receiving confirmation his body had been discovered in Croatia.

Cops say investigators chased down every lead they could while trying to locate the influencer, whose disappearance sparked concern among his massive online fanbase.

Michael Pennington, who played Death Star Commander Moff Jerjerrod in "Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" has died.

The acclaimed actor passed away Sunday, according to a report from The Telegraph.

Michael was born on June 7, 1943, in Cambridge, England and began his on-screen career back in 1965 with a supporting part in the BBC miniseries "The War of the Roses."

Bobby Cox -- the Hall of Fame manager who was ejected more times than any other manager in MLB history -- has died ... the Atlanta Braves announced Saturday.

The team took to X to pay tribute Cox -- who managed the team from 1978 to 1981 and then again from 1990 to 2010 -- calling him a "wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of the game."

The Braves add his passion for baseball was only exceeded by his passion for his family ... and their offer their condolences to his widow, Pam, and their children and grandchildren.

Betty Broderick, the woman who shot and killed her ex-husband and his new wife in cold blood, has died ... TMZ has learned.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation tells TMZ ... Betty was pronounced dead Friday morning.

We're told Betty had been transported from the California Institution for Women prison to an outside medical facility back in April ... and she died in the facility.