RIP

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.

The Menendez brothers' savage shotgun slaying of their parents in 1989 left a gruesome mark on their family home’s living room -- a chilling scene that's still haunting more than 30 years later.

The lavish Beverly Hills mansion is getting a facelift by its new owners ... and a construction worker's recent TikTok takes viewers inside the freshly gutted room where Jose and Kitty Menendez were murdered.

The TikTok shows the eerie family room stripped down to its bones, with only the wooden shelf frame and draped curtains still standing, plus some orange markings and a torn up wall where the TV once was.

Tragedy hit the shores of the Hotel Riu Cancun today when a man was shot dead on the sands of the luxury resort beach ... TMZ has learned.

An eyewitness tells TMZ ... a violent scene unfolded when 2 gunmen on foot and 2 gunmen on Jet Skis approached a man in front of the 5-star Mexican hotel ... and shot him multiple times.

There's currently no word on the victim's identity or why he was shot, but it's suspected this was a cartel hit.

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.

John Amos' daughter Shannon is grieving alongside fans following the death of the "Good Times" actor ... revealing she too just learned her famous dad passed away.

The medicinal healer, who John welcomed with ex-wife Noel Mickelson, issued a statement after word of the actor's passing broke Tuesday ... claiming she and her family learned about his death more than a month after it occurred.

Alongside a video of herself smiling and laughing with John, Shannon wrote she was "without words" upon the "heartbreaking" discovery that her dad had died on Aug. 21.

One of Pete Rose's closest friends and former teammates could tell the Hit King wasn't his usual playful and talkative self the day before he passed ... with Tony Perez explaining members of the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds didn't fully enjoy their last experience together.

The Hall of Famer joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs on FS1) to discuss his final meet-up with Rose ... a signing session at the Music City Autograph Show with Fiterman Sports Group featuring Rose, Perez, Dave Concepcion, George Foster and Ken Griffey Sr.

The former first baseman admitted it "wasn't a good time" because Rose was "not himself" ... and the guys didn't take part in their usual banter during the show, a far cry from how things were when they were last together about six months ago.

Donald Trump sent a message loud and clear to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the day after Pete Rose died ... urging the org. to put the ex-Reds star in "now," "before his funeral!"

The former prez issued the demand during J.D. Vance's debate with Tim Walz on Tuesday night ... taking a brief break from watching his running mate to heap some serious praise on the baseball legend.

"The GREAT Pete Rose just died," he said. "He was one of the most magnificent baseball players ever to play the game. He paid the price! Major League Baseball should have allowed him into the Hall of Fame many years ago."

Diddy is assembling a legal dream team, Britney Spears is recalling a near accident and Pete Rose is being remembered ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles explain why Diddy is beefing up his legal team in an effort to get out of jail.

Rich Homie Quan died from a toxic mix of several different drugs, including fentanyl ... TMZ has learned.

According to the Fulton County Medical Examiner in Georgia, the late rapper died from the combined effects of fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine and promethazine ... and his death is being ruled an accident.

The Medical Examiner's report, obtained by TMZ, also notes Rich Homie Quan showed no signs of trauma when his body was found dead and examined.

MLB legend Pete Rose died from heart disease ... officials announced Tuesday.

According to the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner in Nevada ... the official cause of death for Rose was determined as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Rose had also been battling diabetes mellitus, officials added.

12:09 PM PT -- A rep for Frank Fritz tells TMZ … he died from the effects of a stroke he had several years ago -- and he had Crohn’s disease for decades, which may have played a role.

Frank was in a Quad Cities hospice facility (on the Iowa-Illinois border) and was surrounded by friends, including Mike Wolfe, when he passed.

"American Pickers" star Frank Fritz has died ... his longtime costar and friend, Mike Wolfe, confirmed.

Fritz's costar posted on social media Tuesday, sharing the tragic news with fans ... confirming the reality TV veteran died Monday evening.

He wrote ... "It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night. I’ve [known] Frank for more then half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself."

Raven-Symoné is heartbroken over the death of her dad, Christopher B. Pearman ... taking to IG to share a touching tribute in his memory.

The actress posted a sweet throwback photo of herself as a little girl in her dad's arms, alongside an unidentified woman ... writing in the caption Tuesday, "My life has been long and abundant. And the path I'm on started with a dream. Hope he is watching with a smile on his face…"

The former child star wrapped up her tribute with a hashtag of her dad's name, and added a dove emoji to symbolize peace and love.

John Amos, who led "Good Times" as patriarch James Evans, has died ... his son Kelly Christopher Amos announced.

Per John's son, the Emmy-nominated actor died of natural causes in Los Angeles back on Aug. 21.

He continued ... "It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned. He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor."

Shelby Daniele -- the college track and field star who died suddenly at 23 years old last month -- passed away from a brain aneurysm ... her close friend's dad said.

Brian Brandenburg -- whose daughter, Eva, committed to Cal Poly this year in large part because of Shelby -- revealed the sad news in an emotional post on his Facebook page.

"The young lady that was the driving force in Eva's decision to run Track at Cal Poly, Shelby Daniele, passed away last night of a brain aneurism (sic)," he wrote. "Completely heartbreaking."

Ken Page, a veteran voice actor and Broadway star, has died ... TMZ has learned.

Ken's rep, Lance Kirkland, tells TMZ ... the 'Nightmare Before Christmas' actor passed away "very peacefully" in his home in St. Louis Monday. We're told Ken sat down in his chair and passed away in his sleep.

Kirkland continues ... "He was a beautiful, talented man who was larger than life. Ken was loved and adored by so many and will be missed so much."

An escaped rhino in India went full beast mode ... charging at a biker and leaving him dead in a terrifying rampage.

The whole wild scene was caught on camera -- the massive rhino casually gets free from the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Morigaon district Sunday, spots a man on a motor-bike identified as Saddam Hussain (different spelling, weird coincidence) rolling up, and charges straight for him.

It's a pretty distressing sight ... Hussain hops off his bike and makes a desperate dash into an open field, trying to escape this hefty beast -- but he didn’t stand a chance.