Disney

It's still a sweet life for ex-Disney star Dylan Sprouse ... who came on TMZ Live to explain why he took a gig as a host in a NYC restaurant -- and it's not because he's gone broke.

Dylan, and his twin brother Cole, left their hit Disney show "The Suite Life on Deck" 2 years ago to enroll at NYU ... and there have been several stories claiming Dylan's down on his luck and had to take the hosting job to pay his bills.

But Dylan told Harvey and Ryan the real reason -- and insists he's just livin' the life of a college student.

The question is black and white.

What's good for the Miley is good for Vanessa Hudgens -- and GREAT for us to watch ... because the former Disney star opened up her own twerking clinic last night.

Vanessa performed with her new girl group YLA at Bootsy Bellows -- doing some singing, some dancing ... and then tried like Hell to shake her ass right out of her booty shorts.

Here's the thing ... Miley Cyrus caught major flack for displaying a lack of back during her VMA twerkfest. Does Vanessa's ass action deserve the same ... or does it get a pass?

Ashley Tisdale's obsessed fan just pled no contest to felony stalking -- and will serve no further jail time ... though he'll still have to stay the hell away from Ashley for a long time.

Nicholas Fiore was arrested back in June for violating the restraining order she got against him -- after claiming Fiore threatened to shoot her, and bombarded her with more than 18,000 tweets.

The judge gave Fiore credit for jail time served, one year of outpatient counseling, 5 years probation ... and $350 in fines and fees.

A criminal protective order -- requiring Fiore to stay 100 yards away from Tisdale -- will remain in effect for the next 5 years.

It just keeps getting worse ... "That's So Raven" star Orlando Brown is behind bars, 2 weeks into a 180-day sentence ... in one of the craziest, most drawn-out DUI cases we've ever seen.

Law enforcement sources tell us, Brown was remanded into custody on August 23 following a hearing ... where he failed to show proof he completed court-ordered alcohol ed classes for his 2011 DUI arrest.

The only good news for Brown is L.A. County jails are way overcrowded -- so, he's expected to be released after only 27 days ... on September 19.

Former Disney star Lee Thompson Young died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head ... this according to the actor's official death certificate obtained by TMZ.

We broke the story ... Young's body was discovered at his North Hollywood apartment on August 19th, after he failed to show up to the set of his TNT drama "Rizzoli and Isles."

According to the death certificate, Young used a handgun to take his own life.

Young -- who rocketed to stardom back in 1998 as the title character in the Disney show "The Famous Jett Jackson" -- didn't leave a suicide note.

Young's friends and family are still struggling to understand why the actor shot himself -- though some of his family members told law enforcement he suffered from "depression issues."

Young was 29.

Disney is none too pleased that TMZ got the cast list of "Dancing With the Stars," because we've learned the head of security has launched an investigation to find the leak.

The Mouse House apparently was not amused when we told you Valerie Harper, Leah Remini, Snooki, Elizabeth Berkley, Amber Riley and others will be appearing in the upcoming season. We're told security will start interviewing staffers tomorrow to find the alleged mole.

So we're guessing this won't make Mickey's parents happy ... we found out Tristin McMannis will be Valerie's partner. What's more ... we're told Valerie -- who has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer but is in remission -- is rehearsing like a champ and is getting no special breaks.

Screw the VMAs ... Demi Lovato spent her Sunday diving face first into a jumbo Disneyland TURKEY LEG ... and looked damn good doin' it.

If you didn't know ... the smoked Dland turkey leg is a park ICON, weighing in at 1.5 pounds. In fact it's sooooo tasty some conspiracy theorists think it's made of dead emus.

Mmmmm Emu.

Law enforcement is STUMPED as to why Lee Thompson Young shot himself to death ... TMZ has learned.

Our sources say Young did not leave a suicide note. He had a diary, but we're told it revealed nothing as to why he took his life. The diary consists of multiple, mundane entries.

Our law enforcement sources say authorities also went through Young's personal computer -- it contained nothing revealing.

We do know this. Members of Young's family have told authorities the actor had "depression issues" in the past. We're told they have the names of several doctors who may have treated Young for the problem, and authorities plan to contact the MDs to determine the severity of the depression.

Lee Thompson Young's suicide is a dark mystery ... because law enforcement sources tell TMZ he did NOT leave a suicide note.

TMZ broke the story ... Young was found dead in his North Hollywood apartment Monday. We're told he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Our sources say Young did have a diary ... but we're told none of the entries reveal why he would have taken his life ... at least at first glance.

Law enforcement sources also tell TMZ ... Young was last seen on Saturday and they believe he may have taken his life sometime that day.

The case is a real mystery because everyone we've spoken with in Young's life tells us he had no apparent serious life issues.

Lee Thompson Young -- who played the main character on Disney's "The Famous Jett Jackson" -- has committed suicide, TMZ has learned. He was 29.

Young's body was discovered inside his North Hollywood home Monday with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to sources. It's unclear why Young took his own life.

Lee's publicist said, "It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning ... Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed."

Young currently appears in the TNT show "Rizzoli & Isles" -- and we're told when he didn't show up to work Monday morning, staffers called Young's landlord to check up on the actor. That's when the landlord found him.

The executive producer of "Rizzoli & Isles" tells us, "Everyone at [the show] is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young."

She adds, "We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family. Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and offscreen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, to his friends and, most especially, to his beloved mother."

Young was a rising star in Hollywood. After he made it big as a Disney star, he went on to play running back Chris Comer in the 2004 movie "Friday Night Lights."

The Old Man from "Pawn Stars" took a break from breaking people's balls in Vegas ... and took his wife on a date to the Happiest Place on Earth this week ... with some help from some motorized scooters.

Wearing his trademark hat and an awesome flowered vacation shirt, Richard Harrison (yes, he has a real name) ... was spotted on Main Street at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA with his wife Joanne.

With a combined estimated net worth approaching $700 million ... Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec (aka the cast of ABC's "Shark Tank") took in the rides at Disneyland yesterday with their families.

"High School Musical" star Chris Warren is singing a happy tune these days, because a judge recently awarded him $330,000 ... from his own parents.

As TMZ first reported, Warren sued his mom ("Passions" actress Brook Kerr) and dad, (Christopher Warren Sr., not famous) claiming they established a trust for him back in 2001 for all the money he made as a minor, but were secretly dipping into it ... big time.

Neither of Chris' parents ever responded to the suit, despite being properly served, so the judge sided with Chris ... to the tune of $337,186.68.

Aspiring rap star Amanda Bynes doesn't need street cred, 'cause she's got something way more powerful -- DISNEY CRED ... this according to her new hip hop partner Waka Flocka Flame.

WFF was heading into the WME agency in Beverly Hills yesterday when we asked about his plans to help launch Amanda's rap career into orbit.

FYI -- Bynes was a Nickelodeon star, not Disney, but we think we get Waka's point.

According to Flocka, things are going so well ... he's already given Bynes an official RAP NICKNAME!!