RIP

John Callahan of 'All My Children' fame has died.

The longtime soap star passed away Saturday after suffering a massive stroke at his Palm Desert, CA home ... according to his rep. On Friday, paramedics were called to his home and he was transferred to a hospital in Rancho Mirage, where he was put on life support.

Callahan's rep says his death is NOT related to COVID-19 -- but notes that nonetheless, some of John's family members were only able to see him for a short while due to hospital restrictions currently in place all over the country because of the coronavirus.

His ex-wife and former 'AMC' co-star, Eva La Rue says ... " We are extremely saddened and distraught over the loss of John." She continued, "He was my great friend, co-parent and an amazing father to Kaya. The absence of his bigger than life, gregarious personality will leave a hole in our hearts forever. Words cannot express the shock and devastation we are feeling at this time. The Yankees just lost one of their greatest fans."

John played Edmund Grey on the hit show for years, starring in his role from 1992 all through 2005. He also acted on the daytime drama "Santa Barbara" for a couple years in the '80s as well as 'Falcon Crest' in the early '90s. He also had recurring roles on 'Days of Our Lives' dating back to the late '80s all the way up until 2010.

The guy had 34 acting credits to his name. He's survived by his daughter, Kaya.

"Game of Thrones" fans already reeling from the show ending have another heartbreaking loss -- the dog that played Bran's direwolf has died.

Odin, an Inuit dog who played Summer the direwolf in the very first 'GoT' episode back in 2011, died after being diagnosed with mouth cancer in November.

His owners announced the sad news on social media Thursday, saying they got him as a 7-week-old pup and he's been a member of the family the past decade.

Though they're very sad, they say ... "We can all take great comfort in knowing that he is forever immortalized in the great TV Show Game of Thrones as Summer Bran Starks' Direwolf Pup in Season 1 episode 1."

The HBO show even rallied behind Odin following his cancer diagnosis, helping raise funds for the family, so they could get the TV direwolf special treatment in Dublin on a weekly basis.

The family says Odin was treated to beach walks and his favorite foods during his final days, but succumbed to further illness this week and passed in his sleep.

He was 10.

RIP, good boy.

Tragic day for the basketball community ... beloved Harlem Globetrotters legend Fred "Curly" Neal has passed away. He was 77 years old.

Curly became one of the most recognizable players for the Globies during his 22-year stint with the team ... playing in more than 6,000 games.

Neal's #22 jersey was retired in 2008 ... one of just 5 players to receive the honor.

Curly was also featured in several of the Globetrotters' TV specials ... including "The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island" and "The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Special" ... as well as 'Scooby-Doo.'

Curly was the team's elite ball handler for the Globetrotters after a successful career at Johnson C. Smith University ... where he averaged 23 points a game.

Fellow Globetrotters legend Curley "Boo" Johnson mourned the loss of his friend on Twitter, saying "Last night the World lost a true ambassador of the game of basketball and outside of Muhammad Ali one of the most recognizable faces on the Planet!"

"Rest In Peace my Brother.... "

Police are actively looking into the death of a 22-year-old Washington State football player after he was found dead Tuesday in his apartment, TMZ Sports has learned.

Bryce Beekman -- who started all 13 games at safety in 2019 -- was one of top players on the WSU defense. He was 5th on the team in tackles last season.

But, cops in Pullman, Washington received a call to Beekman's apartment around 5:44 PM on Tuesday for a person with "breathing problems" ... and when they arrived, it was too late.

No official cause of death has been released but a spokesperson for the Pullman Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports there is an active investigation into the situation, as with all death cases.

Beekman was well-liked by his teammates and coaches -- several of whom have already commented on social media.

WR Renard Bell wrote, "Fly high. Forever my dawg." Offensive lineman Liam Ryan added, "Cherish your loved ones. Every second matters."

WSU Athletic Director Pat Chun made a statement Wednesday morning, "Bryce was a tremendous young man, great teammate and will be missed by all."

"We send our deepest condolences and prayers to the Beekman family and his many friends."

Beekman -- from Baton Rouge -- transferred to the Cougars last January from Arizona Western Junior College and wore #26 as a tribute to the late great NFL safety Sean Taylor.

Kobe Bryant's daughters have just been appointed new guardians to represent their interests in their father's trust ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to new legal docs ... Erika Williams has been appointed guardian ad litem for Natalia and Bianka Bryant, and James Summers is repping for Kobe's youngest daughter, Capri.

Vanessa Bryant and Kobe's former agent Rob Pelinka, who are the co-trustees of Kobe's trust, have been instructed to pay any expenses for Erika and James' roles as guardians, using money from the trust ... according to the docs.

As we first reported ... Vanessa filed docs Friday asking a judge to appoint the guardian ad litem for Bianka and Natalia, plus another one for Capri. Vanessa said she wanted to get her legal affairs in order ASAP because of uncertainty surrounding the court system due to coronavirus pandemic and potential government shutdowns.

Christy McGinity is in mourning -- her newborn baby girl died after a premature birth ... TMZ has learned.

The "Little Women: LA" star shared the news Monday, telling TMZ ... "It is with our deepest sorrow that we send our baby girl Violet Eva Carazo to play with the angels." She continues, "We were able to spend two weeks with our sweet baby girl and for that we are forever thankful. Please respect our privacy during this difficult time. Your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated."

We're told Violet arrived earlier this month, 7 weeks before her due date. She weighed just 3 lbs and 15 oz. and measured 15 inches long at birth. Christy had announced her pregnancy with boyfriend Gonzalo Justo Carazo last year.

Violet Eva was Christy's third child.

Montae Nicholson's time with the Redskins is over ... he's been cut by Ron Rivera -- this just 4 months after he was wrapped up in an investigation over a woman’s death.

We broke the story, back on Nov. 14, Nicholson and a friend found 21-year-old Julia Crabbe "foaming at the mouth" in the safety's Ashburn, Virginia home after a night out.

According to police documents, 24-year-old Nicholson and the friend took Crabbe to a nearby hospital ... where she was later pronounced dead.

At the scene the following day, cops say they found pills, weed and "foil with residue" when they searched Nicholson's home ... although they did NOT say who the drugs belonged to.

A spokesperson for the county medical examiner told us back in January that Crabbe died of accidental fentanyl intoxication ... but the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office tells us an investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

For his part, Nicholson has said he's fully cooperating with police and called the days after Julia's death "extremely hard."

Nicholson was also famously involved in a street brawl just a year prior in 2018 ... where video showed him pummeling a man in the middle of a Virginia street around 2 AM.

He was charged with assault over the incident ... but prosecutors dropped the case a few months later.

Nicholson was a pretty solid safety for Washington since being selected in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft ... and he still had one year left on his rookie contract.

It's unclear if his release Monday was related to his off-field incidents ... although Rivera and the Redskins announced they cut four other DBs along with Nicholson.

Darius Slay -- one of the best defensive backs in the NFL -- says he's changing his jersey number from #23 to #24 ... and it's all to honor Kobe Bryant.

Slay was just traded from the Detroit Lions to the Philadelphia Eagles -- Kobe's favorite team. And, since Darius is looking for a fresh start, he felt a number change was in order -- and with #24 available, he scooped it right up!

"I'm rockin' with that two-four this year," Slay said on IG ... "Kobe mode. Black Mamba baby. Rest in peace to the GOAT! One of my favorite players."

"Playing for Kobe's favorite NFL team is a dream come true," Slay said on Instagram, "Man, it's truly a blessing."

Slay rocked #23 for all 6 years he played with the Lions. Before that, it was #9 at Mississippi State. And, #4 during his high school days. So, it's not like there's a prior connection.

The #24 jersey was previously worn in Philly by RB Jordan Howard -- but he signed with the Miami Dolphins last week ... leaving the number wide open.

"I think I'm gonna look good in 24," Slay adds.

Slay is expecting to rock #24 for at least the next 3 years in Philly -- since the Eagles made him the highest-paid CB in the league with a 3-year deal worth $50 million.

Jennifer Lopez's ex-boyfriend -- who she dated for nearly a decade -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

J Lo's high school sweetheart, David Cruz, died Saturday in Mount Sinai West Hospital in Manhattan ... this according to the NYC Medical Examiner's Office. We're told David died of heart disease -- no other info was immediately available.

Jennifer and David got together when she was just 15 (he's only a year older than her, BTW) and they dated for about 10 years before calling it quits in the mid-'90s as J Lo's fame was skyrocketing.

David and Jennifer did attend a few events together back in the day -- when she wasn't well known -- they sure looked like a happy couple.

David's partner of 18 years, Isa, tells us, "He was kind and loving. He never held on to anything and was always very open. He was a devoted father, he helped raise his step-son who is now in the Marines. He loved the Yankees and Knicks. He loved going to the theatre with me. My favorite moment was family date night, because it wasn't just special for me but for the kids as well. He always made sure to end things with an 'I love you.'"

Jennifer's gone on to have super high profile relationships since then -- including dating Diddy, Ben Affleck, Casper Smart, Drake, Marc Anthony (whom she married) and now ... Alex Rodriguez, to whom she's currently engaged.

David was 51.

President Barack Obama sent a heartfelt, admiring letter to blues legend B.B. King just a month before he died, and the unique piece of history can be yours for ... for a pretty penny.

The personally signed piece of White House stationery -- equipped with the presidential seal on top -- was sent to an ailing King in April 2015 as he was dealing with multiple health issues caused by high blood pressure and diabetes.

Obama wrote he had heard of B.B.'s challenges and wanted to send him his "warmest wishes during this trying time."

44 went on to heap praise upon "The King of the Blues," saying, King had touched hearts, moved souls and lifted spirits for decades ... clearly, Barack was trying to do the same for B.B.

Obama ended the letter by saying he and Michelle were thinking of him and sending prayers.

This wasn't the first connection between the African-American icons ... the 2 shared the stage in 2010 at the National Christmas Tree Lighting.

The letter's up for grabs at Moments In Time via King's granddaughter Sylvia Williams, who says her mother gave it to her years ago. She says B.B. never imagined there would be a president of color in his lifetime ... let alone receive a personal letter from one.

King died in May 2015 -- just over a month after Obama sent this letter -- from vascular dementia caused by a series of small strokes as a consequence of his type 2 diabetes. Before he died, his daughters claimed he was a victim of elder abuse by his longtime manager -- and even alleged he may have died by poisoning -- but his autopsy showed no evidence of that.

Obama's get-well letter to King can be purchased for $17,500.

Country music legend Kenny Rogers died Friday evening at his home, surrounded by his family.

Kenny was under hospice care at the time of his passing ... according to a rep for the singer, who also says Kenny died of natural causes.

The Country Music Hall of Famer was known for his impressive string of hits that crossed over to top 40 pop hit radio. The biggest of his 60-year career include, "The Gambler," "Coward of the County," "Lucille," "Lady" and his #1 duet with Dolly Parton, "Islands in the Stream."

Kenny has had serious health issues in the past. Back in 2018, he had to cancel the remaining dates of his 'Gambler's Last Deal' farewell tour due to unspecified "health challenges." When he was forced to cancel, Kenny joked, "I didn't want to take forever to retire."

The iconic singer was born and raised in Houston, and was the 4th of 8 children. He has 5 kids of his own, and got married 5 different times.

Kenny was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013, and in 2017 he was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He's also won 13 American Music Awards, 6 CMAs, and 3 Grammy awards ... 2 of them for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

In addition to his sterling career on the mic, Kenny also dabbled in acting, appearing in movies and on TV. Some of his notable acting credits include the title role in "Kenny Rogers as The Gambler" and an awesome guest-starring spot on "The Muppet Show."

Rogers was also a very successful businessman, who co-founded the restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters. So, yes ... somewhere in the darkness, the Gambler broke way more than even.

Kenny was 81.

RIP