Celebrity Death

Ángel Salazar -- best known as Al Pacino's trusted sidekick "Chi Chi" in the iconic gangster film "Scarface" -- has died, TMZ has learned.

Salazar's rep and closest friend, Ann Wingsong, tells TMZ ... the actor passed away in his sleep at his friend's Brooklyn home over the weekend.

On Sunday morning, Wingsong said, the friend went to check on Salazar in a room and found his body in bed. A cause of death was not disclosed, but the rep said Salazar suffered from heart issues.

Early in his acting career, Salazar landed the role of Chi Chi, the devoted henchman of Pacino's famous Tony Montana character in the 1983 Brian DePalma-directed film "Scarface."

Fans of the legendary movie will never forget Chi Chi saving Tony's life during the so-called "chainsaw scene." They will also never forget Chi Chi's bloody demise at the end of the flick when his back gets riddled with bullets from a hit squad hired by drug kingpin Alejandro Sosa.

Of course, Tony Montana also goes down in hail of bullets at the hands of Sosa's gun-wielding assassins.

The man charged with felony murder in the shooting death of rapper PnB Rock has just been found guilty.

A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday convicted Freddie Lee Trone on one count of murder, one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, and two counts of second-degree robbery ... stemming from PnB Rock's September 2022 slaying.

TMZ broke the story ... PnB was gunned down inside a Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles restaurant in Los Angeles as he sat and ate with his girlfriend.

Rapper Chino XL's friends and family sadly announced Monday the veteran MC died Sunday ... shattering several generations of the hip hop community.

According to his family, Chino passed away at his home, leaving behind his mother, 4 children, a stepson, 4 grandchildren and his longtime partner Stephanie.

His daughters released a group statement, saying ... "Our father had many titles -- King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero -- but the most important one was Girl Dad. And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic. The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace.”

Actress Erica Ash -- famous from one of the 'Scary Movie' films and "Survivor's Remorse" -- has died ... this according to her family.

Her mother, Diann Ash, tells TMZ ... "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, and friend Erica Chantal Ash (1977-2024). After a long and courageous battle with cancer, she transitioned peacefully surrounded by her loved ones."

She adds, "Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor, and genuine zest for life. Her memory will live eternally in our hearts. In honor of Erica’ memory, the family asks that any donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation or the Breast Cancer Foundation of your choice. We are grateful for the kind expressions of love and support during this difficult time."

Sinéad O’Connor’s cause of death has been revealed one year after her tragic death ... with her death certificate listing multiple respiratory issues, according to reports.

The Irish Independent reports O'Connor passed away from COPD -- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- exacerbated by bronchial asthma. She'd also been suffering from a respiratory tract infection, a contributory factor.

While British authorities announced back in January O'Connor passed from natural causes -- no foul play suspected -- we didn't know the exact cause until this week.

Three members of the hit gospel family band The Nelons have died in a plane crash ... according to a statement by the fourth member of the band.

Autumn Nelon Streetman posted a joint statement with her management team Saturday morning telling fans her mother Kelly, stepfather Jason and sister Amber -- the other three current Nelons members -- died in a plane crash on their way to Alaska Friday.

Also killed in the crash according to the post ... Amber's husband Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife Melissa.

Shifty Shellshock's friends and family are ready for his grand send-off ... plans for his celebration of his life are finalized, and TMZ has all the details.

The Crazy Town frontman is being honored Aug. 11 at Academy LA ... and some fans will be welcome to join Shifty's loved ones in remembering him and saying goodbye.

Pasquale Rotella, CEO of Insomniac Events, is organizing the event -- he's a longtime friend of Shifty's -- and there are gonna be DJ sets by Graham Funke, Lady Sinclair, Edski and Trixter.

Esta TerBlanche left behind a bunch of animals -- including some very unique pets -- when she died last week, and they had to be collected by a third party ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us cops got called to the "All My Children" star's home last week when her assistant went to her house to check on her because she hadn't heard from Esta ... who had just returned to the States from a trip overseas.

Our sources say the assistant found Esta Friday on the ground in her bathroom, called 911 and first responders pronounced her dead on the scene.

Sandy Posey -- who hit it big time in the '60s with her music career -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

The late pop singer's husband, Wade Cummins, tells us his wife passed away Saturday morning at her home in Tennessee -- this following complications from dementia, we're told.

Wade tells us Sandy had been battling dementia for a while now, with a slow decline over the past seven years. Aside from that, he says she was in relatively good health ... with no issues like high blood pressure or problems with any other organs.

Duke Fakir, the last surviving original member of the beloved Motown group the Four Tops, is dead.

The singer died Monday at his home in Detroit as a result of heart failure ... according to his family.

Duke's family tells his hometown newspaper, the Detroit Free Press ... "Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a trailblazer, icon and music legend who, through his 70-year music career, touched the lives of so many."

"16 And Pregnant" star Sean Garinger's official cause of death is blunt force injury to the head ... according to the M.E.'s office.

TMZ obtained the docs from the Raleigh, NC Medical Examiner's office, and the report on his February death says his skull was fractured in multiple places -- after his horrific freak accident involving an ATV in the driveway of his home.

As we previously reported ... Sean was driving his ATV when the ground gave way, flipping the off-road vehicle and pinning him underneath. The accident crushed his skull, tragically ending his life before help could arrive.

Esta TerBlanche -- a star on the iconic soap "All My Children" -- has died at 51, her family tells TMZ.

Barbie Ashley, her goddaughter, tells TMZ ... Esta died unexpectedly on Thursday in her North Hollywood home ... medical personnel believe the South African actress had been dead for about a day before she was found.

The cause of her death is under investigation, her rep, Lisa Rodrigo tells us ... adding there is no other information at this time.

Richard Simmons' team's keeping his legacy alive ... sharing a post the late star approved before he passed -- including what looks like a recent pic of the fitness guru.

The people behind Simmons' X account shared a post they say Richard worked on tirelessly that was supposed to go up last Sunday -- the day after he passed away.

In the post, the account managers explain how RS would go over posts multiple times ... holding off on posting until he'd written them exactly how he wanted.

Whitney Rydbeck -- an actor known for his appearance in a 'Friday the 13th' film and several major sitcoms -- has died ... according to his longtime friend.

The actor passed away early last week according to his friend, director Tommy McLoughlin, who just posted the news a couple days ago ... saying the world lost a truly funny comedian and kind-hearted friend.

The Hollywood Reporter spoke with McCloughlin as well ... who told them he died from prostate cancer complications while in hospice care in Chatsworth, California.

Richard Simmons' death certificate sheds no further light on the mystery surrounding his death ... but does provide some interesting details on his final resting place.

In the document obtained by TMZ ... Richard's manner of death is not listed -- instead, it notes the manner of death is still pending an investigation. This explains why there is still no cause of death to report.

However, it appears the fitness guru -- who is actually referred to as a "Health Motivator" on the cert -- has already been laid to rest a week after his death. Per the doc, Richard was buried here in L.A. at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Bob Newhart -- an absolutely iconic figure in stand-up comedy, TV and film -- has died.

Bob passed away Thursday at his Los Angeles home after a series of brief illnesses, according to his longtime rep.

He's perhaps best known for his deadpan delivery, and his 2 successful sitcoms -- "The Bob Newhart Show" came first from 1972 to 1978, and costarred Suzanne Pleshette, Marcia Wallace and Peter Bonerz.