Celebrity Death

BeatKing, a beloved Houston rapper and producer, has died ... and TMZ has learned what caused his death.

A rep for the rapper tells us ... BeatKing passed away in a Houston hospital Thursday after suffering a pulmonary embolism. We're told the rapper was doing a morning takeover at the Urban One/Radio One station, when he fainted and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

He passed away later that same day with his 2 daughters by his side.

Jack Russell, the former front man for the rock band Great White, is dead.

Jack died Thursday, surrounded by his family ... including wife Heather Ann and son Matthew Hucko, plus his cousins and some friends ... according to his band.

Russell family spokesperson K.L. Doty tells TMZ … Jack died as a result of Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy.

Matthew Perry's family is still grappling with his death ... but they're grateful to learn justice is being served after 5 people were arrested in connection to the actor's ketamine death.

The "Friends" star's loved ones -- including stepdad and "Dateline" correspondent Keith Morrison -- spoke out after U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada confirmed multiple people were booked for supplying MP with ketamine prior to his sudden passing in October 2023.

The family noted in a statement ... "We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously. We look forward to justice taking its course."

"General Hospital" star Johnny Wactor's murder case has been solved, at least according to cops, because cops have served search warrants early Thursday and are in the process of making "multiple arrests" ... TMZ has learned.

LAPD has ID'd members of the Florencia 13 gang in connection with Johnny's murder outside Level 8 in downtown L.A., where he worked.

We're told fingerprints found at the scene helped crack the case.

Rock legend Greg Kihn -- the guy behind "Jeopardy" and "The Breakup Song" -- has died after a fight with Alzheimer’s.

The tragic news was shared on his official blog ... revealing he died Tuesday ... with the tribute, "Rest in peace, dear Greg. Your music, your voice, your stories, your spirit and your passion will forever echo in our hearts and inspire countless souls."

Born in Baltimore, Greg made his mark in the SF Bay Area music scene ... really hitting it big in the ’80s with his unique mix of rock, folk, blues and pop with The Greg Kihn Band.

Gena Rowlands, who famously played Allie in "The Notebook," is dead ... TMZ has learned.

The retired actress died Wednesday afternoon at her home in Indian Wells, CA ... where she was surrounded by family, including her husband, Robert, and her daughter Alexandra Cassavetes.

We're told her son, director Nick Cassavetes, had also been at the home frequently this week.

Ángel Salazar -- famous for playing Al Pacino's trusted sidekick "Chi Chi" in "Scarface" -- was filming an indie spin-off of the iconic gangster movie when he died ... and we've got the first look at him in action.

Director Eric Spade Rivas tells TMZ … Ángel seemed fatigued when shooting scenes in New Jersey back in April, but he was still getting ready to film more scenes later this year in Miami.

The movie is called "The Brooklyn Premiere" ... and it also features Steven Bauer, who plays Manny Ribera in the OG "Scarface." The film's about a Brooklyn film director facing a midlife crisis who sets out to make a "Scarface" parody comedy to revive his career.

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.