TV

A Washington Redskins linebacker has been cast to portray slain Redskins legend Sean Taylor in a new TV show about his murder ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We've learned 25-year-old Khairi Fortt will star as Taylor on a June episode of "The Perfect Murder" on Investigation Discovery ... which will explore how cops helped solve Sean's tragic 2007 home invasion murder.

The show is a combination of real-life interviews with investigators and family members, and scenes dramatizing the actual events.

But get this ... the role of Taylor's father will be played by Fortt's father, Guy Fortt -- who was an actor working with producers on the show last year when he suggested they consider Khairi to play Sean.

Khairi got the audition and executive producers Kevin Kaufman and Rick Tirelli tell us it was an obvious fit.

Break a leg (or don't, the Redskins wouldn't like that).

Transgender model Isis King is taking a strong stance in support of 'Survivor' contestant Zeke Smith after his televised outing, because she went through the same thing on "America's Next Top Model."

Isis was the first transgender contestant on 'ANTM' in 2008. She was outed on TV, and some rival models refused to acknowledge her transition. Tyra later funded her reassignment surgery.

Isis says Jeff Varner put unfair pressure on Zeke, especially because his being trans had NOTHING to do with winning or losing 'Survivor.'

She did say there's ONE situation where it's relevant, and we highly doubt it applies to tribal council.

Mack Wilds' treasured '95 pendant is looking so shiny and new, 'cause that's what $35k worth of diamonds tend to do.

Mack's had the chain for a while -- The Ninety Five Percent is his company -- but he just added the major coat of quality rocks. Nothing but VS-1 and F colored diamonds (that's primo) covering the 14-carat yellow gold emblem. Jewelers David Bling and Will Da Boss did the flashy enhancements.

We're told Mack threw down the dough for the new piece because he's had a good year -- 2 TV shows, "Shots Fired" and "The Breaks," and his 2nd album, "After Hours," just dropped.

His company motto is "No such thing as 100% in life because if you ain't growing, you dying."

Mack's jewelry collection agrees.

Morena Baccarin won big in court Thursday -- a judge greatly reduced the amount of spousal support she has to pay her ex, partly because her TV and movie gigs ain't a lock just yet.

Morena's lawyer, Samantha Spector, told a judge her client's income was truly up in the air, and she couldn't afford to keep paying Austin Chick $20k per month.

Spector pointed out Morena's TV show, "Gotham," hadn't been picked up yet for a 4th season -- and she's not a lock for "Deadpool 2" either. She also argued Austin could support himself with a j-o-b ... at Starbucks.

Morena's been fighting to get this discount, claiming Chick was sucking her finances dry instead of finding work. As of June 1, she'll only have to pay him $5k/month.

Kane ain't the only famous person running for mayor in Knox County -- the WWE star's opponent has a serious Hollywood background ... and even played a key part in "Friday Night Lights."

Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs) is running against Bob Thomas -- who played the sports radio host Slammin' Sammy in the 'FNL' movie. He was the first and last person you hear in the flick and his voice was a key part in moving the story along.

He's also a real-life radio DJ who had a big show in Knoxville for 25 years.

But get this, his son, Jake Thomas, is also an accomplished actor -- he played Lizzie McGuire's brother, Matt McGuire, on the Disney show. Bob also had a cameo on the show and wrote a few episodes.

Bob was also Jake's voice coach on Steven Spielberg's movie, 'A.I.' -- and spent months working alongside the Hollywood legend.

Bob (like Jacobs, is a Republican) is currently a Knox County Commissioner -- and if you think he's gonna roll over for a WWE superstar, he says you're sorely mistaken.

In fact, Thomas is extremely confident about his chances when the election goes down next year.

Clear eyes, full hearts (and tons of votes) ... can't lose.

Charlie Murphy had his down days on the set of "Black Jesus" but NEVER complained about his health issues ... according to his co-star and friend Gerald "Slink" Johnson.

Slink, who plays Jesus, says he's heartbroken Charlie mostly kept his leukemia battle to himself. As we reported ... he did the same while shooting "Power" with 50 Cent.

But Slink said the thing he'll remember most about Charlie is his relationship with his 3 children.

TMZ broke the story ... Charlie died Wednesday in NYC at the age of 57.

Charlie Murphy kept his battle with leukemia so private, most people who worked with him on "Power" had no idea he was sick.

Production sources on the show -- which stars 50 Cent -- tell us they had no idea Charlie was dealing with cancer. We're told he never told anybody on set and put in the work like everybody else.

Charlie played a prison guard named Marshal Williams on the show.

Family sources tell us Charlie only disclosed his cancer battle to very close friends and family members. We're told he said he didn't want his illness to define him.

And, we're told, even the family members who knew he was struggling were shocked when he died ... they didn't know the situation was that desperate.

A rep Starz, where the show airs tells us, "Starz sends our deepest condolences to Charlie's family and friends. He joined 'Power' for our upcoming season, and his talent shines in every scene. We were fortunate to have worked with him."

IT'S TRUE ... apparently!

WWE superstars Dean Ambrose and Renee Young tied the knot in real life ... so says Renee!

Rumors had been swirling ever since fans noticed the wrestlers were each sporting rings on their wedding fingers ... even though they never referenced the jewelry on TV.

But Wednesday morning, Young seemingly put the whole thing to bed saying, "Marriage is nice. Thanks for all the love."

The two have been dating in real life for roughly 3 years.

So ... MAZEL!!

David Letterman's mother, Dorothy Mengering -- who endeared hearts among the masses that watched her son's late night show -- died in her home Tuesday.

The former church secretary became a staple on the 'Late Show' as a correspondent during the Olympics in Norway, Japan and Utah. She was also featured on her son's famous "Top 10" lists and "Cooking with Dave's Mom" segments.

Dorothy died 1 day before Dave's 70th birthday.

Dorothy's survived by her three children, five grandchildren and her sister.

She was 95.

#RIP

Kevin Sorbo is still positive Jesus would be down with Donald Trump -- even on day 82 of his very eventful presidency.

We got Kevin leaving LAX, where we asked what Jesus would think now that Trump has tried to implement an immigration ban and fired missiles at Syria. The 'Hercules' actor explains why neither would sway JC's support for the prez.

Ya can't say Kevin doesn't stick to his guns -- especially when you see what his stance was on this topic about 10 months ago. Awfully familiar.

A "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" background actor was picked on and refused breakfast because he was the only Asian extra on set ... at least according to the lawsuit he just filed.

Kwon Kang claims he was working as extra in a cop uniform in January when he ordered an omelet from the catering truck, but an employee said he doesn't serve police officers because a cop killed his brother.

According to the docs ... Kang took it as a joke and re-ordered his breakfast, and that's when all the other chefs started laughing at him. Kang claims he felt humiliated because other extras, dressed as cops, got food with no problem. He thinks the truck employees were racist.

Kang says the crew eventually stopped laughing and told him he'd get his omelet -- but he never did. He claims the incident has caused him insomnia and severe emotional distress.

Peter Hansen -- who played Lee Baldwin for 5 decades on the iconic soap opera "General Hospital" -- died Sunday in Santa Clarita, California.

Peter's character started out as an addiction counselor at the hospital, and then the role morphed into Mayor of Port Charles.

Hansen won an Emmy for his alcoholism story line in 1979.

Hansen was also known for his role in the movies "When Worlds Collide" and "Dragonfly" ... and has over 100 acting credits to his name over an almost 70-year career.

He is survived by his son and daughter and 3 grandkids.

He was 95.

'Bachelor' star Nick Viall's big rhumba finish on 'DWTS' with fiancée Vanessa Grimaldi was very revealing ... damn near TOO revealing.

Nick scored a new personal record for his dance to Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You". It's possible Vanessa helped him score a few extra points with their steamy makeout sesh at the end ... not to mention lifting her too high for her dress.

No hard feelings though based on the looks they were giving each other on their way out of the after-party. Next dance -- the horizontal mambo?

Mel B needed a push to leave Stephen Belafonte for good, and she got it from fellow 'AGT' judge Simon Cowell.

Sources connected to Mel tell TMZ about the time Mel moved out of the family home earlier this year. Simon has seen plenty of Belafonte over the years, from 'X Factor' to 'AGT.'

We're told Simon and others felt something was seriously wrong but Mel B would never own up ... she would make excuses for various injuries and no one was sure what was real.

Simon stepped up and told her Belafonte was "a bad guy" and "bad news" and gave her the confidence to leave him.

The big thing for Mel B ... she has left him before, but she came back ... until now, and we're told she gives some of the credit to Simon.

Morocco Omari's mug shot looks worlds away from his gig on "Empire" ... where he's usually the one taking in the suspects.

Morocco -- who plays FBI agent Tariq Cousins on the show -- was arrested and booked last Wednesday in Chicago for misdemeanor domestic battery after he allegedly pushed a woman to the ground several times.

The 24-year-old victim claims she suffered scratches to her neck and chest, which were enough for cops to take him in.

Morocco denies the allegations.

Mel B's longtime makeup artist says he's been in on Mel B's secret for years ... because she's confided in him that Stephen Belafonte caused many of her injuries he covered up with makeup.

We've learned the makeup artist has contacted Mel B's lawyers and offered to write a sworn declaration detailing what he's seen and heard over many years.

He says he frequently had to cover up Mel B's facial and body bruises. He says she would confide in him but lie to others on set about the injuries. And, he says, Belafonte knew Mel B talked to the makeup artist, and he says he was threatened numerous times.

The makeup artist says Belafonte would withhold money from him unless he followed orders ... don't say a word about the injuries.

The makeup artist also says he heard Belafonte being "aggressive and verbally abusive" to Mel B and the children, sometimes calling his wife "disgusting and ugly."

He also says Belafonte was extremely controlling, ordering security to keep tabs on Mel B "beyond a level of safety."

Belafonte has denied any physical abuse.