Bruce Springsteen canceled a concert in Kansas City tonight after his cousin, Lenny Sullivan, was found dead in his hotel room -- a source close to the band tells TMZ.
Springsteen announced the death on his official website, saying it was a "death in the family."
We're told Sullivan worked for Springsteen for 10 years as an assistant tour manager.
Cops and paramedics responded to the hotel where Bruce and the band were staying at around 4:15 PM. Sullivan was found dead in the hotel and circumstances are currently under investigation.
UPDATE: Bruce updated his website with this statement: "Lenny Sullivan, Bruce's cousin and the assistant road manager of the E Street Band for the last ten years, passed away today at the age of 36. A warm and sensitive person, he was beloved by Bruce, the Band, the crew, and the entire Thrill Hill family."
There is an investigation under way into the mysterious death of an actor who starred in multiple Lady Gaga music videos -- a 5-year-old Great Dane named Rumpus.
Rumpus, who was featured in the videos for Poker Face, Love Game and Paparazzi, was found dead earlier this month after a hike in Los Angeles. But Rumpus' owner, Suzzane Kelleher-Duckett, tells TMZ the champion show dog had no signs of injury and appeared to be in perfect health.
An autopsy was performed a few days ago -- results are expected soon.
Rumpus was supposed to appear in Gaga's upcoming video for "Bad Romance" -- but we're told only Rumpus' mother Lava (pictured left) will now do the gig.
Stephen Gately, part of the Irish boy band Boyzone, was found dead while on vacation in Spain. He was 33.
The circumstances of his death are still unclear -- the band released a statement that simply said he "tragically died."
Boyzone was one of the biggest acts in Ireland in the 1990s. The band had announced a comeback tour last year.
Gately became something of a gay icon in the U.K. after he announced he was gay 10 years ago. He married his partner Andrew Cowles (Elton John introduced them) in a civil union in 2006.
Ajile Turner, the cousin of rapper Common, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Brooklyn last night.
Sources tell us it happened on the corner of Greene Ave. and Washington Ave. We're told cops responded to a call involving a motorcyclist colliding with a guy on a bicycle -- Turner was on the motorcycle. Both men were taken to Brooklyn Hospital and both were pronounced dead on arrival.
We're told there is no criminality suspected in the incident.
DJ JS-1, a long-time friend of Turner, confirmed his passing and told us, "He was one of the greatest friends anyone could have, he was a pure, honest, good person, hard worker who traveled the world and lived a great life. We all love him and are going to miss him very much."
Turner was founder and CEO of the Echelon Group, an independent concert production company in NYC.
Alexis Cohen, a former "American Idol" contestant was found dead early this morning in Allentown, PA.
The 25-year-old, known as "Glitter Girl" auditioned for "Idol" in January 2008 and returned for a second time in 2009 but never received a golden ticket.
Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office tells TMZ Cohen's body was found in the street by two pedestrians who then contacted local police. As of now, there is no apparent cause of death. An autopsy is scheduled for this afternoon. Cohen's death was first reported by APP.com.
Legendary CBS broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite has died.
Cronkite was known as "the most trusted man in America" -- legendary for delivering the news of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963 and the lunar landing in 1969.
Three weeks ago Cronkite's family revealed he had been suffering for years with cerebrovascular disease and was not expected to recuperate.
Cronkite was the anchor of the CBS network news from 1962 to 1981. He was known for signing off by saying, "And that's the way it is."
Cronkite died at home in New York at 7:42 PM -- he was 92.
The famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has proudly made appearances at funerals of past members of the Mayer family -- but don't expect to see it at Oscar's.
A rep for Oscar Mayer told us Mr. Mayer -- the grandson of the original Oscar Mayer -- requested the Wienermobile not make an appearance because "it would be too much of a spectacle." Mayer's wishes were for a small private funeral.
Steve McNair -- an NFL QB with the Tennesse Titans and Baltimore Ravens -- was found dead Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., according to Nashville police.
McNair suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in downtown Nashville. A female victim was also found dead. Police have not released the name of the female, only to say it is not McNair's wife, Mechelle.
The call to police came in at 1:35 PM. The circumstances surrounding the shooting deaths remain under active investigation.
There were no signs of forced entry at the crime scene. No suspects have been taken into custody.
Don Aaron, a spokesman for the Nashville Metro PD, told News Channel 5 in Tennessee, "When police officers arrived in response to that call, they found two individuals who had been shot to death inside the residence: one female, one male. We now know that the male deceased is Steve McNair. The female deceased has been tentatively identified. We're working to confirm that and then notify her next of kin."
McNair was a three-time Pro Bowler and was the NFL MVP in 2003. He retired in 2007.
Titans owner K.S. "Bud" Adams Jr. released this statement: "We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair's passing today. He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with his untimely passing."
UPDATE -- A Nashville police spokesman identified the woman as Sahel Kazemi, a "friend" of McNair's. A pistol was found near her body. She suffered a single gunshot wound to the head, police say, and McNair "was shot multiple times."
TMZ has confirmed TV pitchman Billy Mays was found dead today in his home in Tampa, Florida early this morning.
According to the Tampa PD, the 50-year-old TV pitchman was found unresponsive by his wife Deborah at 7:45 AM.
TMZ has learned Mays' body has already been removed from his home.
Mays had just returned from Philadelphia, where he shot a new OxiClean commercial. He was a passenger aboard a plane that suffered a blown front tire upon landing. He told a local TV station, "All of a sudden as we hit you know it was just the hardest hit, all the things from the ceiling started dropping. It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head."
We're told Mays was at his home around 6:00 PM last night, and according to a source Mays was "acting fine and normal ... he was talking business with his father-in-law."
According to cops, there are no signs of forced entry to the residence and no foul play is suspected. Billy's wife Deborah told investigators Billy wasn't feeling well last night.
The Medical Examiner's office is expected to complete the autopsy by tomorrow afternoon. Billy was due to have his third hip replacement surgery on Monday. UPDATE: Deborah just released the following statement: "Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days. Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times."
A rep for the Discovery Channel -- which airs Billy's show "Pitchmen" -- released this statement, "Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth. Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend."
We've learned Farrah Fawcett died at 9:28 AM today. Ryan O'Neal and Alana Stewart were at her bedside. She was 62.
She died at St. John's hospital in Santa Monica in the ICU. Also present -- Farrah's longtime friend and hairdresser, Mila Murphy, and Dr. Piero, who has been caring for her.
Farrah's only child, Redmond, was not present. He's currently in jail. A petition will have to be filed for Redmond to be able to attend the funeral -- as of now, this hasn't happened.
The "Charlie's Angels" star was diagnosed with anal cancer back in 2006.
UPDATE: We've learned Ryan and Farrah did not marry during her final days. Alana Stewart, who has known Farrah for 30 years, said "she will always be there as that angel on the shoulder of everyone who loved her."
Ryan O'Neal just released the following: "After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away. Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."
Harvey Levin You're not the only one who thinks T.O. isn't doing that well this season... http://su.pr/5bNNfP
Lisa Loeb RT @The_Shack @lisaloeb4real In August, what do you think? wow! I got an e-mail from "Radio Shack"!!!I'm old-school, & like the old name.
Jesse Jane Made breakfast for all the boys here now hopping in shower got to finish packing and get the boys to the game but I have to leave at half
Lisa Loeb RT @davidlong764 ha! I listen to it every morning, but I don't think NPR was the"Radio" they had in mind when they called it "Radio Shack"
Tila Tequila RT: @carpexnoctem13 You're going to even delete your MySpace? That was a big part of your claim to fame.thats crazy<=wrong. I help them blow
Bruce Springsteen canceled a concert in Kansas City tonight after his cousin, Lenny Sullivan, was found dead in his hotel room -- a source close to the band tells TMZ.
Stephen Gately, part of the Irish boy band Boyzone, was found dead while on vacation in Spain. He was 33. 
Ajile Turner, the cousin of rapper Common, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Brooklyn last night. 
Patrick Swayze died today after a long battle with cancer. He was 57.
John Hughes has died of a heart attack.
Legendary CBS broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite has died.
Steve McNair -- an NFL QB with the Tennesse Titans and Baltimore Ravens -- was found dead Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., according to Nashville police.
TMZ has confirmed TV pitchman Billy Mays was found dead today in his home in Tampa, Florida early this morning.
We've learned Farrah Fawcett died at 9:28 AM today. Ryan O'Neal and Alana Stewart were at her bedside. She was 62.
