Health

Matthew Perry has figured out a way to break the cycle of addiction that gripped his adult life ... and it aligns with the name of the show that made him famous.

Matthew is opening up about the disease that consumed him for decades in an upcoming ABC special with Diane Sawyer. He's on a mission to help others who have self-isolated, because he's a firm believer there's no way out unless you have a support system. He says, "Alone, you lose to the disease."

The "Friends" star has been through a lot ... 6,000 AA meetings, 15 stints at rehab facilities. He's doing ok now and feeling good, and he credits people around him for keeping him on the straight and narrow. He singles out Jennifer Aniston for her assistance during the show and after.

Matthew's been in TV shows and movies since "Friends," but it's clear addiction was the dark centerpiece of his life until recently.

He's grateful for all the "safety nets" around him ... and for the hit sitcom, which he says gave him outlets for help when needed. Now he wants to spread the word to others.

Leslie Jordan was coping with discomfort in the weeks leading up to his death -- a health issue that was concerning enough for him to make an appointment with a cardiologist ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the late actor tell TMZ ... for the last 3 weeks, he was experiencing shortness of breath. We're told Leslie was scheduled to see a cardiologist within the next week to check out his heart, and see if there were any underlying health issues.

Other than that, we're told Leslie was generally healthy ... but did have COVID last year.

We've spoken to law enforcement sources who tell us they believe Leslie suffered a heart attack prior to crashing his BMW Monday into a building in Hollywood.

Tributes have poured in for the 67-year-old since TMZ broke the news of his death, including from Dolly Parton who said, "Leslie and I had a special bond, I think the world felt they had a special bond with him. I know people always say, 'Oh, they will be missed' but in this case that could not be more true."

The 17-year-old teen shot by a cop in a McDonald's parking lot must now face another health battle, he's fighting pneumonia in the hospital.

Erik Cantu's family spoke out for the first time Tuesday, revealing he's got a ton of staples and tubes in his body. There's also a delicate balancing act between Cantu's medication and a breathing machine to keep him alive.

To make things worse, Cantu's dad, Erik Sr., says the teen is waking up with flashbacks -- raising his hands in the air and moving his foot like he's pushing a car pedal.

Erik's mom, Victoria, says there was a bullet by his heart -- and he was also shot in the stomach, diaphragm, lungs, liver, bicep and forearm.

As we've reported, Cantu was shot multiple times by police officer James Brennand while he was eating a burger in the parking lot of a McDonald's. Brennand was responding to the restaurant on an unrelated call.

Brennand was fired by the police department and is facing two felony charges of aggravated assault by a public official.

Karl-Anthony Towns wants to help Anthony Edwards make some serious improvements in his life ... and it starts with ditching his love for fried chicken.

Following Minnesota's 115-106 loss to the Spurs Monday night, reporters asked KAT if there was any merit to Edwards blaming himself for the team's lackluster performance.

Towns revealed the reason he believes the Wolves were sluggish on the court ... and vowed to fix the situation.

"Maybe I can do a better job teaching him how to take care of his body," Towns said. "Diet and everything. That'll be on me."

Despite playing back-to-back nights, the Wolves were heavy favorites against the Spurs, but they looked fatigued -- and Edwards finished with 9 points.

KAT thinks it's time to change what Ant's putting in his body ... which he admits has made him upset.

"I know y’all think it’s funny up here when he talks about Popeyes and all that s***," Towns said. "That doesn't make me happy to hear."

After seeing the COVID-19 illness affect him and his family, KAT has adopted a more health-conscious mentality, which he hopes spreads to 21-year-old Edwards.

Towns -- in his eighth season in Minnesota -- said that as high-level athletes, there's a responsibility on him to make sure his teammates are taking care of their bodies.

New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger will be out indefinitely ... after he suffered a broken eye socket against the Jaguars in a terrifying play on Sunday.

The scary incident happened with 56 seconds left in the first half of NY's game against Jacksonville in Florida ... when Bellinger caught a 13-yard pass and was inadvertently poked in the left eye by a Jags defender.

The 6-foot-5, 253-pound rookie crumpled to the ground in serious pain ... and images from the scene showed he was bleeding profusely from his eye while he was being carted off the field.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced Monday that the 22-year-old's left eye socket was fractured in the play, and will require surgery. It's unknown when he'll be able to return to the field.

"Any time one of your better players gets injured, you'll always miss him, but that's why you have players on your roster," Daboll said.

"People are here for a reason. We've said this before. We have to find a way to use our pieces the best way we can. So we have two tight ends, we have a practice squad and we'll try to do the best job we can of utilizing their strengths."

Bellinger -- a 4th-round pick in this year's draft -- has been one of the Giants' best offensive weapons this season, logging 16 receptions for 152 yards and three total touchdowns.

Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the 'Harry Potter' films, died from several health issues ... the most dire dealing with infections, heart issues and his weight.

Robbie reportedly died after multiple organ failure ... according to his death certificate. The document also says he'd been battling sepsis, a lower respiratory infection as well as blockages in his heart.

As if that wasn't bad enough -- the actor's death certificate indicates he'd previously been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

As we reported, Robbie died earlier this month at the age of 72 ... he was in a hospital at the time, near his home in Scotland.

Gavin DeGraw was forced to pull the plug at the last minute on a show for the Boys & Girls Club -- his team says he was sick as a dog, but he's already planning to make good.

Sources connected to the fundraiser tell TMZ ... Gavin was booked to perform last weekend at the 2022 "Enchanted Masquerade" Chrysalis Ball for the Boys & Girls Clubs in Collin County, TX.

The club serves upwards of 5,000 kids, and Gavin's performance was the first big in-person event they'd planned since COVID shutdowns. So, that's why organizers were so bummed when Gavin had to cancel on the very day of the event.

Our sources tell us the singer's team notified the Boys & Girls Club that Gavin had fallen so ill, he had to be hospitalized ... and wouldn't be able to make it to the event.

We're told event organizers had already spent $20k in production costs, and they ended up using the band originally booked for their after-party to replace Gavin.

It is unclear what Gavin's illness was -- our sources say his appearance fee will be returned, but the Club won't get the production and rider costs back.

Understandably, there were some disappointed folks at the fundraiser.

DeGraw's team says he's since made a full recovery, and while he regrets having to cancel ... he hopes to come back and support the organization soon.

French Montana continues to trailblaze in the name of humanity, and his peers are recognizing him for a mission that's literally changing and saving lives.

The diamond-selling rapper was honored Thursday night at the 2022 Pencils of Promise Gala ... for helping raise more than $226 million towards healthcare in Africa. Specifically, he's funded the Budondo Suubi “Hope” Health Center, which is the primary source of healthcare for new mothers and their babies in an otherwise desolate region of Uganda.

For his efforts, the gala bestowed French with this year's Innovator Award.

Model Meadow Walker -- yes, Paul Walker's daughter -- is also a Global Ambassador for Pencils of Promise, and received the Activist Award for her role within the WASH program ... helping to uplift young girls out of impoverished situations.

Gary Vaynerchuk, Climate Club CEO Adam Braun, and PoP CEO Kailee Scales were also in attendance.

French tells TMZ Hip Hop he was honored to receive the award, and thanked his partners Global Citizen and Mama Hope as well.

He added, "PoP is doing groundbreaking work globally to keep kids in school and make sure they have a safe environment to learn. This reminds me of my humble beginnings growing up in Morocco when I didn't know how to speak English."

French says, "Education was fundamental to my journey immigrating to the U.S. and starting my career as an artist, which is why this work is so important to our youth."

Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton -- who lost her left arm in a horrifying shark attack in 2003 -- has found yet another way to be an inspiration to the world ... she's authored a new children's book aimed to help kids get past their fears!

The athlete's new work, fittingly called "Surfing Past Fear," dropped earlier this month -- and it's all about an otter named Olivia who faces her fears after she breaks her arm while surfing.

Olivia gets help from her friends Mobi -- a one-armed bear -- and a flamingo named Abby -- and Hamilton says the whole point of the book is to teach kids how to overcome adversity.

Of course, she would know how to do that as well as anybody ... following her terrifying encounter with a tiger shark when she was just 13 years old, she went on to become one of the best surfers in the country.

Now, she says she's hoping her new book can not only help kids learn from her -- but also aid parents who are trying to get her message across to their children.

"I feel like I'm kind of a mix of the two characters," Hamilton said. "I'm Olivia, in like I had the accident and also how she has her comeback."

"I'm also kind of like Mobi, the bear who's born without an arm and he encourages Olivia to overcome her fear and seek a more positive truth-filled thought process."

Hamilton, a mother of three, says she's not planning on stopping with this one book either ... telling us she'd love to pen more similar works in the future.

But, right now, she's enjoying time with her family and surfing ... and has even helped her son step into the boarding world.

Some encouraging news from Alonzo Mourning ... the NBA legend says his friend and former teammate Dikembe Mutombo is in "good spirits" after receiving treatment for a brain tumor.

The NBA announced last week that the Hall of Famer was diagnosed with a brain tumor .. and was set to receive treatment in ATL.

On Friday, Mourning provided an update on Dikembe's condition.

"Thanking God this morning!" the former Miami Heat player said in the IG caption, "My brotha is on the mend and in good spirits!!!"

And, you can see it on Mutombo's face ... he's all smiles with his longtime friend.

Remember, Mourning and Mutombo go way back -- before playing together on the New Jersey Nets (2003), the two were teammates under John Thompson on the Georgetown Hoyas from 1988 to 1991.

When Mourning and Mutombo entered the league, they immediately became a problem. Both players won Defensive Player Of The Year multiple times, and led the league in blocks.

They've also both been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball of Fame.

"Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers," Mourning said, "Prayer is truly uplifting."

Don't expect an NFL comeback from Todd Gurley ... 'cause the running back says he's done playing football, he just hasn't officially retired yet.

Speculation about the former star RB retiring started after TG posted several tweets this week, thanking current and former NFL stars like Barry Sanders and Tiki Barber for what they brought to the game of football.

The 28-year-old told NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano there's no subliminal message behind his tweets -- he just wanted to give the players their flowers.

"I just wanted to let those guys know that I appreciate them for everything that they’ve done for me from like an inspirational level," Gurley said on Thursday, "just from watching those guys since I was 4, 5 years old."

Gurley says as "alpha males", men don't express themselves on an emotional level like they should and he was in the spirit to buck the trend.

"We don't big each other up, we don't congratulate each other. We see each other post-game and that's pretty much it," Gurley said.

"Just wanted to let everybody know that I really appreciate their game, appreciate everything that they've done for me."

Does this mean Gurley will be getting back on the field? Nope ... the 3-time Pro Bowler said he's "most definitely" done with football but hasn't filed for retirement yet.

"I don't think there's any question about that one," Gurley said.

Of course, Gurley's career, though plagued by injuries, was pretty great. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015, and the Offensive Player of the Year in 2017. He made three All pro teams, too.

The former Georgia Bulldog, and 10th overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft, spent his best years with the Rams, where he led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2017 and 2018.

Gurley hasn't played a down since he suited up for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020.

If there weren't enough proof the world has gone crazy and mental health is a critical issue for our survival ... check out this horrific story of a 23-year-old who allegedly stabbed his mother and dog with a samurai sword before he was Tased by police.

It happened Tuesday night in L.A. ... Eric Herrera is seen on video dazed, holding the sword as police implore him to drop it. In short order, a cop Tasers Herrera, and you see him fall to the ground.

Neighbors say the scene looked like it was right out of a horror movie, as they watched it all unfold. One neighbor says it appeared Herrera was in the midst of a mental health crisis.

The woman was pleading for help, screaming, "I'm your mother!"

There are conflicting reports about the fate of the family dog. The most recent report is that the dog seems to have survived the attack, but that's unconfirmed.

The mother's condition has not been released, but KTLA says a relative told the outlet the woman is in stable condition.

Kanye West is catching heat for using the r-word to describe President Biden ... condemned by folks who advocate for folks with Down syndrome and disabilities.

Ye lashed out at Biden in his interview with Piers Morgan, saying POTUS is "f***ing r-word" for not seeking input from Elon Musk, and now the epithet is sparking outrage.

Jordan Kough, Executive Director of the National Down Syndrome Congress, tells TMZ ... the r-word is hateful to all people with disabilities, and it's very disappointing to see Kanye embrace it. Even worse, Kough believes Ye knows it's highly offensive.

The NDSC says the r-word strips humanity from folks with disabilities ... and Kough is encouraging Kanye, and others with big platforms, to consider the power of their words.

Over at the National Disability Rights Network, Kanye's losing tons of support. Executive Director Marlene Sallo says disability advocates appreciated when Kanye once said his bipolar disorder was his superpower, but now those same people are super upset to see Ye use an "outdated and hateful" word.

The NDRN is going a step further ... calling for Kanye to apologize. Good luck with that.

Ye's also being denounced by the National Down Syndrome Society ... a rep there tells us the r-word has no place in public discourse, regardless of whether it's aimed at someone with a disability or not.

As we reported, Kanye's on a tear against lots of groups ... making a slew of antisemitic remarks ... most recently during his chat with Piers, when he stated he only wanted to go "death con 3" on Jews who have screwed him over.

Kim Kardashian has big plans for Kris Jenner's hips -- like, the actual bones -- and not to be outdone, her mom wants her own remains turned into dazzlin' accessories.

The odd ideas came up on the latest episode of "The Kardashians" -- as Kris is in recovery mode from hip replacement surgery, a 3-way chat with Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner is what prompts the macabre fashion pieces convo.

Kris says Kim wanted her old hip bones to be saved, so she could turn them into jewelry ... and it's clearly a 2-against-1 conversation in the room, with both daughters finding the idea absurd.

Khloe then goes further, reminding her mom about a similar idea Kris had -- where she wanted her cremated remains to be turned into necklaces.

Clearly, the daughters still aren't diggin' it.

It's an idea that's being put to use, though ... as we reported, Coolio's kids are in the process of designing jewelry that will hold some of their dad's ashes.

Post Malone's concert stages have it out for him, because he got a fresh injury -- a banged-up ankle -- at his show in Atlanta, just one month after busting a rib onstage.

PM was in Atlanta for his Twelve Carat Tour when he took a wrong step up during his performance of "Psycho" and twisted his ankle so badly, he had to go down on his knees.

Check out the clip -- Post tried to keep it going Tuesday night, but the pain was too much ... and stagehands eventually rushed to his side to see what happened.

He hobbled back up to the mic to fill in the fans ... saying he twisted his ankle because of a gap in the stage meant for pyrotechnics.

The show went on, although Posty admitted the dance moves were gonna have to suffer because of the injury.

Those stage gaps are no joke for Post -- as we reported, he stepped into a hole in the floor at last month's St. Louis show. That one was way worse than his ATL ankle.

He eventually went to the hospital for the rib injury, and had to postpone a show in Boston ... which he made up a few weeks later.

Terrifying scene in the AEW on Tuesday night ... "Hangman" Adam Page -- one of the org.'s biggest stars -- was taken out of the ring on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital after he landed awkwardly during a match.

Thankfully, however, AEW officials say it appears the wrestler is already on his way to making a full recovery.

The scary incident went down during Page's scrap with Jon Moxley at AEW Dynamite in Cincinnati, Ohio ... when he was struck in the head by a forearm while running at full speed.

Video from the event's broadcast shows the blow was so violent, it caused Page to come down on his head, unprotected.

Page lay on the mat for several moments after being struck -- and quickly, it became apparent to the ref that something was seriously wrong. The match was stopped, and trainers raced in to tend to the 31-year-old.

Page was eventually strapped to a stretcher -- and Moxley grabbed a mic and told the crowd to pray for his rival.

AEW officials released a statement saying Page was taken to a nearby Cincinnati trauma center ... and diagnosed with a concussion. But, fortunately, they added he was discharged shortly after.

"[Page] will remain in AEW's concussion protocol," the org. said. "AEW and Hangman Page are grateful for the exemplary response and care of staff and local medical personnel and are appreciative of the love and support of fans everywhere."

Several stars in the wrestling world wished Page a speedy recovery ... including Big E, who recently suffered a serious neck injury in a similar in-ring incident.

"Praying for Hangman," he said.