Movies

John David Ashton ... the actor best known as the hard-nosed, by-the-book detective in the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise has died, TMZ has learned.

John died peacefully Thursday in Ft. Collins, Colorado after a battle with cancer ... his rep tells us.

During his 50 years in Hollywood, John appeared in more than 200 film, TV and stage productions ... but he arguably became a household name when he co-starred alongside an up-and-coming Eddie Murphy in 1984's "Beverly Hills Cop."

Jussie Smollett's always cool with Lee Daniels ... saying he appreciates the director giving him his big break -- and, he'd rather keep their relationship private.

We caught up with the embattled actor in New York City Friday outside a movie theater on the same day "The Lost Holliday" -- a project JS directed -- received it's wide release ... and, we had to ask about Daniels' recent comments about him.

Jussie says he's got a lot of love for LD ... admitting he appreciates the opportunity Lee gave him -- his starring role on "Empire" -- and, he doesn't like to talk about their relationship publicly 'cause it's so special to him.

Attendees at Goldie Hawn's charity gala got front-row seats to a once-in-a-lifetime performance ... watching on as comedian Martin Short and Kate Hudson performed a duet.

MindUP -- Goldie's charity focused on supporting kids' mental health and preventing suicide -- held it's 20th-anniversary gala Saturday night called "Goldie's Love In" where Short and Hudson showed off their pipes for the audience.

After a few jokes about Kate's leggy ensemble, Martin starts up the band ... jumping around like a giddy schoolboy before belting out the opening notes of Frank Sinatra's "The Lady is a Tramp."

Jacob Elordi's letting his cares melt away under the warm Italian sun ... flaunting his six-pack alongside girlfriend Olivia Jade Giannulli -- all while some back in the U.S.A. are blasting his recent casting in "Wuthering Heights."

The actor and his GF hit the Italian coast with her family ... and, clearly he enjoyed the refreshing blue water in the Mediterranean -- launching himself off the boat and into the surf repeatedly.

He's dripping wet in most of these pics ... flaunting his six-pack in just a pair of navy blue shorts while his better half seemed to mainly stick to the shore and the ship.

Maggie Smith may be gone, but she'll live on forever in the Wizarding World ... 'cause "Harry Potter" fans have been tributing her ever since her death was announced yesterday.

The legendary actress -- who played Professor McGonagall is seven of the eight films -- inspired several "Harry Potter" related tributes with one of the largest taking place outside Hogwarts ... the replica at Universal Orlando, that is.

Check out the clip ... a group of fans congregated outside the castle -- which houses a popular ride in the theme park -- wands raised to the sky. It's an homage to the sixth 'HP' movie after Professor Dumbledore dies to ward off the darkness ... led by Maggie, of course.

Captain Jack Sparrow's back ... not in "Pirates of the Caribbean 6" necessarily -- but, Johnny Depp's resurrected the character to cheer up some kids going through a rough time.

The actor stopped by a children's hospital in San Sebastián, Spain ... dressed as his loveable pirate Captain Jack -- complete with the eyeliner, dreads and his slightly drunken walk.

Check out the video ... JD's got a cheerful hello for the doctors working hard at the locale -- appearing to drop the character later on to have a meaningful convo with some of the medical staff on-site.

Scottie Pippen is jumping into the documentary game -- the NBA legend tells us he's linking up with a top filmmaker, and they're creating a series chronicling the 1990-1991 Chicago Bulls, focusing on the actual game ball from the title-clinching game!

"We're looking to do a documentary on this basketball because we think that there's a lot of stories to be told," Pippen told Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs nightly on FS1).

"I think that ball really was a start of a dynasty and almost, I want to say, the end of a great dynasty in the Los Angeles Lakers, who we've known for many years in the '80s as 'Showtime,'" Scottie said, explaining the significance of the basketball.

Hayden Panettiere is making her big return to acting and she's here to stump you with some minor changes. Examine the two photos and see if you've got what it takes to track 'em down ... Nothing's a shoe-in with these sneaky switcharoos!

Making a stop by the "Drew Barrymore Show" earlier this week, the 35-year-old mama showed off a fresh new blond 'do while promoting her newest movie "Amber Alert". She dressed perfectly for a fall day in NYC, but some things just aren't buttoning up properly ...

Vivica A. Fox says her nephew Jussie Smollett has his career back on track ... claiming fans love the new movie they worked on together -- fully separating art from the artist.

We caught up with the actress at LAX on Friday ... and, we had to ask her about how audiences were receiving her new flick, "The Lost Holliday" -- and, whether opinions about Smollett have contributed to criticism of the movie.

VAF points out "The Lost Holliday" has played in theaters all over the world ... from London to New York to Los Angeles -- and, so far, she says it's only received positive reviews.

Barbara Leigh-Hunt, a legendary actress of the stage and screen, has died ... her family has confirmed.

The British star, who was best known for appearing in Alfred Hitchcock's 1972 thriller, "Frenzy," died peacefully in her home in Warwickshire, England on Monday, Sept. 16.

She leaves behind a 7-decade-long acting legacy, which includes one of Hitchcock's most controversial movie scenes.

Maggie Smith -- a legendary actress who worked professionally for more than 70 years -- has died ... according to a statement from her family.

Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, released a statement ... saying Smith passed away in the hospital peacefully early Friday morning. They did not give a cause of death.

Smith's family thanked the staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and support during their mother's final days ... and asked for privacy during this trying time.

George and Amal Clooney hit their 10-year wedding milestone this month, and the actor's still in full swoon mode ... laying it on thick with compliments and support at their charity bash.

The actor was all about the wife goals at the Clooney Foundation for Justice's The Albies in NYC Thursday ... giving props to Amal for always being on the right side of history and making it clear he was extremely proud to be in the same room with her.

George hyped up Amal ... saying he'd support her in anything, anytime. He explained the night was about shining some of the limelight on unsung heroes fighting for justice.

If there's a scene in the new "Happy Gilmore" script that requires a gator to snap at a golfer's arm ... the handler for the reptile that played the part in the OG flick tells TMZ Sports it's down to reprise the role.

The alligator -- nicknamed "Morris" -- has been enjoying the sweet life at the Colorado Gators Reptile Park in Mosca ever since it gained fame for stealing Adam Sandler's golf ball in the 1996 "Happy Gilmore" movie ... but its owner, Jay Young, says it's willing to come out of retirement for the highly anticipated sequel.

Young, though, says Sandler and Co. would have to jump through some hoops to make it all work out ... as the 70ish-year-old, 500-pound beast simply can't be transported these days.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is out of gift ideas for Michael Douglas after a quarter-century of sharing a birthday ... so Michael's present this year is seeing his wife in her birthday suit!!!

The actress posted a nude as part of a birthday tribute to Michael on social media, joking she didn't know what else to give him after 25 trips around the sun together.

Catherine, who looks amazing by the way, says the tasteful nude is gift option number two ... with golf balls being option one "of course."

Austin Butler's back in action on set, filming scenes for his new movie "Caught Stealing" -- and he's got some star-studded company, teaming up with none other than Bad Bunny.

The rapper was almost unrecognizable in a dark red hairdo and matching beard as the cameras rolled in NYC Wednesday, and Oscar nominee Austin was splattered with fake blood -- so you can bet your bottom dollar they’re diving deep into the gritty crime thriller.

Looks like they got a lot of action in the can during the evening shoot for Darren Aronofsky's upcoming film. At one point, Austin and Bunny were locked in an intense scene, cruising around in a car ... in another scene, Zoë Kravitz joined Austin in a bar setting.

Lady Gaga was channeling full Harley Quinn vibes ... dripping in wackiness as she strutted out of the after-party for the London premiere of "Joker: Folie à Deux."

Exiting London's Nomad Hotel, the star rocked a bodysuit covered with bleeding faces stitched together, and of course, she paired it with matching stockings and towering baby blue platforms -- because when does Gaga ever do low-key?

Gaga rolled up to the after-party with her fiancé, Michael Polansky in a striped blue and beige dress, quirky checkered tights ... and, another pair of platform heels.