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Beloved actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. -- perhaps best known for his catchphrase "Sheeeeeit..." from "The Wire" -- has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

The Hollywood veteran passed away peacefully Tuesday in New York following a short illness, his manager Brian Liebman tells us. Deadline was first to report his death.

Whitlock starred as corrupt Senator R. Clayton Davis on "The Wire" and had recurring roles on "Veep," "Your Honor," and "Atlanta."

Whitlock collaborated with Spike Lee on several film projects, including "25th Hour" -- where he originated his signature phrase -- "BlacKkKlansman," "Da 5 Bloods," and "Chi-Raq."

Discovery Channel star Chad Ollinger told cops in Nevada he strangled his cellmate and then smashed the guy's face into a metal post ... all because he had the feeling the guy was a pedophile.

According to the arrest report, obtained by TMZ, authorities interviewed the TV star ... and say Ollinger told them he had the supernatural power to read people and know things about them.

In the docs, cops say Ollinger confessed to murdering Christopher Kelly, his cellmate at Clark County Detention Center, and told them the killing was "righteous" due to Kelly being a pedophile.

Alabama Barker is definitely all out of Christmas spirit ... 'cause she just torched people giving her grief over gifts she got from her fam ... which included lots of lingerie.

Here's the deal ... Alabama did an Xmas "haul" on TikTok -- showing off all her gifts -- and among the goodies was lingerie ... which she said her father Travis Barker got for her. And of course there were plenty of people who said that's freaking weird.

Obviously, Alabama had to clap back ... explaining that while the lingerie was technically from Dad, it was her stepmom Kourtney who picked it out -- so, haters need to STFU.

Ian Ziering is facing an ugly reminder of a New Year's Eve incident from two years ago ... he's being sued for assault and battery stemming from a 2023 brawl on a Hollywood street with motorcyclists.

Jacob Hernandez, who says he was one of the bikers involved in the physical altercation, is dragging the "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum for intentional infliction of emotional distress, malicious prosecution, negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress ... this according to a civil complaint filed in Los Angeles Monday and obtained by TMZ.

In the filing, Hernandez laid out his POV of what went down ... saying he and his pals were driving on their mini-motorbikes between cars on Hollywood Blvd. on December 31, 2023. At one point, he says, they waited for a safe time to change lanes and stopped in front of a Mercedes-Benz, which Ziering was driving. Hernandez claims that's when Ziering stepped out of his car and "with full force shoved" him ... which Hernandez claims caused physical injuries to him and his vehicle.

Hernandez reiterates traffic was stopped at the time and insists he was "not impeding the flow of traffic in any way" when Ziering allegedly became aggressive toward him. He also claims he did not hit the Mercedes. TMZ published video days after the altercation which does appear to show Ziering shoving the man.

Mario Rodriguez -- the man who accused Tyler Perry of sexual battery last week -- says friendly text messages the two allegedly exchanged don’t undermine his claims and are actually consistent with his account.

The model and actor told PEOPLE ... “I want to briefly respond to what’s being said about me right now. People are pointing to messages where I was polite, grateful, or vulnerable — and trying to use that to discredit me.”

He continues, “When someone has influence over your career, your income, your future, you don’t feel free. Survivors often stay cordial. They often ask for help when they feel desperate.”

Rodriguez adds that the messages don’t negate his allegations. “That does not mean abuse didn’t happen. Those text messages were sent at a time when I was especially vulnerable, as can be seen from the context. Continued financial support and access are not inconsistent with abuse — they are often part of the power dynamics that follow it.”

Sally Struthers was seen in public on Monday ... weeks after her "All in the Family" costar Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were brutally murdered in their Brentwood home.

Sally was snapped out and about in Los Angeles ... and her mood appeared to be glum ... understandable given the recent double killings that rocked Hollywood.

TMZ broke the news ... Rob and Michele were butchered in their home on Dec. 14 ... and their son Nick has since been arrested and charged with their murders.

Tyler Perry's alleged text messages with his sexual battery accuser Mario Rodriguez seem to show the other man asking Perry for money prior to filing a lawsuit against him.

We've obtained alleged text messages between Rodriguez and Perry ... with several sent on August 31 of this year.

Check out the messages which were allegedly sent by Rodriguez ... beginning with him writing he hasn't been feeling well recently and blaming it on his teeth.

Diddy’s children are ready to tell their side of the story after the fallout from their father’s criminal case ... and they’re doing it in a new docuseries.

Two of Diddy’s sons, Christian and Justin, announced in a new promo Sunday they’re partnering with Zeus Network on the project, which is set to drop in 2026.

The trailer opens with Justin turning on a television as the brothers sit side by side, watching footage from Diddy’s sex trafficking trial and reliving moments where reporters swarm them outside the courthouse.

Christian and Justin stare blankly as headlines about Diddy’s case, lawsuits, and alleged parties flash across the screen.

At one point, a young girl is heard saying, “Your daddy got four years” -- seemingly heckling the brothers following Diddy’s sentencing to four years and two months in prison on prostitution-related charges.

Justin is seen placing his hand on Christian’s shoulder as they watch old footage of the Combs family entering and exiting the New York courthouse, along with video of federal agents outside their homes during the March 2024 raids.

Stars as unique as snowflakes headed for the cold to celebrate the holidays ... no, they didn't vacay at the North Pole -- they journeyed to Aspen, Coloado instead!

Mariah Carey brought a little cowgirl style to the popular skiing destination ... throwing on a gray cowboy hat and a heavy white coat.

Ivanka Trump channeled her inner Heatmiser in a bright red coat while standing atop the mountain ... puckering up her mouth and seemingly blowing a kiss at the camera.

Melanie Watson Bernhardt -- an actress known for her role on the hit TV show "Diff'rent Strokes" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Robert Watson -- Melanie's brother -- tells us ... Melanie passed away Friday in Colorado Springs.

We're told Melanie -- who was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease where a person's bones fracture easily -- had been in the hospital after suffering some issues with bleeding, where she quickly deteriorated.

Chad Ollinger, who appeared on Discovery Channel's "Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch", is facing a murder charge after his cellmate was found dead inside a Las Vegas jail ... TMZ has learned.

According to the Las Vegas Metro Police, corrections officers conducting routine checks at Clark County Detention Center Friday discovered a male inmate "lying motionless inside a cell." Officers entered and observed the inmate had apparent blunt force injuries.

The inmate was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jerry Seinfeld shared photos showing himself hanging out with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Larry David, giving fans an unexpected glimpse of the iconic trio back together.

In the Instagram shots, the three appeared relaxed and laughing as they posed together during the holiday get-together.

Tori Spelling won't be letting it ride in Las Vegas this weekend ... revealing she's sick and has to cancel an appearance with her ex in Sin City.

The actress announced the news via Instagram Friday ... telling her fans she reluctantly couldn't host the '90s After Dark Party on Sunday with Brian Austin Green because she's dealing with a major illness.

Spelling tells her fans it hurts her to cancel her appearance ... but she needs to prioritize her health this holiday season -- and, she thanks fans for their love and understanding.

Holly Ramsay is a married woman!

The 25-year-old daughter of Gordon and Tana Ramsay married Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty in the UK Saturday. The famed chef can be seen proudly walking with his daughter outside The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

He looked dapper in a tuxedo embellished with a white flower boutonniere, while Holly looked like a Christmas angel in a silky white dress that featured a full skirt and ornate lace detailing.

Gordon took to Instagram before he walked Holly down the aisle and gushed that he was "so lucky" to do so, and thrilled to be "gaining an incredible son in law" in Adam.

A man who once starred on a reality show about swingers has been arrested in Ohio and charged with 2 sex charges -- one involving an animal.

Tony McCollister, who starred on A&E's short-lived "Neighbors with Benefits" reality series about swingers, was cuffed in Warren County Tuesday on charges of pandering obscenity involving a minor and sexual conduct with an animal. His bail was set at $250,000 when he was arraigned in court this week, which he satisfied.

He is next due in court on Dec. 30, per WLWT5, who was first to report the news.

More Epstein files were released, Nicki Minaj has gone full MAGA, and Jake Paul's got fatherhood on the brain. So we gotta ask ...