You Might Want to Rethink

The woman who infamously went on a racist and hateful rant outside a CVS store in L.A. will NOT face any criminal charges ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Heather Lynn Patton is off the hook nearly 4 months after she went on a hateful tirade threatening to kill black people ... and it was all caught on video.

After the LAPD opened an investigation, it was brought to the L.A. County D.A.'s Office for charge consideration but it was then kicked down to the City Attorney's Office.

We're told the City Attorney evaluated the criminal threats but ultimately they declined to prosecute her. As we reported ... the disgraced Hollywood costume designer dropped n-bombs and viciously screamed she wanted to kill black people.

Bradley Whitford is calling out Stephen King for his color-blind approach to Oscar voting, saying it's ignorant and underestimates one HUGE advantage they both have: WHITE.

We talked to the 'West Wing' vet Wednesday at LAX about King's controversial tweet, reacting to movie fans and critics pissed about this year's Oscar nominees lacking diversity. In a nuthsell, King, who voted on the nominees, said he was only judging on quality ... not diversity.

Brad didn't hesitate to challenge the legendary author, telling us King should consider the fact not everyone is afforded the same opportunities in Hollywood 'cause it matters. He didn't use the phrase, but read between the lines ... he's talking about white privilege.

WARNING: This will make ya a little teary-eyed ...

Dallas Cowboys legend Drew Pearson learned Wednesday he was snubbed from the Pro Football Hall of Fame yet again ... and his reaction to the news will break your heart into pieces.

Drew -- Roger Staubach's favorite target in the 1970s -- had as good a chance as ever of being elected into the Hall this year given its expanded class of 20 TOTAL inductees.

But, when the names were called over a two-hour period and Pearson -- who held a party for the announcements -- didn't make the list ... it was devastating.

Drew rubbed his forehead and fought back tears ... and it was super emotional.

Later, after the news had really sunk in ... a frustrated Drew told his family and friends, "They broke my heart. They broke my heart and they did it like this! They strung it out like this!"

Pearson had every right to be upset ... he's one of the best receivers EVER -- earning three All-Pro awards and winning a Super Bowl with the Cowboys in 1978.

He's most famous for catching what is widely known as the NFL's first-ever successful "Hail Mary" in a playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings in 1975.

The names that were called during Wednesday's announcements included Jim Covert, Winston Hill, Harold Carmichael, Duke Slater, Ed Sprinkle, Steve Sabol, Alex Karras, Bobby Dillon, Donnie Shell, George Young, Cliff Harris, Mac Speedie and Paul Tagliabue.

Meghan Markle and the other Royals need some fresh air -- so she and a few others are getting out and, seemingly, getting on with their lives ... all in good spirits too.

The Duchess of Sussex surfaced Tuesday in Vancouver -- she's reportedly living on the island across the way -- at a place called the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, where she posed with the staff and was grinning from ear-to-ear front and center, in between everybody.

They wrote on Facebook, "Look who we had tea with today! The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, visited us today to discuss issues affecting women in the community."

The DEWC is known for helping those less fortunate in the area, while also providing food and services to women specifically. Looks like these folks do some good work -- and, obviously, their cause caught Meg's eye. She's very much about supporting these efforts.

Across the pond, her in-laws, Kate Middleton and Prince William, were also spotted out and about in Bradford, where they were leaving the local City Hall for what appears to have been some sort of flower-worthy ceremony.

They also rubbed elbows with the locals inside a restaurant where the future King tried his hand at whipping up a smoothie.

Ray J showed up late to his own party with 50 Cent -- but when he finally arrived, he made it worth the wait. Ray knows how to make an entrance ... when money's on the line!!!

Fiddy and Ray were supposed to show up together at the recent L.A. meet-and-greet with fans. The plan was they'd shake some hands, take some pics and promote their respective brands -- 50 with his top-shelf Branson Cognac, Le Chemin Du Roi Champagne and RJ with his Raycon earbuds.

Well, 50 was on time, but Ray ended up rolling in about 90 minutes after things started. Not to worry though, he came prepared ... literally dragging in his own Raycon poster and stand into place for maximum visibility in photos.

The whole scene was kinda ridic, and 50 probably summed it up best, saying ... "What the Ray J is going on?!?"

Heads are rolling in USC's athletic department over the college admissions scandal and university fundraising -- a key part of Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli's defense.

The university just fired 3 officials -- CFO Steve Lopes, senior associate athletic director Ron Orr and associate athletic director Scott Jacobson. USC hasn't said why they were canned, but we've confirmed all 3 were heavily involved in fundraising efforts for Trojan athletics.

TMZ broke the story ... Mossimo wrote a check for $50k, payable directly to USC. Sources connected to the case told us the check was sent to another athletics director, Donna Heinel, who USC already fired. We're told the check was sent at the direction of the scandal ringleader, Rick Singer.

Larry David went FULL Larry David on a gaggle of thirsty autograph hounds who really need to find a new gig, according to him -- and yet, in the end, he kinda encouraged them.

The "Seinfeld" co-creator and star of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" was leaving his season 10 premiere Monday night in L.A. ... and before he could get to his car, he was greeted by the John Hancock brigade. One of 'em told Larry he'd been waiting for 7 hours, and that set LD off on a 'Curb'-worthy rant.

Larry made it clear he didn't tell them to waste 7 hours ... and ripped the group, saying no celeb likes signing for these guys who follow them for signatures, which they turn around and sell.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle can still lay claim to the Sussex Royal brand across the pond -- despite the "Megxit" -- but here in the U.S. of A., someone's already calling dibs!!!

You might've heard the Duke and Duchess of Sussex filed trademark docs in the UK to use the phrase "Sussex Royal" for possible merch in the future -- including possible online sales on their recently launched site of the same name.

Doesn't look like anyone's fighting 'em for the brand in England, but it ain't gonna be so easy for 'em stateside thanks to a guy named Joel Fogelson ... who's already filed an application to own "Sussex Royal" in America.

Now, frankly, this could get complicated for Joel if he was dead set on keeping it because it's their name, after all. However, he tells us he only filed for it on digital platforms because he saw it was available, and simply couldn't believe it.

Welcome to the middle ground between light and shadow -- to an area where Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy's daughter finds herself in ... "The Twilight Zone."

Yes, Sophia Macy is set to appear in season 2 of the hit series recently revived by Jordan Peele. The 19-year-old, whose SAT was infamously rigged by Rick Singer and co., will make her 'Twilight' debut in an episode called "Among the Untrodden."

It'll be Sophia's third credited acting role, but they were relatively small gigs ... so, this'll definitely count as her big break -- and it couldn't come at a better time.

If it seems Tyson Fury is acting a bit "jerky" before his big Feb. 22 rematch with Deontay Wilder, it's because the guy is masturbating 7 TIMES A DAY!!!

At least, that's what Fury is telling people ... claiming a little (or A LOT of) self-love is helping to keep his testosterone levels at a championship level!

"I'm masturbating 7 times a day to keep my testosterone pumping," Fury told reporter Manouk Akopyan at L.A. Live on Monday.

"Pump it, pump it, pump it, pump it up! Dontcha know!"

The 31-year-old Gypsy King explained ... "I gotta to keep active and the testosterone flowing for the fight. Don't want the levels to go down."

Couple questions ...

1. 7 times a day?!? Who's got that kind of time?
2. Is this a real thing with boxers? (No way, right?)

We have heard some crazy stories from athletes trying to find a legal edge before a big event ... but this could take the cake.

President Trump signed and delivered the 2 articles of impeachment against him ... to a guy who duped 45 into a very valuable autograph, which he's trying to hawk for big cash.

The Prez held a rally last month up in Battle Creek, MI and at one point, he apparently signed a paper handed to him by someone in the crowd. That signature, as it turns out, was scrawled on a copy of the House of Representatives' impeachment document.

We're told the guy who snagged the autograph printed out the report the day before the House formally voted to accuse POTUS of high crimes.

Now, this fella's partnered up with Goldin Auctions ... which we're told is expecting to get anywhere from $50k to $100k, with an opening bid of $4k. It's up for grabs on their site from Jan. 20 through Feb. 22.

It's funny ... a similar item featuring Trump's John Hancock made its way to the auction block last month -- an unwittingly signed copy of Trump's Oath of Office from a Pennsylvania rally.

Dina Lohan has answers to just about everything cops allege she did this weekend during her DWI arrest -- denying she was in the wrong or in the danger zone for booze.

LiLo's mother's attorney, Mark Jay Heller, tells TMZ ... Dina was leaving an Outback Steakhouse Saturday near her East Coast home, and as she was pulling her Mercedes out of the lot when she hit the other car, a Honda.

Heller says Dina didn't see any damage, and claims no one was injured ... so she left, thinking nothing of it. Soon enough, she had the cavalry behind her.

We're told Dina was surprised to see several cops tailing her as she got home -- the implication being, she didn't think she'd done anything wrong. As for that pesky breathalyzer, Heller says she refused it 'cause she was NOT drunk ... and thought they'd lie.

As for the police officer's claim, Dina fell on her face as she got out of the vehicle, Heller says that's BS, and claims the officer actually pushed her to the ground.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were ramping up for their exit from royal life as early as this summer ... when Harry pitched his wife's talents to Disney's CEO ... face-to-face.

Resurfaced video from this past July appears to show PH chatting it up with Bob Iger at the '"Lion King" premiere in London -- during which he seems to say, "You know she does voice-overs?" to a genuinely surprised Iger who responds with, "Oh really? Ah ..."

Iger goes on to say he didn't know that, and Harry follows up by saying Meg is "really interested." Moments later, you hear someone clearly say "We'd love to try." Mind you, this was all being said right next to Meg as she hugged Beyonce and Jay-Z.

As we reported ... Meghan's work with Disney is a done deal -- she reportedly completed her gig with them before the holidays in exchange for a donation to a charity called Elephants Without Borders. The nature of the voice-over and the amount of payment is unclear.

Ed Sheeran was dishing out free vegan nuggets in England this weekend from a freakin' food truck ... is what you might think happened at first glance from this surreal scene.

A company called THIS held a big promotional giveaway Sunday in London's BOXPARK Shoreditch shopping center, where they were giving away their plant-based nugs to offer customers an alternative to meat. There was a catch too ... they said an A-list celeb would swing by during the handout, and it sure looked like they delivered. Keyword, LOOK.

Bottom line ... the guy who was presented as Ed wasn't actually him -- just a dead-ringer doppelganger who pretty much fooled just about everyone who came up to the window.

Sources close to the company tell TMZ ... fake Ed Sheeran was a gimmick to play up the benefits of their vegan snacks, which offer the great taste of real meat without the downside. To hit that point home, they hired this dude ... complete with a bodyguard and all.

Boosie Badazz says he meant no harm when he rocked Kappa Alpha Psi letters at an NBA game ... but he wants angry frat bros to chill out and stop talking gangster.

Boosie's apologizing for his fashion faux pas -- wearing a red sweater emblazoned with the black fraternity's Greek letters -- telling TMZ, he was just thinking about looking fresh, and didn't anticipate igniting a firestorm on social media.

In case you missed it ... the rapper posted a selfie from his courtside seat at the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks game, and frat bros were quick to rip Boosie for his choice of clothing, calling it offensive and dripping with disrespect.

Boosie says he's got Kappas from all generations coming at him sideways ... but he says the keyboard gangsters need to cool it on the tough talk.

Queen Elizabeth is having a face-to-face with the Royal men of her life to hash out what's next for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ... who wanna be part-timers.

TMZ has confirmed that Her Majesty has summoned Harry, Prince William and their dad, Prince Charles, for what's said to be an unprecedented meeting Monday at her country home of Sandringham, Norfolk to discuss next steps for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

It's the first time the immediate family has gotten together in person since the Sussexes said they were out (ish) and wanted to seek financial independence from across the pond.