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Art Metrano -- the stand-up comedian known for his role in the "Police Academy" sequels -- has died of natural causes ... according to his family.

Art's son, Harry, tells TMZ ... his father passed at his home Wednesday in Aventura, Florida. Harry says he didn't just lose his dad, but also his best friend and mentor. He adds ... "He was and will always be the toughest man I know. I have never met someone who has overcome more adversities than him."

Metrano's career began in the '60s but skyrocketed in the '70s thanks to his performance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," in which he performed as The Great Metrano ... a hilarious magic act spoof.

From there, the Brooklyn native began working nightclubs all over the country and performing on famous variety shows like "The Dean Martin Show" and "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In."

He made it to the big screen in 1972's "The Heartbreak Kid" and played DaVinci in Mel Brooks' "History of the World: Part I," and would go on to star as Uncle Rico on "Joanie Loves Chachi."

A couple years later, Art landed perhaps his most famous role in the second and third "Police Academy" films ... as the boss, Ernie Mauser.

Sadly, at the height of his career in 1989, Metrano suffered a severe spinal injury that left him paralyzed. However, he made a remarkable recovery and turned his triumph over adversity into a one-man stage show, "Metrano’s Accidental Comedy" ... in which he emerged from a wheelchair to take a few steps.

Art continued acting until 2001, with his more recent credits including "Party of Five," "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "Chicago Hope."

Metrano was 84.

Donald Trump thinks he'd knockout Joe Biden EASILY in a boxing match ... saying the current POTUS wouldn't stand a chance.

#45 faced the media at the Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort presser before his big commentary gig for Saturday's event ... when he was asked who he'd want to face off against in the ring for a hypothetical fight.

"If you said if I had to box somebody, I think probably my easiest fight would be Joe Biden," Trump said. "Because I think he'd go down very, very quickly. Very, very quickly."

Of course, Trump ain't shy about his hate for Biden ... often referring to #46 as "Sleepy Joe."

DT's refused to accept the fact Biden beat him fair and square in the voting booths during the 2020 presidential election ... so it's no surprise he'd want to duke it out in the ring.

As we previously reported, The Donald is getting paid MILLIONS to call one of three broadcast options for the Triller fight on Saturday alongside his son, Don Jr.

Part of his duties included being the "honored guest" during the bout's final press conference at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort on Thursday ... but only Trump Jr. was actually present.

DTJ said the gig is a natural fit for the Trumps -- they grew up loving combat sports and would probably end up calling the fight to themselves if it weren't for the opportunity.

Trump will be joined by UFC's Jorge Masvidal and Todd Grisham in the broadcast booth on Saturday ... but if you aren't interested in that, there's always the main broadcast with 50 Cent.

As for a fight between Trump and Biden?? Don't hold your breath -- both guys are in their 70s ... among other obvious reasons.

But hey, we can dream.

Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp's relationship is under a microscope in Ryan Murphy's 'Impeachment' series -- and the journalist who first got the real-life story says there's no way to soft-pedal how Monica was stabbed in the back.

Author and journalist Michael Isikoff joined us Thursday to recount his 1997 meetings with Tripp ... which led to him uncovering the fact an independent counsel was investigating Bill Clinton's affair with the then-22-year-old White House intern. He said it was clear to him Linda was betraying Monica's confidence ... something he calls "indefensible."

Those of you alive back then will recall Tripp secretly recorded her conversations with Monica about Clinton -- and now a whole new generation will see those meetings play out in "Impeachment: American Crime Story."

Isikoff says Monica, who's a producer on 'Impeachment,' deserves the opportunity to tell the scandal from her perspective. As he puts it, Linda's treatment of Monica was "dicey" from an ethical standpoint.

Speaking of ethics, Isikoff -- who wrote the book, "Uncovering Clinton: A Reporter's Story" -- also told us why he turned down Tripp's offer to steal Monica's infamous blue dress and hand it over to him.

Of course, Tripp eventually turned over the dress, with Clinton's semen stain on it, to independent counsel Ken Starr, along with her recordings of Monica.

Prince Andrew's old friend, Alan Dershowitz, is trying to get him out of a jam with his sexual assault lawsuit ... by asking a judge to unseal some old legal docs involving Jeffrey Epstein.

As you'll recall ... Queen Elizabeth's son was sued last month by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claims she was a victim of Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme for powerful men, including guys like Prince Andrew and Dershowitz.

Giuffre also sued Dershowitz in 2019 and made similar accusations, but she recently dropped her battery claim against him. He says she dropped it because an old settlement she reached with Epstein in 2009 released him and others from certain liability ... meaning they can't be sued by her for the sexual claims.

According to new legal docs filed by Dershowitz ... this confidential settlement is the reason she had to drop the battery claim against him, and he believes it should apply to Prince Andrew too.

However, according to legal docs, Giuffre's lawyers claim they can't undo the confidentiality of the settlement because other parties were involved ... and Epstein's estate won't undo it either. So, Dershowitz is asking the judge to step in.

Dershowitz wants the judge to unseal the 2009 settlement with Giuffre -- or at least a redacted version of it -- so Prince Andrew can try to use it to get the sexual assault claims against him dropped.

Prince Andrew is accused of sexually abusing Giuffre in NYC when she was 17 as part of the alleged sex trafficking by Epstein and his accused co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Andrew was not cooperative with FBI and federal prosecutors in 2019 and 2020 -- when they wanted to talk to him about Epstein -- and in wake of Epstein's arrest and death in his jail cell, the Prince claimed he couldn't remember meeting Giuffre ... despite a 2001 photograph where he's apparently posing with her.

James Corden is getting protection from a woman he claims keeps showing up at his home, venting her frustration over his wife and imagining them getting hitched.

"The Late Late Show" host's legal team beelined it to court and got a temporary restraining order ... to protect James and his family from a 30-year-old woman he claims has been harassing them for months.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, James claims the woman staked out his Los Angeles home on multiple occasions, including a 6-day stretch this summer where he says she was camped outside his residence in her car and only left when cops got involved.

James claims the woman's harassing behavior keeps escalating, and he says she even showed up at "The Late Late Show" set claiming she was there to marry him.

Marriage seems to be a theme here, even though James says he doesn't know the woman. He claims she told cops they were planning to travel to Las Vegas to get hitched, and says she's expressed frustration that his wife "stole" him from her and once his wife is "out of the picture" they can be together.

James says she's concerned the woman was able to find his home and keeps coming back ... and he fears she poses a threat to his wife and kids.

Kylie Jenner's still in the early stages of her second pregnancy, but it already seems like she'll be a lot less private this time around ... because she's out flaunting her bun in the oven.

Kylie publicly debuted her new baby bump Wednesday night as she stepped out in NYC in a short, form-fitting white dress and a duster ... a fitting look to attend New York Fashion Week.

Of course, she also posted several photos of herself getting ready to go out ... prompting all sorts of "hot mama"-type comments.

As we reported ... Kylie officially announced she's expecting her second child with Travis Scott the other day with a short video documenting the first stages of her pregnancy.

The vid included a trip to the doctor with their daughter, Stormi, to get an ultrasound, as well as the moment she delivered the news to her mom, Kris Jenner.

Machine Gun Kelly's just been sued for allegedly traumatizing a "sensitive, soft-spoken" parking lot attendant ... one who claims the rapper committed elder abuse by pushing him, but it's a really odd accusation.

John Martin Tilli filed legal docs in L.A. court alleging MGK became aggressive toward him and pushed him after he asked the rapper if he had a permit to film his and Mod Sun's movie "Good Mourning With A U" in a Studio City parking lot back on August 23.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Tilli says he showed up to work that morning and was in charge of opening the gate to let bank branch employees into the lot. He claims he parked his car where Kelly's crew was filming, and they asked him to move his car because he was in the shot.

Tilli claims he asked MGK if he had a permit to film there before finding out from the bank branch the rapper did not have permission. Tilli claims he informed MGK's crew and asked them to leave.

That's when, according to Tilli, Kelly and his production crew and staff became aggressive. He claims they approached him and eventually surrounded him.

Tilli, who describes himself as "a very sensitive, soft-spoken, gentle, quiet person," claims MGK pushed him from the front and production crew and/or staff pushed from behind.

What's more ... Tilli claims they yelled in a threatening manner and shook him up so badly "he literally appeared as if he was going to cry through the day.” He's suing for assault, battery, negligence and elder abuse -- but that last allegation is strange, because Tilli is only 49 years old.

There will be NO lack of star power in the announcer's booths at the Holyfield vs. Belfort fight Saturday night, 'cause TMZ Sports has learned 50 Cent will be joining Triller's coverage of the big event.

But, before you start dreaming about Fiddy sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Donald Trump ... the hip-hop star and former POTUS will be on a different broadcast.

Sources tell us 50 will be filling Snoop Dogg's usual role doing color commentary ... which in previous fights has been nothing short of hilarious.

Of course, 50 -- a huge boxing fan -- is also known for his antics ... so the entertainment on the main broadcast should be top-notch.

Even though Trump won't have 50 by his side ... DT won't be alone. UFC star Jorge Masvidal WILL be in the booth with Don Jr., providing analysis.

It makes sense ... the former prez and Jorge go back. Masvidal even hit the campaign trail for Trump in Florida during the lead up to the election.

They were last seen together publicly, where they embraced, backstage at the Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier fight in July.

In addition to DT, DT Jr., and Gamebred ... longtime play-by-play man, Todd Grisham will handle a lot of the heavy lifting in the booth (think Jon Anik).

Tiffany Haddish has strong feelings about the Texas abortion law -- saying men who wanna control women's bodies should experience pregnancy, but she put it in much more, umm ... vivid terms.

We got the comedian at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood where she hosted an event for her She Ready Foundation (more on that in a bit), and asked her about the Texas law outlawing abortion after the first 6 weeks of pregnancy ... even for rape victims.

As a rape survivor, Tiffany's fuming because she believes most of the TX legislators have no idea what it's like to be penetrated, to be a woman or to be pregnant, but she's got a solution -- "Well sir, you carry a watermelon in your pants ... in your balls for a few months!!!"

Watch the video, because she got way more colorful and, frankly, emotional about the topic.

As we reported ... Sarah Silverman also had strong feelings about the new law, calling it a declaration of war on poor people. Tiffany says she's pro-life but also "very much pro-MY life."

Translation: let women decide what they want to do with their own bodies.

On a lighter note ... Tiffany couldn't be more ecstatic to be celebrating the first graduating class of her foundation's summer interns.

She said they all came from foster care or probation departments, and have aspirations of making it in the entertainment industry.

Tiffany says growing up in foster care and moving from house to house and carrying her clothes in trash bags made her feel like garbage. She said everything changed for her when someone gave her a suitcase.

Donald Trump is doing way more than calling a fight this weekend ... he's bragging about making an outrageous amount of cash for the gig, and his deal has a crazy perk.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, Trump says he's making an "obscene" amount of money providing "live, alternative commentary" on the Evander Holyfield/Vitor Belfort fight. We're told Triller, the media company behind the event, is paying a fortune ... millions and millions for his blow-by-blow analysis, though our sources would not be more specific.

And there's more. Trump says Triller is providing him with a G-5 jet to take him back and forth. What's unclear ... Trump lives in West Palm Beach, a stone's throw from the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida where the event is taking place. So that's a car drive, not a plane ride.  It's possible Trump's going to New York City earlier in the day to commemorate 9/11.

We don't know what Triller is paying Don Jr., who will join his father providing commentary.

We're told the deal was sealed over Labor Day weekend ... a deal Trump just couldn't refuse.

Our sources say not everyone connected with the event is pleased, and some are downright angry.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are back in Italy, and even though this time it's for industry biz ... there's always time to pack in a little PDA. It's what they do.

The couple arrived Thursday for the 78th Venice International Film Festival, and were all smiles -- and all over each other -- on the water taxi they took to get closer to the action.

Ben and Jen held hands and looked as romantic as ever as they boarded the boat, so it's safe to say their lovefest will continue abroad.

As you'll recall ... they were already in Italy once this past summer during the resurgence of Bennifer 2.0, and there was no shortage of hugging, kissing and lunchtime lapdancing as they made their way through Capri, down the Amalfi Coast, to Nerano and on a dock in Naples.

Logan Williams -- best known for his role on the CW series "The Flash" -- died from a fentanyl OD.

Canada's BC Coroners Service says the 16-year-old Logan died from an "unintentional illicit drug toxicity (fentanyl)." The manner of his death has been listed as "accidental."

According to the coroner's report, obtained by the NY Post, Logan "struggled with mental health concerns and had a history of consuming illicit substances." And three months before his death, Logan was reportedly unresponsive after consuming substances, though the report wasn't specific.

Logan was later resuscitated and diagnosed with a significant brain injury that messed with his ability to function.

Logan, who played a teenage Barry Allen on the CW series, died back on April 1, 2020 in Burnaby, British Columbia. The day he died, the coroner says Logan left a residential care home and was reported missing. Once Logan returned he appeared agitated and under the influence. He went to bed to sleep it off ... and staff checked on him hourly. But, when staff went to wake him up he was unresponsive.

Howard Stern laid it all out on the table ... f*** everyone who refuses to get a COVID vaccine.

Stern went on a rant this week, arguing vaccines should be mandatory. He railed on the holdouts, in particular 4 radio DJs who refused to get the shot and ended up dead. He bristled that one who expressed regret he didn't get the vaccine ... expressed it on his death bed.

Robin chimed in ... she has trouble drumming up compassion for those who refuse to take precautions and help themselves.

As Howard says, schools have required measles, mumps, polio shots, and on and on, so what's the difference?

His parting words "When are we gonna stop putting up with the idiots in this country. F*** em, f*** their freedom. I wanna be free to live."

Bill Cosby will NOT be hitting the road anytime soon to tell jokes ... because he's got more legal woes to deal with first, and his team is convinced the media will skewer him during a tour.

Cosby's rep, Andrew Wyatt, tells TMZ ... the comedy tour Cosby was planning to launch is officially on ice -- with no resuming date in mind just yet -- and he says the reason they're hitting pause is Judy Huth's civil lawsuit.

Huth sued Cosby way back in 2014 for sexual assault, alleging he pounced on her at the Playboy Mansion in the '70s, when she was just 15. He's denied the allegations, and the suit stalled while Cosby faced the Andrea Constand case -- but now, a trial date's been set for Spring 2022.

Wyatt says Cosby wants to avoid going on tour for the moment because he doesn't want this dark cloud hanging over his head ... as he seems to think the case would become all the media talks about while he toured.

Performing onstage could also be risky for Cosby because Huth's lawyers might potentially try to use his own words against him in the case. We asked Wyatt if that was a concern, but he says Cosby's team is most worried about unfair treatment in the media.

While they're focused on the media, the reality is Cosby will almost certainly face scores of hecklers and protesters wherever he performs ... regardless of current or pending lawsuits.

Wyatt adds they're not pulling the plug due to lack of interest -- he claims about a dozen promoters approached Cosby for gigs.

Kate Quigley's gonna be okay after overdosing in L.A. with friends ... an incident that left 2 of her fellow comedians and another woman dead.

The model/comedian revealed she's on the mend, saying ... "I'm still healing physically & mentally. But reading all the positive messages from u guys is makin me cry tnight."

She added she's grateful for all the support and love, and it's helping her recover in the hospital ... slowly but surely.

We broke the story ... Quigley was at a get-together last weekend in the Venice neighborhood where 3 people -- comedian Fuquan Johnson, comedian Rico Angeli and Natalie Williamson -- all died of suspected accidental fentanyl ODs.

Kate was also hospitalized in critical condition, but she's stable now and says she's getting a little stronger every day.

Tiger Woods is gunning to eventually come back to the golf course ... so says his pal Steve Stricker, who said Wednesday the legend is rehabbing with the intent of playing again.

Stricker -- the captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team this year -- made the revelation during a chat with Dennis Paulson and Carl Paulson, explaining El Tigre has been making strides toward picking up his clubs again.

"I've talked to Tiger a lot," Stricker said. "He's a part of this Ryder Cup family. He won't be able to be a captain's assistant this time around just because of his ongoing rehabilitation to try to get better and to try to play golf again, and that is going well."

Stricker added, "[Tiger] is progressing. He's doing well, things are moving in the right direction."

Many have doubted Woods would ever compete in a golf tournament again after he suffered horrific leg injuries during a car crash last February.

The 45-year-old shattered and broke bones in his right leg -- needing a rod, screws and pins to fix the damage -- and he was still on crutches and moving gingerly as of July.

Stricker, though, made it clear Wednesday that Tiger is hoping to play again ... and has still been very involved in the Ryder Cup process.