Ricki Lake's marriage is ending after just two and a half years -- she's filed docs to divorce her estranged husband Christian Evans, and wants out so badly ... she doesn't mind paying him to go.
According to the docs filed on October 16th ... Ricki cites irreconcilable differences, and says they legally separated on Oct. 9.
In the docs, she checked the box requesting to pay Evans spousal support ... which we don't see too often in Hollywood divorces -- then again, he's a jewelry designer. Translation: she's the breadwinner.
There are reports that they have a prenup agreement, and the docs do mention a written agreement to handle divvying up their property.
This is Ricki's second divorce. She split from Rob Sussman in 2004.
Chris Brown
I Settled 2 Assault Cases
For Chump Change
9 minutes ago BY TMZ STAFF
Chris Brown is a little lighter today ... he just lost more than a $100K but in return got rid of 2 pesky lawsuits.
Sources connected to Chris tell TMZ ... the guy who Chris punched in Washington D.C. a year ago just settled his civil lawsuit against Chris. We're told the singer anted up around $100,000.
You'll recall ... Chris dodged a major bullet with the help of his lawyer Mark Geragos by striking a plea deal in the criminal case. He avoided probation, jail and fines by pleading guilty to simple assault.
As for the second case ... TMZ broke the story Chris got into an insane fight at a West Hollywood recording studio in January with Frank Ocean's posse. Frank's cousin sued Chris for $3 million. We've learned the case just settled for UNDER $20K.
It's handled.
NeNe Leakes
Blood Clots Torpedo 'Housewives' Trip
19 minutes ago BY TMZ STAFF
NeNe Leakes had to make a choice, which was ultimately simple -- "Real Housewives" or her life.
Our NeNe sources tell us ... she just canceled a flight to the Philippines for a RHOA shoot because of her recurring problem with blood clots that form around her lungs ... the same condition that landed her in the hospital last November.
Flying long distances is potentially fatal for people with a propensity to develop blood clots ... and the 20-hour flight from Atlanta to the Philippines was just too risky.
The rest of the cast is already there. She's still part of the cast, but won't be on this particular episode.
Too bad ... the only other person in the Philippines with that kind of heat is Imelda Marcos ... and she's way old ... fact is, we thought she was dead.
Jose Canseco
Cops Investigate Shooting
... No Foul Play
10/29/2014 11:13 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
Police have investigated the Jose Canseco shooting -- and have determined there was nothing nefarious going down when the ex-MLB star discharged his gun yesterday and blew off his finger.
TMZ Sports broke the story ... Canseco had claimed he accidentally fired his handgun inside his Las Vegas home while attempting to clean the weapon.
The bullet ripped through his middle finger ... and he was rushed to the hospital where doctors tried to save the digit.
Now, we've learned the Las Vegas Metro Police Department went to Canseco's home to see if there was any foul play involved with the shooting ... and ultimately determined there was no crime -- it was all just an unfortunate accident.
As for the status of Jose's hand -- he just posted pic of it in a cast saying, "Got no sleep. Hope I can keep my finger but grateful it wasn't something worse..."
Val Kilmer
I Lost My Small Claims Case
But Still Got Money!
29 minutes ago BY TMZ STAFF
Val Kilmer just learned a hard lesson about being a tenant ... because a judge just socked him hard for making what the actor felt were "improvements" on his Malibu rental.
As we reported ... Kilmer sued his landlord, claiming he made drastic improvements on the crib by painting the fireplace and slapping wallpaper on the wooden cabinets in the kitchen.
Problem is ... the lease required the landlord's prior approval, and Val didn't get it.
When Kilmer moved out, the landlord returned only around $16K of the $23,500 security deposit ... withholding around $7,400 for undoing Val's handiwork.
The judge just laid down the law ... saying the landlord was indeed allowed to withhold money but he got greedy. The judge allowed the landlord to keep a little more than $5K but return $2,210.
So note to Val: Get your landlord's approval before doing it again ... and don't wallpaper over wooden cabinets -- it's gross.
TALL MAN IN
"PHANTASM"
'MEMBA HIM?!
39 minutes ago BY TMZ STAFF
Angus Scrimm is best known for playing the strong and silent mortician named Tall Man -- opposite A. Michael Baldwin -- in the 1979 horror classic "Phantasm." Guess what he looks like now!
In other news...
Kate Gosselin Looks Absolutely Nothing Like This Anymore
Kate Gosselin has gone and totally switched up her entire look. See what she looks like now with super LONG hair!
SEE MORE »James Cameron
Terrorizing Malibu ...
With Front Yard Horror Show!
49 minutes ago BY TMZ STAFF
James Cameron's known for sinking millions into big budget action films or sinking ships -- but now he's jumping into the horror game with a sick Halloween display ... worthy of his Malibu mansion.
No 'Avatar' blue creatures, or 'Alien' monsters -- instead Mr. Terminator went with more traditional macabre scenes. But check out the gallery ... his ghouls, ghosts, and cemetery will put most to shame.
Sadly, JC passed on paying homage to the first feature film he ever directed -- the 1981 cult classic "Piranha II: The Spawning."
C'mon, James ... flying piranhas in Malibu would've been awesome.
Katt Williams & Suge Knight
Arrested for Stealing Camera
From Female Pap
10/29/2014 3:45 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
Suge Knight and Katt Williams got busted today for allegedly snatching a camera from a female photographer in Beverly Hills.
The alleged incident went down back on Sept. 5 outside a studio ... according to the L.A. County D.A.
Katt was arrested this morning when he showed up in court for an assault case -- and TMZ obtained Suge's mug shot ... taken after he was nabbed in Las Vegas. They were booked for robbery.
Both men have lengthy rap sheets ... and as a result the D.A.'s Office says Suge could face 30 years to life in state prison -- while Williams could be nailed for up to 7 years.
We shot video of the alleged victim talking to cops right after the run-in.
Mama June, Sugar Bear, Honey Boo Boo
United We Stand
10/29/2014 3:04 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
It's a curious pic indeed. Sugar Bear, arm-in-arm with Mama June and Honey Boo Boo.
The pic was taken Wednesday in Milledgeville, GA. It's obvious ... they wanted to be photographed, and June looks especially happy to see the paparazzi.
For June, it's a big deal that it LOOKS like she has an alliance with Sugar Bear, who has been extremely upset that she's been dating convicted child molester Mark McDaniel.
As for Sugar Bear ... he's walking a tightrope. He has no plans to fight June for custody, because his life isn't stable enough to care for Honey Boo Boo. He doesn't even have his own place to live.
Given that he's not fighting for custody ... Sugar Bear needs June because she controls access to their daughter.
Bringing a child molester into your life can really complicate things.
In other news...
'Duck Dynasty' Star Jessica Robertson Goes Makeup Free
"Duck Dynasty" star Jessica Robertson took a makeup-free selfie with hubby Jep and posted for all of Twitter to see.
Do you even recognize her?
Bruce Jenner
Nails in the Clear
10/29/2014 2:00 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
Bruce Jenner showed his true colors in Malibu Wednesday.
Bruce 86'd the fire engine red nail polish he sported just a day earlier. It's unclear why ... the polish looked professional and usually lasts a lot longer than a day.
Maybe it was part of a Halloween costume. Or maybe he just wanted it for a day. Lots of maybes.
TMZ Live
Honey Boo Boo
Authorities Powerless to Protect the Kids
10/28/2014 9:45 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
In other news...
How Does Nicole Murphy Have THIS Bikini Body?!
Nicole Murphy is pushing 50 and she had all those kids but yet she manages to show up to the beach flaunting THIS kind of bikini body?!?!
SEE MORE »'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta'
Producers Take Sides
FIRE 2 Castmates
10/29/2014 1:30 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
Benzino and fiancee Althea Eaton think "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" should air on Animal Planet ... because they think producers are making them scapegoats.
Production sources tell us the couple was given the boot Wednesday AM ... with no explanation.
Benzino says it's obvious he and Althea are being blamed for the fight between them and castmates Joseline Hernandez and Stevie J ... a brawl that proved irresistible for other cast members.
TMZ broke the story ... Althea sued Joseline, claiming she started the fight while she was high on crack.
Although Althea got her ass whooped ... producers sided with Joseline, even though other castmates felt Joseline should have gotten the boot.
VH1 wouldn't comment, but it's pretty obvious. Joseline's better TV, and that trumps everything.
Sugar Bear
Won't Fight for Custody UNLESS ...
10/29/2014 12:17 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
Sugar Bear will NOT make a play for custody of Honey Boo Boo unless things escalate between Mama June and convicted child molester Mark McDaniel and the child is materially harmed.
Sources connected to Sugar Bear tell TMZ ... as of now he will not fight for custody, and it's not just about June. We're told he does not feel equipped to take custody of the 9-year-old. He doesn't have a place of his own right now -- he's been living with a friend since he and June separated.
It doesn't mean Sugar Bear is not concerned. We're told he stops by June's house daily to check on the kid, but so far he has not sensed anything that has damaged her.
As we reported ... Sugar Bear is not happy that June is back with McDaniel. It was a source of friction in their relationship -- she refused to 86 the pics of the man who molested her older daughter -- and ultimately became a significant reason for the break-up.