L.A. Wildfires Former Child Actor Among the Dead ... Mom Shares Devastating Final Moments

A former child actor is among the victims killed in the massive Los Angeles wildfires ... with his mother saying she could not save him in time.

Rory Callum Sykes -- who appeared in the 90s UK show "Kiddy Kapers" -- was killed at his family’s Malibu home on Wednesday, his his mother, Shelley Sykes, announced in an emotional social media post.

The British-born Australian actor -- born blind with cerebral palsy -- had his own cottage on the family's 17-acre Mount Malibu TV Studio estate, which burned down in the fire, per his mother.

Allison Holker Daughter Defends NDA ... No Pics at tWitch's Funeral!!!

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about the NDAs...

Allison Holker's daughter is shedding some light on the NDA people going to Stephen "tWitch" Boss' funeral had to sign ... and, she claims it wasn't meant to stop people from talking about the late star.

Weslie Fowler -- Holker's 16-year-old daughter from a previous relationship -- took to Instagram Live Friday and talked for 30 minutes about her mom and tWitch.

One of the big topics she confronted ... Weslie explained why an NDA at tWtich's funeral was necessary -- saying it's not about preventing people from talking about the star, but instead it was in an effort to keep people from photographing the body.

Jennifer Garner I Have Survivor's Guilt ... My House is Still Standing, Unlike My Friends

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Feeling Guilty
MSNBC

Jennifer Garner is like an untold number of L.A. residents who live in the fire zones and feel guilty they were spared when so many of their friends and neighbors were not.

Garner, standing in front of burned-down structures in the Pacific Palisades, told MSNBC alongside chef José Andrés, "I did lose a friend and for our church, it’s really tender ... so I don’t feel like I should talk about her yet. But yeah, I did lose a friend who did not get out in time."

She went on to say she could write out a list of 100 friends who lost everything in the fire, adding, "I feel almost guilty walking through my house. What can I do? How can I help? What can I offer? What do I have to offer with these hands and these walls and the safety that I have?"

Sam Moore 'Soul Man' Singer Dead at 89

Hold on God, Sam Moore is coming -- the famed singer, who was half of the legendary soul duo Sam & Dave, has died.

Sam's rep says the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer passed away Friday morning in Coral Gables, FL after suffering post-surgery complications -- although, the rep did not say what kind of surgery Sam had undergone or when.

Sam & Dave -- with singer Dave Prater -- formed in the 60s and dropped a string of iconic hits, including "Soul Man," "Hold On I'm Coming" and "I Thank You." From the start, Sam had quite the pedigree in the music biz.

'Ernest' Actor Bill Byrge Dead at 86

Bill Byrge, best known for his roles in the beloved "Ernest" movies, has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

The actor’s cousin, Sharon Chapman, tells TMZ that Bill passed away at his Nashville home yesterday at 86. The cause of his death remains unknown.

Sharon first shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook ... honoring him as a beautiful soul who made people laugh without even trying.

tWitch 'Misleading' Drug Claims, Mom Says ... We Will Defend His Legacy!!!

tWitch's mother is committed to defending her son's legacy ... declaring recent claims about her late son are totally bogus -- becoming the latest family member to call out his widow, Allison Holker.

Connie Boss Alexander posted a statement to Instagram Thursday morning ... writing the family is completely appalled by the "misleading and hurtful claims" floating around about her son.

Alexander explains she can't let these accusations go unanswered ... adding she refuses to sit idly by while her son's legacy is tarnished.

President Carter's Funeral Trump, Obama, Biden & Bush ... Reunited & It Feels So Awkward!!!

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DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT...
CNN

President Jimmy Carter's missing out on some serious drama -- his funeral created a mini soap opera between President-elect Donald Trump, all his White House predecessors ... and his former VP Mike Pence.

You could feel the tension in the air as Trump strode into the National Cathedral Thursday morning in Washington, DC, because one of the first people he came face to face with was Pence -- ya know, the guy Trump's supporters targeted in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

The former running mates kept it classy ... looking each other in the eyes, shaking hands and keeping it moving.

Frank Wycheck Late Titans Great Diagnosed With CTE

The family of late Tennessee Titans great Frank Wycheck announced the former tight end tested positive for Stage III Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) ... in hopes the diagnosis will raise awareness on the dangers of brain damage in contact sports.

The Wychecks released a statement on the findings on Tuesday ... saying it teamed up with Boston University's CTE Center to analyze the 52-year-old's body after his death in Dec. 2023.

The family wishes for an "improved commitment to player safety and enhancing support for those who may be affected by the consequences of head injuries."

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss' Widow I Had To Reveal His Alleged Drug Use ... Stop Attacking Me!!!

tWitch's widow Allison Holker says she has a good reason for blabbing to the media about his alleged drug problem ... she says she's just trying to help others.

Allison defended herself Thursday amid a barrage of online attacks from her late husband's friends and family, who are all pissed off about her recent media interviews and upcoming memoir ... where she touches on his alleged drug use leading up to his suicide.

In a long social media post, Allison says ... "I hope that by sharing our full story maybe I can help someone else who might see themselves or a loved one in Stephen."

Ex-MLB Pitcher Brian Matusz Dead At 37

Former MLB pitcher Brian Matusz has tragically died at 37 years old.

Matusz's team, the Baltimore Orioles, announced the heartbreaking news late Tuesday evening ... though a cause of death was not revealed.

"Brian's family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time," the team wrote.

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Fam, Friends Going After Widow ... Ugly Feud Erupts Online

Allison Holker going on a media blitz to promote her upcoming memoir is sparking a family feud ... with relatives and friends of the late Stephen "tWitch" Boss going after his widow for labeling him a drug user.

The infighting is playing out right now on social media in the wake of Allison's new interview with People ... and tons of dirty laundry is being aired online.

Courtney Ann Platt, who was friends with tWitch and Allison, fired the first shot Tuesday ... with a long rant on Instagram blasting Allison for telling the media she allegedly found a stash of drugs in tWitch's shoeboxes before his funeral.

Johnny Gaudreau Alleged Killer Pleads Not Guilty In Court

The man accused of killing NHL superstar Johnny Gaudreau and his little brother last year just pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against him.

Sean Higgins issued the pleas in a New Jersey court room at a post-indictment arraignment on Tuesday morning ... turning down an offer from prosecutors that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence.

The case will now move toward a trial -- although Higgins is due back in court for additional proceedings in February.

Dave Portnoy Mourns Barstool Employee's Death

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy just revealed one of his employees has passed away at just 32 years old after a battle with cancer ... sharing a heartfelt tribute to Jonathan Stanko.

Portnoy issued his condolences on Tuesday ... saying Stanko was beloved during his time at the outlet's New York offices for nearly four years, which he admitted was "very rare at Barstool."

"It's the 1st time we've had to deal with something this heavy in the 20 years of Barstool," Portnoy said on social media. "A cruel reminder not to take a day for granted because tomorrow isn’t promised to anybody. #stankostrong."

Peter, Paul and Mary Peter Yarrow Dead at 86

Peter, Paul and Mary singer Peter Yarrow is dead after a long battle with cancer ... TMZ has confirmed.

Peter died Tuesday at his home on Manhattan's Upper West Side ... according to his publicist, Ken Sunshine, who tells us Peter's cause of death was bladder cancer.

We're told Peter was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, and battled the disease until his death.

Meredith Vieira Husband Richard Cohen Dead at 76 ... After 50-Year MS Battle

Richard Cohen, Meredith Vieira's husband of 38 years, has died following a decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis.

The "Today" show, where Meredith served as co-anchor between 2006 and 2011, announced Richard's passing Tuesday morning ... confirming Richard -- a fellow newsman -- had died on Christmas Eve while surrounded by his family.

"Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie said Meredith is "in really good spirits" ... with Hoda Kotb also revealing the family was happy to get an extra month with Richard when the family became very concerned about his health at Thanksgiving.

'Catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein Body To Be Cremated

Late New York socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein, often referred to in the media as "Catwoman" due to her surgically enhanced cat-like features, is going to be cremated ... and her remains are going overseas.

Jocelyn's fiancé, Lloyd Klein, tells TMZ ... she will be remembered in a small and private funeral in Paris and after she's cremated her ashes will be taken to her ranch in Kenya.

We're told Jocelyn's final resting place will be near family ... her father is buried at the same African ranch, and her mother's ashes are there as well.

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Jocelyn's fiancé says she loved Kenya ... so it's fitting that's where her ashes are going to wind up.