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James Earl Jones was widely respected on the set of "The Sandlot," even by his 13-year-old costars ... actor Patrick Renna recalls to TMZ.

We caught up with the former child star outside LAX, where he told us what it was like working with the film and stage legend ... and he had nothing but nice things to share.

As Patrick put it ... everyone knew who James was while filming the 1993 coming-of-age movie ... but, they unfortunately didn't get a ton of interaction with the A-lister.

Ivanka Trump is helping lead an effort with relief organizations in North Carolina in the wake of the devastating destruction left behind by Hurricane Helene last week.

TMZ has obtained photos of Ivanka in full-on philanthropic mode in Western North Carolina Wednesday, where she joined emergency-relief organizations CityServe, Love & Life and Mercy Chefs. Ivanka and CityServe have worked together many times before.

Ivanka was joined by her 10-year-old son, Joseph, and they served up hot meals and fresh produce from Planet Harvest, and dropped off emergency supplies to families in need.

The ex-porn star accusing Diddy of sex trafficking her at his White Parties is likely about to be in need of new legal representation ... because the lawyer handling the case is asking a judge to cut her loose.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Adria English's attorney Ariel Mitchell-Kidd wants to withdraw from the case, claiming Adria is giving her conflicting instructions that make it impossible for her to represent Adria.

Mitchell-Kidd also says there's been a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. She claims there are irreconcilable differences between them, and says Adria's "tone and lack of respect and [her] continued behavior and self-destructive activities" have made it impossible for Mitchell-Kidd to continue representing her.

Gary Estes, the Texas man who dropped $4,000 to smash a Taylor Swift guitar with a hammer, says she didn't actually put pen to instrument ... even though it features her autograph, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Gary joined us on "TMZ Live" Wednesday and settled a point of debate about the viral moment ... namely, was this guitar signed by Taylor?!?

Taylor did NOT sign the actual guitar ... instead, Gary says, it looks like Taylor signed a different piece of memorabilia that was affixed to the guitar.

John Amos died of congestive heart failure, according to his death certificate, and he was cremated more than a month ago ... fueling speculation that a family feud was raging at the time he died.

TMZ has obtained the death certificate filed with L.A. County, and it shows the "Good Times" star died August 21 at 5:18 PM at an Inglewood hospital.

The death certificate says there were no other significant medical conditions other than heart failure.

It seems "MomTok" did survive the scandal after all ... TMZ has learned Hulu's sensational new reality show, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," has been greenlit for a 2nd season.

Sources connected to the docuseries, which has become the streamer's No. 1 unscripted premiere of the year, tell TMZ ... the cast begins filming the new season within the next week ... with pre-production already well underway in Utah.

We're told the season 1 stars -- including Taylor Frankie Paul, Demi Engemann, Jen Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Layla Taylor, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews, and Whitney Leavitt -- are all set to return for season 2, despite the growing drama among the group.

Things keep sounding worse for Diddy ... because we've learned the feds are seeing an uptick in accusers coming forward with more allegations, ever since he was thrown in jail.

Sources familiar with the Diddy investigation tell TMZ ... more alleged victims and witnesses are stepping up because they feel less intimidated now that Diddy is behind bars.

Our sources say the accusers are cooperating with federal investigators and providing information about what they know about Diddy's alleged criminal activities.

Jaylen Brown stirred up a stink online with Ice Spice's Munchkins fanbase when he declared her "Think U The S**t (Fart)" song was the worst flood of diarrhea hip hop music ever experienced ... a comment on par for the opinions and buttholes equation, claims "Fisherrr" rapper Bay Swag!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Bay Swag in NYC earlier this week ... he, Ice Spice and Cash Cobain helped spread the sexy drill movement with the "Fisherrr (Remix)" earlier this year, which marches to the same drum as Ice's "Fart."

Of course, that means nothing to the 2024 NBA Finals MVP ... JB says Ice's pooting was the first song that came to mind ... and Bay Swag tells us JB has a right to feel that way, even if he doesn't agree.

Otis Williams has Frankie Valli's back, calling out all those claims he's the victim of elder abuse ... saying it’s just flat-out wrong to think the icon's team is forcing him to hit the stage at 90.

We caught up with Otis, and he tells TMZ he thinks Frankie’s out there performing because he genuinely loves it -- and he's speaking from experience, saying he himself is grateful to still be doing his thing as he gears up for his own 83rd birthday.

We also asked Otis if he's ever faced pressure to hang up the mic like Frankie -- and he said not yet.

Late "American Pickers" star Frank Fritz is being remembered by the network that made him famous ... the History Channel is broadcasting a bunch of his shows, a couple days after his death.

Honchos over at the History Channel tell TMZ ... the network is running a TV marathon today featuring Frank's episodes of "American Pickers."

The marathon started at 7 AM and ends at 4 PM ... and History Channel is adding an In Memoriam image every hour to remember Frank.

Tyga's taking a humble approach to hitting a huge milestone -- his 2018 summertime smash "Taste" just got certified Diamond with 10 million sold!!!

We caught up with T-Raww at LAX this week and he says his "Taste" celebration simply means making more hits -- the grind doesn't stop for plaques -- plaques are a result of the grind!!!

Tyga recently posted up with his record label Empire's execs and got handed his shiny new hardware for his trophy case ... and he tells us the outpour of love was appreciated all across the board.

The smashed-up Taylor Swift guitar from a recent viral video is back on the auction block ... because someone is selling it on eBay.

The seller says this is the guitar a man infamously bought at a charity auction for $4,000 and then proceeded to smash with a hammer in a video that's gone viral on social media.

The eBay listing says the man donated the guitar back to the Texas nonprofit he originally bought it from, the Ellis County Wild Game Dinner, and the sale proceeds will be put towards supporting agricultural education for local youth.

Power Slap's going international for the first time, and they're doin' it with some star power, 'cause TMZ Sports has learned Paige VanZant will compete on October 24 in Abu Dhabi!

30-year-old VanZant, one of the biggest stars in combat sports, will be one of the athletes holding down the Power Slap 9 card at Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi.

PS9 goes down the same week as UFC 308, headlined by Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria, all happening on "Fight Island."

Kanye West stiffed a security guard out of his wages while he was keeping watch over Yeezy's multi-million dollar mansion in Malibu, and then handed the guy a pink slip when he made a fuss ... at least according to a new lawsuit.

Kanye is being sued by a man named Jonathan Monroe, who claims Ye hired him as a full-time security guard back in August 2021 and promised him $30 an hour to protect the Malibu home Kanye gutted during an ill-fated construction project.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Monroe claims he worked 36 to 50 hours a week until he was fired in October 2021, without being paid any of his wages.

"The Apprentice" -- one of the most contentious and sought-after films of the year, depicting the life of a young Donald Trump -- is too spicy for some major TV networks ... at least during presidential and VP debates

Briarcliff Entertainment, the film's distributor, tells TMZ ... a 15-second advertisement for the film was rejected by both ABC and CBS from airing during debate nights.

CBS, which is hosting tonight's debate between Tim Walz and J.D. Vance, told Briarcliff the network doesn't feel comfortable promoting "The Apprentice" in the debate or during national news -- but is open to advertising the film during other parts of the day.

The Hollywood Hills estate featured heavily in "Big Fat Liar" has hit the market ... with a rental price that's pretty hefty.

TMZ has learned ... the abode -- where Paul Giamatti's character, Marty Wolf, called home in the 2002 comedy flick -- is now available to rent for a whopping $135K a month. While that may sound like a big fat sum, the home's amenities justify the jaw-dropping price tag.

Not only does the house boast 7 bedrooms, 11 baths and 12,000 square feet of living space,  it also features a 6-car garage, an oversized landscaped patio, and a luxury fire pit that overlooks a 270-degree view, from downtown L.A. to the Pacific Ocean.