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Filmmaker Jeff Baena -- best known for directing films like "Life After Beth" and "The Little Hours," and the husband of Aubrey Plaza, has died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... police and fire responded to a Los Angeles-area home Friday around 10:30 AM for a death investigation ... after an assistant discovered him dead.

Baena was pronounced dead at the scene ... law enforcement says he died by suicide.

Nicki Minaj could face criminal charges for the incident alleged in her former manager's recent lawsuit ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the Detroit Police have sent a warrant request to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office that is being reviewed to determine whether criminal charges will be issued.

It will fall to the prosecutor to decide if they'll file charges.

Michael J. Fox received America's highest civilian honor Saturday ... after President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in an emotional moment.

The actor attended the ceremony at the White House Saturday ... alongside several other stars and high-profile Democrats who received the same honor from the 46th president.

Watch the clip ... Michael walks to centerstage with help from a man in uniform to stand alongside POTUS -- when a series of his accomplishments are read out.

Lauren Sanchez doesn't need to wait until Wednesday to wear pink ... pulling off a Barbie-chic dress while enjoying an island vacay to kick off her new year.

The former entertainment reporter was walking around Gustavia, St. Barts, earlier this week in the form-fitting dress ... cut out at the sides, revealing her tan skin underneath.

The dress ends pretty high on her legs ... more of a summer number than one worn in the dead of winter -- though St. Barts has gorgeous weather year-round, to be fair.

Zachery Ty Bryan allegedly punched a woman multiple times and threatened to kill her before his arrest on January 1 ... TMZ has learned.

As you know, the former "Home Improvement" star rang in the New Year by adding another arrest to his rap sheet ... and, according to the incident report, officers responded to a call just before 7 PM on the 1st in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Cops say they spoke to the alleged victim when they arrived at the scene ... and, she told them Bryan punched her multiple times on the left side of her face.

Jake Lloyd -- the child star who played young Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" -- is finally talking about his mental health issues ... diving into the recent treatment he received.

The former actor spoke with author Clayton Sandell -- co-writer of 'Star Wars Timelines' -- alongside his mother, Lisa Lloyd, for a feature posted to Sandell's Substack.

According to Sandell, Jake just finished an 18-month stint in a mental health rehab faciliy after having a "psychotic break" in March 2023 ... during which his mom says he turned off the engine of his car while driving down a three-lane highway.

Ariana Grande has got jokes ... and the "Wicked" star was not afraid to let one fly at herself during the Palm Springs International Film Awards.

While accepting the “Rising Star” award for her performance in "Wicked" ... AG noted that she never thought when she started out as a child actor, she would be in the biz at 31.

And with that, she quipped ... "I want to start by thanking my good friends Botox and Juvéderm. I thought I’d be hearing ‘Slightly Withering Star’ or ‘Drooping Star’ by now, so thank you.”

Britney Spears shared another sweet moment of the holiday reunion with her son Jayden ... showing him unwrapping some gifts he got from his superstar mom.

Near a lavish Christmas tree, Jayden was seen holding up a black sweater, with Britney commenting, "Nice, nice, oh that is nice. Wow, that's really nice."

Still inspecting the clothing, Jayden gave thanks to his mom ... to which she responded, "You're welcome."

Nicole Kidman got emotional during an acceptance speech at the Palm Springs International Film Awards ... and even started crying as she dedicated her award to her late mother.

The Oscar-winning actress was given the International Star Award for her latest movie, "Babygirl," by film legend Jamie Lee Curtis at Friday's festival in California.

Nicole stepped up to the mic onstage to say a few words -- and almost immediately began talking about the death of her mom, Janelle, in September.

The procession for former President Jimmy Carter has begun in Georgia ... his home state, which is where he died this week at the age of 100.

A motorcade with a flag-draped casket of the 39th president began the journey to Washington by going through his hometown of Plains on Saturday.

Former Secret Service agents who protected President Carter acted as pallbearers when the procession initially began at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in GA.

Here's a new way to miss a flight ... a Waymo passenger says his driverless ride to the airport wouldn't stop taking him around in circles ... and he documented his travel nightmare on video.

Footage shows a man named Mike Johns sitting in the back of his Waymo ride, which won't stop circling a parking lot.

Mike calls Waymo customer service to report the issue, telling them he's in danger of missing his flight ... but the rep is unable to stop the car in its tracks ... and Mike keeps being driven in a circle.

What happens in the hot tub ain't stayin' in the hot tub ... These steamy stars may be in for a chill time, but they're definitely heatin' up and keeping social media all fogged up with their HOT hot tub thirst traps!

Heather Graham surfaced above the water in Wyoming to flaunt what 54 years old looks like in a blue bikini 🔥 and Kristin Cavallari sizzled a black two-piece and a cup of joe in her hot tub photo-op!!

"Call Her Daddy' podcast host Alex Cooper knows how to do cold weather ... poppin' some bubbly, while plunging into an outdoor jacuzzi in a pair of fuzzy ear muffs.

The Titans are in desperate need of a quarterback, but Chris Johnson is advising his former squad to still take Travis Hunter in the spring's NFL Draft -- telling TMZ Sports Tennessee would be "absolute fools" to pass on the Heisman Trophy winner.

If the season ended today, the 3-13 Titans would have the No. 2 overall pick ... and many pundits believe they should be targeting a signal-caller like Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward there -- as their QB play has been dreadful this year.

But, Johnson thinks it'd be a huge mistake to miss on Hunter for one of the young arms ... explaining to us he thinks the two-way Colorado star could change everything for his ex-team.

The terror attacks on New Year's Day have set a terrible tone for 2025, and the Lively/Baldoni legal war is like watching a ping pong match. So we gotta ask ...

6:57 PM PT -- Nicki’s lawyer Judd Burstein tells TMZ … “At this time, no complaint has been served upon Mrs. Petty (Nicki's married name), and therefore, we are unaware of the specific allegations. However, if the lawsuit is as reported by TMZ, it is completely false and frivolous. We are confident that the matter brought by this ex assistant will be resolved swiftly in Mrs. Petty’s favor.”

Nicki Minaj exploded on her day-to-day manager and hit him in the face so hard she knocked his head back and sent his hat flying ... at least according to a new lawsuit.

The "Starships" rapper is being sued by a man named Brandon Garrett, who claims he was working as Nicki's manager during her tour earlier this year when she got physical with him.

In the lawsuit, filed by high-powered trial attorney Thomas Feher and obtained by TMZ, Garrett claims Nicki sent him on an errand after her April 2024 concert in Detroit ... and when he got back he was summoned to her dressing room.

Chris Appleton took a well-deserved break from his celeb haircare duties, stripping down to his swim trunks ... 'cause the only thing he was styling was that tan during his scorching-hot Cabo vacay.

There was no shyness here -- Chris had his 6-pack abs on full display while hitting the beach for the New Year's getaway, and of course he made sure to document it in-depth on his social media.

Chris took a well-deserved break from the sun, standing under the beach shower, cooling off after a full day of sand and sunshine -- 'cause even the hottest getaways need a little rinse.