RIP

Sad news from the TikTok world ... Joe Mack Roy, known as "Pop" from Pop Watch, has died from complications from a mass in his throat, TMZ has learned.

His grandson Jason broke the tragic news on IG ... saying Joe passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday night with his family by his side.

Jason reflected on his Pop's legacy to TMZ ... telling us Joe -- who gained social media fame with his no-nonsense wisdom and humor -- had a huge impact on his fans.

Sphen, a famous gay penguin in Sydney, has died ... and, his partner penguin paid his respects in a heartbreaking way.

The Australian gentoo penguin died of natural causes after living a full life, the aquarium where he resided revealed Thursday.

Sphen's partner Magic was taken to see Sphen so he could process his death ... and, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium explained in their statement Magic started singing once he saw his partner's body -- and other members of the aquarium's colony joined in.

John Legend's performance of a Prince classic at the Democratic National Convention didn't exactly have everyone going crazy, as some fans think it was an "insult" to have him play the song.

TMZ broke the story that John would be taking the stage at the United Center in Chicago Wednesday night -- but what we didn't know is he'd be singing "Let's Go Crazy" alongside longtime Prince collaborator Sheila E.

Truth is John sounded like ... well, John Legend -- who's an EGOT-winning success. Still, the soul singer doesn't sound like Prince, so some folks think he was the wrong choice to play the upbeat anthem ... right before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took the stage to accept the nomination for Vice President.

Fitness guru Richard Simmons' falls while at home contributed to his death ... something the coroner reportedly shared with Richard's brother.

Lenny Simmons says he got a call from the L.A. County Medical Examiner's Office, and they told him, "Richard's death was accidental due to complications from falls and heart disease as a contributing factor" ... according to Simmons family spokesperson Tom Estey.

TMZ confirmed the info with Estey -- lining up with the story we broke last month about Richard's final days. As we reported, he fell in his bathroom the evening of his 76th birthday, and when his housekeeper came to help him up .. he refused medical care.

Tony McFarr -- a stuntman who served as a double for big Hollywood stars like Chris Pratt -- died from a heart issue likely brought on by acute alcohol poisoning from prolonged heavy drinking.

In new documents, obtained by TMZ, the Orange County Medical Examiner in Florida officially declared Tony's death the result of an irregular heartbeat due to an issue with his heart valves.

The ME says contributing factors in Tony's death include alcohol poisoning and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ... also known as COPD, a common lung disease that restricts airflow and causes breathing problems.

Adult-film actress Sophia Leone died from a fatal overdose ... TMZ has learned.

Police in Albuquerque, NM tell us the late porn star's official cause and manner of death is an accidental OD ... though it's unclear what specific substances were involved.

As we first reported ... cops in New Mexico considered Sophia's death "suspicious" and "unique" after she was found dead March 1 in her home.

Brooke Mueller had the support of her rarely-seen-in-public twins, Bob and Max ... who helped ring in her birthday just days after her connection to Matthew Perry's ketamine investigation surfaced.

Charlie Sheen's ex-wife and their 15-year-old sons came together for a pic to celebrate her 47th birthday bash at her mother Moira Fiore and stepfather Jon Fiore's Beverly Hills home Saturday.

Brooke was in full-on doting mama mode ... talking about how grateful she was for her kids, according to the Daily Mail.

Two of the 4 men arrested in the slaying of "General Hospital" star Johnny Wactor have been slapped with murder charges.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the charges Monday ... while 4 men have been charged with multiple felonies in connection with Wactor's death, only 2 were hit with murder counts.

Prosecutors say 18-year-olds Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada are both charged with Wactor's murder.

Severe flooding in Connecticut turned peaceful country roads into a disaster scene when at least a foot of water pounded down Sunday night.

The rainfall was much more than your everyday summer storm, as residents in Connecticut and parts of New York were trapped in cars, restaurants and homes, forcing multiple rescue attempts by first-responders.

Watch the vid ... local firefighters in Oxford, Connecticut executed a daring rescue, pulling patrons trapped inside a restaurant to safety after gushing water flooded the building.

Motorbiker Louis O'Regan has tragically passed away after he crashed while trying to qualify for a famed race in the Isle of Man.

Manx Grand Prix organizers said in a statement on Monday morning that O'Regan was riding his MV Agusta F3 on Sunday in the race's qualifying round when he wrecked.

Further details surrounding the incident were not made immediately available.

Taylor Swift seemingly went out of her way to give 2 young victims of the Southport stabbing an "Enchanted" evening ... taking time away from her "Eras" tour to meet with them.

The pop star and her mother, Andrea Swift, appeared to have a meet and greet with the young victims while in London for her 5 sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium.

Both Taylor and her mother scooped the young girls up in hugs, and posed for several photos backstage ... where one fan notably had a bandage on her arm with the singer's lyric, "You drew stars around my scars," written on top.

Phil Donahue, the longtime host of "The Phil Donahue Show," has died ... his family confirmed.

The media personality's death was announced on the "Today" show early Monday morning, where a statement was shared from Donahue's loved ones -- including wife of over 40 years, Marlo Thomas -- who were by his side when he passed away Sunday evening following a long illness. No further details were shared into his cause of death.

Donahue, who hosted his eponymous talk show for 29 years, was known as a trailblazing TV journalist ... as he pioneered the daytime TV format we now know.

Johnny Wactor’s coworker -- who was with him the night he was murdered -- is overcome with emotion about his alleged killers getting arrested, but says the actor's family won’t find peace until the suspects receive the maximum punishment.

Anita Joy told TMZ she felt a mix of joy and relief knowing 3 people have been arrested and booked on murder charges -- but adds, the real justice will be seeing these guys get serious convictions.

Johnny's friend says she’s feeling optimistic about that happening, because all the suspects have been held on high bail amounts. She was initially worried the suspects would not be tried as adults -- based on what she saw the night of the murder, she thought they were possibly underage.

John Aprea, one of the stars of "The Godfather Part II" and "Full House," is dead of natural causes ... TMZ has learned.

His manager Will Levine tells us ... the actor passed away on August 7, at his home in Los Angeles, with family members by his side.

John called his role as young Salvatore Tessio his greatest career achievement. He had originally auditioned to be Michael Corleone in the OG 'Godfather,' which of course went to Al Pacino. But, Francis Ford Coppola called back Aprea for the 1974 sequel.

The two physicians charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death not only still have their medical licenses, but they can still -- SHOCKINGLY -- prescribe medication to any of their patients, TMZ has learned.

Last week, Dr. Mark Chavez and Dr. Salvador Plasencia were charged with illegally conspiring to supply ketamine to the late "Friends" star.

TMZ then broke the story ... the California State Medical Board launched an investigation into both doctors, but kept their medical licenses active without disciplining them.

YouTube star and British influencer Luke Goodwin is dead after battling a rare cancer.

Luke died peacefully at home on August 2, with his family by his side ... his wife, Beckey, announced in a YouTube video.

Known for his popular YouTube channel, "I Will Not Be Defeated," Luke was diagnosed in August 2022 with Stage 4 Leiomyosarcoma ... a rare type of cancer the Mayo Clinic says begins in smooth muscle tissue and then spreads into normal body tissue.