A BELOVED FRIENDOprah paid tribute to Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison by reading some of her literature and sharing a great anecdote about their first meeting.
Toni's celebration of life was held Thursday at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan. Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Jesmyn Ward -- along with Oprah -- stepped up to the pulpit to honor their friend.
Oprah talked about the first time she met Toni -- during a gathering in Maya Angelou's backyard, of all places -- and called it "One of the great thrills of my life." That's despite the fact Oprah admitted saying something a little embarrassing to the celebrated author -- watch the clip, the story got big laughs.
Gallery Toni's Celebration Of Life Launch Gallery TMZ.comTo close out her time, Oprah recited a passage from Toni's 1977 work "Song of Solomon" ... and, again, the audience burst into applause.
Toni died in August of complications from pneumonia while surrounded by her loved ones.
Toni was perhaps best known for her 1987 best-seller, "Beloved." She was a renowned figure in literature for her novels that spoke to the African-American experience. "Beloved," "Jazz" and "Paradise" made up a loose trilogy -- with the first book being adapted into the 1998 film starring Oprah and Danny Glover.
Toni was 88.
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Robin Williams Northern Cal Home Hits the Market ... Bayside Livin' for $7 Mil
11/21/2019 10:13 AM PT
Gallery The Bay Area Home Launch Gallery Homes.comRobin Williams' former crib along the San Francisco Bay is up for grabs ... and the view alone might make it go quickly.
The late funny man's single-story Mediterranean home in Northern California -- located in Paradise Cay -- is a nearly 6,500-square-foot palace with walls of windows in the living room and kitchen to ensure you never lose sight of the gorgeous bay.
The house features a wood-paneled library/den, an office and 6 beds and 6.5 baths. Outside, there's a gorgeous stone patio with a pool and spa.
Williams -- who first started doing stand-up comedy in the San Fran area in the mid-1970s -- bought the property in 2008 for just over $4 million. Following his suicide in 2014, the home was transferred to a trust tied to his widow, Susan.
It's on the market now for $7.25 mil.
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Jake Burton Carpenter Burton Snowboards Founder Dies ... After Cancer Battle
11/21/2019 9:53 AM PT
GettyJake Burton Carpenter -- the founder of Burton Snowboards and a pioneer of the sport -- has died after another bout with cancer, the company announced. He was 65.
Carpenter built his very first snowboard in a barn in Vermont in 1977 ... and things exploded from there. The sport became massive and now you can't go to a mountain anywhere in the world without seeing people shredding on a Burton board.
The news of Carpernter's death was revealed to Burton employees in an email on Thursday ... with co-CEO John Lacy saying, "It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news that Jake passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his family and loved ones as a result of complications from recurring cancer."
"He was our founder, the soul of snowboarding, the one who gave us the sport we all love so much."
Lacy added, "This all happened very sudden, and it’s a tremendous loss for his family, his friends and all of you. We will share more details about plans to celebrate Jake’s life soon."
Carpenter had battled testicular cancer in 2011 -- but on Nov. 9 he told the company the cancer had come back.
"It’s the same tumor as the first time around," Carpenter said at the time ... "We just never got rid of it all. A bit of it hung out in my lymph nodes and got back into business."
Carpenter added, "As much as I dread what is facing me, it’s easier to deal with when you know that you have a family that will carry on. I feel the same way about my company, my friends and our sport."
He noted the company was in "good hands, which is an amazing feeling when entering this zone of uncertainty."
Carpenter is survived by his wife and 3 sons.
RIP
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Dog the Bounty Hunter Nope, He's Not Dead ... Look, 'I'm Alive!'
11/20/2019 7:48 AM PT
Dog the Bounty Hunter wants it known -- he's NOT dead like the Internet might have you believe ... and we got our hands on a good old-fashioned "proof of life" photo to back it up.
The reality TV star took this hilarious photo of himself Tuesday holding a handmade "I'm Alive!" sign in one hand and that day's Denver Post to prove he is, in fact, still with us. We're told this was in response to a fake death story that was going around on Facebook.
Tons of fans were flooding Dog's social media with condolences and "RIP" posts, and our sources say Dog's team even reached out to him to make sure he was all good.
We're told Dog was on his way to a workout when his phone started blowing up and he first heard about the hoax -- which claimed he'd died because his grief over his late wife, Beth Chapman, caused a flare-up of his recent heart problems.
Again ... NOT TRUE!!! Dog is doing well and nowhere near the grave. Shout out to Prez Trump, but THIS is actual fake news.
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Jeffrey Epstein's Death 2 Prison Guards Plead Not Guilty ... to Falsifying Records
11/19/2019 1:50 PM PT
Getty UPDATE1:48 PM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the 2 guards have pled not guilty to falsifying records on the night in question. They were released on $100k bail.
Two of the prison guards who were on watch when Jeffrey Epstein hanged himself in his cell are now facing prison time, themselves, thanks to their arrest on a federal indictment.
According to new legal docs ... Tova Noel and Michael Thomas are both facing charges of falsifying the logs of exactly when they performed checks on Epstein's jail cell.
The feds claim Noel and Thomas were 2 of the guards on duty on August 10 from 12 AM to 8 AM, and during their watch, they were supposed to conduct 5 scheduled checks on Epstein.
The 2 guards allegedly completed slips stating they made those checks, but the feds say not a single one was actually carried through. According to the indictment, Noel and Thomas were at their desks in the common area using computers ... just 15 feet from Epstein's cell. BTW, they weren't doing work either ... the feds allege they were shopping for furniture and hunting down motorcycle deals and sports news.
The feds claim for a period of approximately 2 hours, the guards were sitting at their desks "without moving, and appeared to have been asleep."
Epstein was found dead at 6:33 AM alone in his cell with a noose around his neck ... according to the indictment. Both guards allegedly fessed up to a supervisor that they skipped their checks.
As we reported ... Epstein had attempted suicide a couple weeks prior in July, which is why he was placed in a special housing unit requiring extra supervision.
Thomas and Noel are now each facing one count of conspiracy to falsify records. That carried a max sentence of 5 years in prison. Additionally, Noel is charged with 5 counts of falsifying records while Thomas only got 3. Each of those also carries a max sentence of 5 years
Epstein's death was ruled a suicide by hanging according to the autopsy, but as we've reported ... his team has not ruled out a cover-up, and at least one forensic expert claims the autopsy is missing DNA evidence.
Originally Published -- 8:38 AM PT
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Olympic Legend Harrison Dilliard Dead at 96 Smashed Records After Serving In WW2
11/19/2019 6:03 AM PT
GettyU.S. Olympic legend Harrison Dillard -- whom General Patton once called "the best goddamn athlete I’ve ever seen" -- has died at 96.
Dillard was an absolute BEAST of an athlete -- winning 4 Olympic gold medals and smashing more than 11 world and Olympic records during his illustrious career, according to the NY Times.
In fact, Dillard was the "World's Fastest Man" in 1948 after winning the 100-meter dash at the Olympics ... and became "World's Fastest Hurdler" at the 1952 Games.
Dillard is also a military veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 32 months during World War II and after dominating at an Army track meet, Gen. Patton called him, "The best goddamn athlete I've ever seen."
He later worked as a running coach for the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees.
Dillard is a two-time Hall of Famer ... he was elected to the National Track and Field H.O.F. in 1974 and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in '83.
Dillard passed away on Friday after battling stomach cancer.
RIP
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Diddy Drowns His Sorrows On Heels of Kim Porter's Death Anniversary
11/18/2019 6:50 AM PT
FIADiddy had the bubbly overflowing this past weekend ... but it wasn't a Sunday Funday on the heels of his ex's death anniversary.
Diddy and his crew hit up BBCM on Sunset Blvd. in WeHo on Sunday and guzzled mimosas. It looks like he had a variety of flavors ... evidence the near-empty flutes on his table. He looked somber.
The mimosa fest came just 2 days after the 1-year anniversary of the death of his ex, Kim Porter. He paid a touching tribute to her over the weekend, saying, "I MISS YOU SOOOOOO MUCH. Every time I get sad I look at this video and it brings a smile to my face."
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Santa Clarita Shooter Dad Took Family on Hunting Trips ... Posed with Kills
11/15/2019 11:33 AM PT
Gallery Mark Berhow Hunting Photos Launch Gallery TMZ.com UPDATE5:08 PM PT -- The L.A. County Sheriff's Department announced Nathaniel died Friday from injuries sustained by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The father of the 16-year-old who killed two of his classmates in a terrorizing school shooting was an avid hunter who had no problem posing with his kills.
We've obtained photos of shooter Nathaniel Berhow's dad, Mark, on various hunting and shooting excursions. While most of the photos are pretty standard -- two of them are particularly disturbing -- one of Mark posing with a dead goose and another that shows him holding what appears to be the heart of a freshly killed animal.
Mark died in 2017, and his obituary read, "An avid sportsman, he loved big game hunting and fishing of all kinds."
TMZ.comIn another photo, Mark poses with his family, including Nathan, during an apparent hunting trip. A former childhood friend of Nathaniel told KTLA Mark used to make his own bullets.
On Friday, cops announced they'd recovered several firearms at Nathan's home, six of which were registered to Mark. The origin of the gun used in the attack remains unclear.
As we reported, Nathan opened fire at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, CA Thursday, killing two students. Berhow allegedly turned the gun on himself, but is still in custody and being treated at a local hospital.
FOX 11Berhow acted alone, using a .45 semi-automatic pistol.
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Detroit Lions Honoring Charles Rogers ... At Sunday's Game
11/14/2019 7:57 AM PT
GettyThe Detroit Lions tells TMZ Sports ... the team will honor WR Charles Rogers at Sunday's home game after the WR tragically passed away earlier this week.
"At some point during the game we’ll take a moment to recognize Charles Rogers’ passing similar to how we’ve acknowledged other recently deceased Legends," a team rep tells us.
The Lions are set to play the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field.
As we previously reported, Rogers died on Monday after battling liver disease and cancer. He was only 38.
Rogers was selected by the Lions with the #2 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft after dominating defenses at Michigan State.
Rogers flashed enormous potential during his rookie season but broke his clavicle during Week 6, ending his season.
He returned in 2004 -- but suffered ANOTHER broken clavicle on the 3rd play of the season.
Rogers was never able to return to form after that and was out of the league by 2006. But, he's still considered a legend by many in the state of Michigan.
After his passing, the Lions issued a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Charles Rogers."
"From Saginaw, to East Lansing, to Detroit, Charles' connection to the state of Michigan and its football community was felt by many during the course of his life."
NBA superstar Draymond Green -- who's also from Saginaw, Michigan -- praised Rogers as a local hero and said CrR was one of his idols growing up.
RIP
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Snoop Dogg's Pal Rapper Bad Azz Dies in Jail at 43 ... No Foul Play Suspected
11/13/2019 6:12 AM PT
UPDATE6:08 AM PT -- 11/13 -- Cops say guards were conducting a security check when they noticed Bad Azz in need of medical assistance. Medical staff attempted to perform lifesaving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
UPDATELaw enforcement sources say there are no signs of foul play, and their investigation remains ongoing. The cause of death will be determined by the coroner.
Rapper Bad Azz -- one of Snoop Dogg's close friends in the game -- has died in jail.
Bad Azz appears to have passed away Monday while being held in custody at a detention center in Riverside, CA on a domestic violence charge. It's unclear how he may have died, but the guy was picked up Friday and had an upcoming court date Tuesday.
His bail was set at just $10,000, and based on jail records ... it doesn't look he'd bailed out.
The west coast MC was an affiliate of Snoop's, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Warren G, Nate Dogg and others associated with Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta Crips based out of Long Beach.
He'd collaborated with all of those guys, plus Tupac (when he was alive) as well as MC Eiht, Mistah F.A.B., Bizzy Bone, The Lady of Rage, Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes and others. He put out four solo albums and was featured on at least 2 collaborative albums.
His DPGC buddies posted tons of tributes on social media -- seeming to confirm his death -- including an Instagram post by Snoop who wrote ... "Damn 😥. R. I. P. To my young. D. P. G. L. L. G. L. B. C. Crew original @badazzlbc gone 2 soon."
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
View this post on InstagramOne of his most famous tracks was "Wrong Idea," which featured SD. He had well over 70 features credited to his name over the years, dating back to the mid-90s.
Bad Azz was 43.
RIP
Originally Published -- 11/12 6:25 AM PT
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John Witherspoon Suffered from Coronary Artery Disease ... Acc. to Death Certificate
11/12/2019 8:30 AM PT
Document read the death certificate Launch Doc John Witherspoon was dealing with several heart-related ailments when he suffered his fatal heart attack ... according to his death certificate.
TMZ obtained the document which says the beloved actor was battling coronary artery disease. It also says he had hypertension, although that's not listed as a direct cause of the heart attack ... but it certainly didn't help his ability to survive it.
As we reported, John died Oct. 29 at his home in Sherman Oaks, CA. The death certificate lists his time of death as 5:30 PM.
We obtained dispatch audio from John's death ... and you can hear the dispatcher request rescue for an unconscious man, saying he's under cardiac arrest and CPR was in progress.
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DISPATCH AUDIOIt wasn't long before the dispatcher said the man had died and cancels the rescue.
His family announced the sudden passing saying, "It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away."
The statement went on, "He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you 'POPS' always & forever."
John, of course, was a legendary comic and actor who had TONS of TV and movie credits to his name. Most notably ... John played Willie Jones, father of Ice Cube's character, Craig, in all of the "Friday" movies." He was also simply Pops on "The Wayans Bros."
He was 77.
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Charles Rogers Ex-Teammates, Friends Rallied Around Him ... In Final Days
11/11/2019 3:29 PM PT
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IT'S HARD TO BELIEVECharles Rogers' condition deteriorated so rapidly, scrambling ex-teammates and friends couldn't travel fast enough to get to the ex-NFL player in Florida before he died.
We spoke with CR's former Michigan State teammate, Chris Baker, who says he learned Rogers was sick through a recently formed group chat consisting of several players from their MSU football team.
Baker says Rogers had "disappeared off the radar" in recent years -- so getting info about him was tough. But, once he learned the WR was ill, the group did everything they could to offer support and resources.
In fact, Baker says he was planning on visiting Rogers on Tuesday because he didn't realize Charles' condition was as dire as it was.
"I knew he was in trouble, I didn't realize he was in this much trouble."
Rogers passed away Monday morning. Baker says he has intentionally tried NOT to seek out information about Rogers' condition -- but reports say he had been suffering from cancer and liver failure.
Baker and his teammates -- along with Charles' family -- are clearly devastated by the loss. When we spoke with Baker, he remembered Charles as a great athlete and a good dude.
Rogers is survived by his 8 children. He was only 38.
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Ex-NFL WR Charles Rogers Dead at 38 Reportedly Battled Cancer and Liver Disease
11/11/2019 12:03 PM PT
Getty UPDATE12:03 PM PT -- Warriors superstar Draymond Green -- a native of Saginaw, Michigan like Rogers -- got emotional talking about Charles' death on Monday, saying, "It sucks."
UPDATEGreen -- who also went to Michigan State like Rogers -- says he got close to the former wide receiver over the past four or five years ... and called the guy one of his idols.
UPDATEDraymond Green the death of Charles Rogers: “A lot of people look at Chuck and say, ‘Oh, he never became in the NFL what he wanted to become.’ He from Saginaw, Michigan. He was the #2 pick. He’s a legend.” pic.twitter.com/HSn4dBNqto
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 11, 2019 @anthonyVslater UPDATE"Charles Rogers is a legend to me," Green says.
UPDATEThe Golden State forward added of Rogers' death, "It sucks. It really does. It's tough."
UPDATE8:52 AM PT -- The Detroit Lions issued a statement ... saying, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Charles Rogers."
UPDATE"From Saginaw, to East Lansing, to Detroit, Charles' connection to the state of Michigan and its football community was felt by many during the course of his life. We extend our heartfelt and condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time."
UPDATE7:33 AM PT -- Rogers had been diagnosed with liver disease and cancer and was awaiting a liver transplant before he died, his former high school coaches told MLive.com.
UPDATE"He had cancer, whether that was related to his liver I don’t know,” Rogers' ex-Saginaw High basketball coach Marshall Thomas said.
UPDATE"They had given him 30 days to live if he didn’t get a liver transplant."
UPDATERogers' high school football coach Don Durrett added, "I called his mom at the hospital over the weekend and got a chance to talk to Charles ... He said he was going to the Lord."
UPDATE7:21 AM PT -- New info in the death of Charles Rogers -- we're told the ex-NFL player had suffered a medical issue recently and was being treated at a medical facility last week.
UPDATEStill not clear on the details surrounding Rogers' condition but we're told Charles' mother was helping out with his care.
UPDATEOne person close to Rogers tells us they had spoken with him as recently as this weekend and told us they believed Rogers was "in good spirits."
Charles Rogers -- the #2 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft -- has died, TMZ Sports has confirmed. He was only 38.
The details surrounding Rogers' death are unclear. We're working on it.
One of the people confirming his death is former Michigan State teammate Chris Baker.
"Devastated to learn of the passing of my spartan brother Charles Rodgers," Baker said.
"Spoke with his mom this morning. Please pray for her and his children. Please also be respectful of their privacy at this difficult time. Rip Chuck."
Rogers was selected by the Detroit Lions and flashed huge potential -- catching 22 passes for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns during his first 5 games of the '03 season. But, he suffered a broken clavicle, which ended his rookie campaign.
Gallery Remembering Rogers On The Lions Launch Gallery GettyThe following season, he broke his clavicle again -- on just the 3rd play of the '04 season.
He was cut by the Lions in 2006, essentially ending his NFL career.
After his football career ended, Rogers admitted he had struggled with substance abuse -- including an addiction to Vicodin. He had been arrested multiple times for alcohol-related issues.
Rogers -- who reportedly signed a $40 mil rookie contract with the Lions -- is survived by 8 children.
Rogers was a legend at MSU -- where he earned 1st-team All-American honors during his 2002 junior season, when he posted 68 catches for 1,351 yards and 13 TDs.
Story developing ...
Originally Published -- 5:57 AM PT
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Laurel Griggs Dead At 13 ... Massive Asthma Attack
11/10/2019 11:24 AM PT
UPDATE11:12 AM PT -- 13-year-old actress Laurel Griggs appears to have died from an asthma attack, according to purported members of her family who posted about it on Facebook.
UPDATEDavid Rivlin, who claims to be Laurel's grandfather, said she suffered a "massive asthma attack" that ultimately took her life. He wrote, "It’s with heavy heart that I have to share some very sad news. My beautiful and talented granddaughter, Laurel Griggs, has passed away suddenly from a massive asthma attack." He added, "Mount Sinai was valiant in trying to save her but now she’s with the angels."
UPDATEWaiting for your permission to load the Facebook Post.
UPDATEDavid went on to say that a celebration of life ceremony was set to take place Sunday -- this following a funeral service that happened just last Friday. The Rivlin family says they will be holding a small, intimate shiva -- a Jewish mourning period -- at Laurel's aunt's home.
UPDATEOne last thing -- David says that Laurel's school -- the public Clinton School in NYC -- closed last week for half a day in Laurel's honor ... something he said he didn't believe had ever happened in the city before.
Laurel Griggs, a 13-year-old actress on the rise with credits that include 'SNL' and a Tony Award-winning Broadway play, is dead.
The cause of death is unknown and something of a mystery. She died on November 5 but the death didn't surface until this weekend. No cause of death was revealed.
Laurel made her Broadway debut in 2013 at age 6 as Polly in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" opposite Scarlett Johansson. She's best known for her role in "Once" ... which she performed for 17 months between 2013 and 2015. "Once" also won a Tony.
Laurel made appearances on 2 episodes of 'SNL' and also on Amazon's "Cafe Society" alongside Steve Carell.
Actress Eliza Holland Madore, who played Ivanka in "Once" expressed her heartbreak ... "I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of one of my Ivanka sisters. Laurel - you were always smiling and always made other people laugh,”
Madore went on ... “I’m so incredibly grateful that I got to know you. You will never be forgotten, and we will never stop loving you. Everybody in the Once Family is going to keep you alive through us. R.I.P. My heart goes to her family.”
Laurel was 13. RIP.
Originally Published -- 11:24 AM PT
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Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker Frantic 911 Call Strangers Rushed To Try To Save Boxer's Life
11/10/2019 12:40 AM PT
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"THERE'S A LOT OF BLOOD"Complete strangers did everything they possibly could to try to save Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker's life after the ex-boxing champ was struck by a car ... and the frantic scene was all caught on 911 audio.
The 55-year-old was tragically hit by a vehicle while he was crossing a busy street in Virginia Beach on July 14 ... and in 911 recording of the incident, obtained by TMZ Sports, you can hear a woman rallying pedestrians to try to help Whitaker.
The woman says she didn't know Whitaker -- but saw he desperately needed help and vowed to do everything in her power to try and save him.
In the audio, you can hear the woman describe the dire scene, saying, "He is on the ground right now ... I'm not sure if he is alive."
But, when dispatch asks the woman if she's willing to administer CPR ... she doesn't think twice -- and tries to get others at the scene to help her.
Gallery Remembering Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker Launch Gallery Getty"He's not alive. Okay, we have to roll him over," she says in the recording. "I want to do it!"
You can hear in the audio ... the woman and others try to get Whitaker on his back -- but the scene the woman paints is grisly.
"Oh, there's a lot of blood!" she says, while another man in the audio adds, "There's a whole bunch of f**king blood!"
Even still, the woman presses forward, saying, "Okay, let's do it. Come on! Let's just try it! If there's any way we can help him!"
Despite heroic efforts, the pedestrians were unable to save Whitaker ... and after emergency medical officials arrived, they pronounced the former boxer dead at the scene.
The tragedy hit the boxing world deeply, with Floyd Mayweather paying tribute to Pernell on social media saying, "R I P champ, one of the best fighters to ever do it."
Whitaker was a beast in the ring -- he won world titles at 4 different weights and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Rip Taylor Died from Heart Failure ... Ashes Scattered at Sea
11/10/2019 12:30 AM PT
Document Read the death certificate Launch Doc GettyRip Taylor put a lot of heart into his comedic gags for decades, but ultimately heart troubles did him in ... according to his death certificate.
TMZ's obtained the document, which lists Taylor's immediate cause of death as congestive heart failure. It also lists heart disease as an underlying cause.
As we reported ... Rip passed away last month in Beverly Hills. The certificate says he died at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
We've also learned the famous comedian's ashes were to be scattered at sea off the coast of Honolulu ... no word if any confetti was involved.
Dubbed the "King of Camp and Confetti" and "The Crying Comedian," Rip will be remembered for his flamboyant style and appearance, countless appearances on talk shows and his brief stint hosting "The $1.98 Beauty Show."
He also guest-starred in flicks like "Wayne's World 2," "Indecent Proposal," "Tom & Jerry: The Movie," "Chatterbox!" and "Jackass 3D" ... and was a successful voice actor.
Taylor was 84.
RIP, Rip.
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