Tommy Lazzaro Ex-Central Mich. Star Dead At 27 ... After Hunting Accident

Former Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Tommy Lazzaro has passed away, the school announced Thursday. He was just 27 years old.

Lazzaro -- a Monument, Colorado native -- was involved in a fatal hunting accident this past Sunday in Florida, according to multiple reports.

Lazzaro made 20 career appearances for the Chippewas ... and was part of the team that went 8-6 and made it to the MAC Championship Game against Miami (OH) in 2019. He led the team with two touchdowns in the contest.

'Baby Driver' Actor Hudson Meek Foul Play Not Suspected in Death No Sign of Drugs or Alcohol

Actor Hudson Meek's death is being treated as an accident, and it doesn't appear substances played any role in the fall that took his life ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... no foul play is suspected in Hudson's death -- and, cops are looking into this as an accident.

We're told there were no signs of drugs or alcohol ... and, cops do not believe they played any part in the accident.

Richard Perry Famed Record Producer Dead at 82 ... Dated Jane Fonda For Almost A Decade

Richard Perry -- a music producer who collaborated with some of the biggest stars of the 1970s and '80s -- has passed away ... TMZ has confirmed.

Ben McCarthy -- Perry's personal assistant of nearly three decades -- tells TMZ ... Richard passed away at around 1:30 AM this morning.

We're told Richard fought Parkison's disease ... with Ben saying he saw him for a few hours about a month ago -- and, Richard wasn't able to verbally communicate. That said, Richard was in good spirits during their visit, Ben adds.

Olympian Sophie Hediger Dead At 26 ... Killed In Avalanche

Sophie Hediger -- a Swiss snowboarder who competed in the 2022 Beijing Games -- was tragically killed in an avalanche on Monday. She was just 26 years old.

Switzerland's skiing federation announced the heartbreaking news on Tuesday -- revealing the incident happened at the Arosa resort.

"We are stunned," Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser said in a statement, "and our thoughts are with Sophie's family, to whom we express our deepest condolences."

Tim Dillon Spoofs Brian Thompson in Netflix Special ... Calls People Out For Celebrating Murder

Stand-up comedian Tim Dillon's wading into one of the biggest stories of 2024 ... playing slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a Netflix special.

Here's the deal ... on Friday, Netflix is releasing "Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year" -- a roast taking a flamethrower to some of the biggest news stories from 2024 as we head into 2025.

Of course, arguably the biggest story of the year was the shooting death of Thompson earlier this month ... and sources familiar with the taping tell us that Dillon and Netflix didn't shy away from it.

NICOLE KIDMAN & KEITH URBAN JUST BEACHY DOWN UNDER ... First Family Outing Since Mom's Death

Nicole Kidman is back in her hometown of Sydney for the holiday season, and spending time a the beach with her extended family ... their first public get together since Nicole lost her mother.

The actress and her fam soaked up Sydney’s sunny weather while on the beach with husband, Keith Urban. The power couple was also joined by Nicole's sister Antonia, her husband Craig Marran and their 2 kids.

The family appeared relaxed and cheerful as they enjoy the holiday season together only a few months after Nicole and Antonia's mom died in September.

'Workaholics' Star Waymond Lee Dead at 72 ... After ALS Battle

UPDATE

6:41 p.m. PT -- Adam DeVine, who co-led and co-created "Workaholics," has broken his silence following Waymond Lee's passing ... noting in a new Instagram post that he was "gutted" by the news.

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He added ... "He was such a kind man. My deepest condolences go out to his wife Diane and the rest of his family. He was always down to do whatever insane thing we wrote for him on Workaholics. He was always game. A true professional."

Waymond Lee, an actor best known for appearing in Comedy Central's "Workaholics," has died ... TMZ has learned.

Norine Lee, Waymond's sister, and Waymond’s wife, Diane, tell TMZ ... the actor passed away last week on Wednesday, Dec. 18 following complications from ALS -- a neurological disorder that impacts nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. For those unfamiliar, the disorder is often also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Actor Art Evans Dead at 82 ... Known for 'Die Hard 2' & 'Fright Night'

Art Evans, an actor best known for his roles in "Die Hard 2" and "Fright Night," has died ... according to his reps.

The film and TV actor died while surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, his publicist, Erica Huntzinger, confirmed to Variety. While the outlet did not share a cause of death, Deadline reports the actor's rep shared Art passed away due to a battle with diabetes.

Fans will likely best know Art for his work as Barnes in the 1990 follow-up film to "Die Hard," aptly titled "Die Hard 2." Remember, Art's character assists Bruce Willis' John McClane when all hell breaks loose at Dulles International Airport.

Liam Payne GF Kate Debuts Tattoo Tribute ... 2 Months After Singer's Death

Kate Cassidy is keeping Liam Payne at the top of her mind in the months after his death ... debuting an apparent tattoo tribute to the late One Direction star.

The influencer posted on her Instagram Story Sunday, where she cuddled up to her dog while laying in bed ahead of the holidays. However, it was the new ink on her hand that captured fans' attention ... as she appeared to have a pair of angel wings etched onto her pointer and middle fingers.

Kate made no mention of the tattoo, but did place a single red emoji heart on the image ... indicating she was feeling the love this Christmas season.

Fitness Influencer Miguel Aguilar DEAD at 43 After Shot During L.A. Robbery

A popular fitness influencer who was shot during a robbery in L.A. three months ago has died.

Miguel Angel Aguilar, who has tens of thousands of followers and owns a chain of gyms in So-Cal and several other states, passed away on Saturday.

His team took to IG to announce the tragic death, "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our founder and CEO, Miguel Angel Aguilar. After a courageous three-month battle following the tragic incident that took place on September 13th, 2024, Miguel peacefully passed away on December 21st, 2024 surrounded by his loved ones."

Rickey Henderson MLB Hall of Famer Dead at 65

Baseball's "Man of Steal," Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson is dead after a bout with pneumonia ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us ... Henderson passed away Friday in the Oakland area, and had been getting treatment at a hospital for a brief period.

The MLB legend holds the record for stolen bases, and played left field for 9 teams from 1979 to 2003. Most of those years were spent with the Oakland A’s, where he debuted in the majors, but he also starred with the Yankees, Blue Jays, Mets, Padres and others ... before retiring with the Dodgers.

Wisconsin School Shooting Victim's Family Member Forgives Shooter at Funeral

A family member of teenager Rubi Vergara -- who died in the Wisconsin school shooting earlier this week -- expressed forgiveness for the shooter at Rubi's funeral.

In front of a large crowd, who came to pay their respects to 14-year-old Rubi Saturday, the New York Post reports Vergara's uncle -- Andy Remus -- said the family holds "no bitterness or unforgiveness towards 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow and her family."

Remus says Rupnow's family lost a daughter too ... and, Rupnow -- a "precious child of God" -- simply lost her way before the shooting.

Alfa Anderson Dead at 78 ... Chic Frontwoman, Sang 'Le Freak'

Alfa Anderson -- a major part of the disco band Chic -- has passed away ... this according to one of her former bandmates.

The disco legend passed away earlier this week, according to founder of Chic Nile Rodgers ... who shared several throwback pics of the group together with "RIP Alfa Anderson. CHIC Organization" written on it.

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He adds she is "forever loved" ... and did not include a cause of death in his post.

Roger Nores on Liam Payne Drugs Almost Killed Him Multiple Times ... Long Before Fatal Fall

Liam Payne's drug use had him "close to death" on multiple occasions ... long before his fatal fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina ... at least according to his friend, Roger Nores.

In new legal documents from Argentina, obtained by TMZ, Nores recalls Liam's drug issues ... claiming the late One Direction singer had to be revived two times in as many years.

Nores is charged with abandoning Liam before his fatal fall back in October, and he's defending himself against criminal charges here ... by talking about Liam's drug habit.

Rey Mysterio Uncle Dead At 66 ... Legendary Mexican Wrestler

Rey Misterio Sr. -- legendary wrestler and uncle to WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio -- has passed away at the age of 66, his family announced Friday.

The news was shared by the son of Misterio Sr. -- real name Miguel Ángel López Díaz -- on social media. Details surrounding his death were not immediately made available.

Misterio Sr. was one of the top stars in the Mexican wrestling scene, making his debut in January 1976. He famously came stateside for a matchup at WCW Starrcade back in 1990 -- teaming up with Konnan.

Saafir Cause Of Death ... Septic Shock, Colon Infection

California-bred rap veteran Saafir died in November ... and we've learned it was a complication of health issues.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained the death certificate, which states Saafir died from septic shock and enterocolitis -- an infection of the small intestine.

The doc also lists infected sacral decubitus as a COD, a medical term for an enlarged bedsore caused by too much pressure on the bottom of the spine.