Ariel Winter's mother recently attempted to leak nude photos of Ariel's sister Shanelle Gray through a Hollywood publicist -- this according to the publicist himself, who could end up playing a critical role in the battle for custody of Ariel.
Jonathan Hay tells TMZ ... Chrystal Workman -- the "Modern Family" star's mother -- contacted him this week, and said she had nude photos of Shanelle she wanted to secretly release to the public.
TMZ broke the story ... a judge awarded Shanelle guardianship of 14-year-old Ariel in October after allegations Chrystal was emotionally and physically abusing Ariel.
Hay claims Chrystal hounded him all week about leaking the pics -- which he says are 8 or 9 years old -- but he refused because he felt like Chrystal was trying to "sell out her daughter" ... and he wanted to help Ariel.
Hay says he's already been contacted by a member of Ariel's legal team -- but adds at this point it's unclear how much of a role, if any, he will play in the case.
Hay says he would have no problem filing a declaration in support of Ariel -- but says he has not been asked to do so yet.
Ariel's case will be back in court on December 10.
Will Ferrell threw on his finest Ireland soccer jersey and hit up an art show in Miami Beach today -- sportin' some facial hair that begs the question ... IS THAT MUSTACHE FOR "ANCHORMAN 2?"
Ferrell was hangin' out at something called Art Basel -- which hails itself as a "premier art show for modern and contemporary works."
Owen Wilson and Diddy were also spotted at the event ... sans mustaches.
With a functioning bathroom just feet away, "Savages" star Emile Hirsch relieved himself outside a West Hollywood nightclub last night ... surrounded by strangers ... directly onto an innocent cactus.
AND HIS FACE IS PRICELESS.
Hirsch was outside Bootsy Bellows nightclub on the famous Sunset Strip -- along with his trusty red Solo cup -- when nature called ... and clearly ... the guy didn't feel like waiting in line to use the club's restroom. (It happens to the best of us.)
We're told the cactus is refusing to press charges.
Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman are actively trying to save their marriage ... so says Danny.
DeVito revealed the status of his 30-year marriage at an event in L.A. this week -- after "Extra" correspondent Jerry Penacoli asked how he was adjusting to life as a single man.
"It's not something you adjust to," DeVito said ... adding, "Rhea and I are really close. Actually, still together, just separate, but together.”
When asked if there was a chance of a reconciliation, Danny revealed, "We're working on it."
DeVito and Perlman separated back in October ... but appeared at an airport together a few weeks ago ... the first sign that their marriage still has a chance.
Angus T. Jones calling "Two and a Half Men" a load of "filth" is a drop in the bucket compared to Charlie Sheen's epic meltdown -- according to CBS CEO Les Moonves ... who also called out Angus over his FAT paycheck.
Plus, Derek Jeter is NOT fat and out of shape -- at least that's what he (and Charles) want you to believe after a new photo surfaces of the Yankees superstar.
And, 'Crazy' Tony from 'Honey Boo Boo' calls in to explain he was NOT drunk during his gorilla suit arrest -- and to demand cops return his suit ... 'cause if they don't ... well, you gotta hear what he's got planned.
Andrew Luck has the better record ... Robert Griffin III has the flash ... but when it comes to the NFL Rookie of the Year award, it's like "Highlander" ... there can be only one.
So, who deserves it? We ran into Indianapolis Colts superstar Dwight Freeney on the streets of NYC yesterday ... and though you might expect him to lean a certain way, he told us, "Both of those guys ... too much talent ... those guys have too much talent."
Of course, he also noted that Luck is "Amazing" ... duh.
Susan Luckey – who famously played the role of Mayor Shinn's daughter Zaneeta in the 1962 classic “The Music Man” – passed away at her L.A. home early Thursday morning at the age of 74 … this according to her daughter Shayna Reynolds.
Reynolds tells TMZ that her mother – real name Suzanne Douglas -- hadn't been suffering from any long-term illness ... explaining that her death was "just old age."
We're told Susan didn’t want a traditional funeral -- instead, her body was cremated and the remains placed in a "decorative box" where other family members have been laid to rest.
Besides her role in "The Music Man," Luckey starred alongside Shirley Jones in the 1956 film “Carousel” … and was one of the Native Americans in the original Broadway production of “Peter Pan.”
The verdict is in as far as cops are concerned ... Gabriel Aubry was clearly the instigator of the Thanksgiving Day brawl at Halle Berry's house
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... detectives are now clear on what they believe happened -- Gabriel committed two batteries on Olivier Martinez before Olivier lifted a finger to defend himself.
As TMZ first reported, as Gabriel deposited Nahla at Halle's house Olivier walked out and said, "We have to talk."
Based on interviewing the principles and witnesses, detectives have concluded Gabriel then pushed Olivier (battery #1) and swung at his face, making contact with his shoulder (battery #2).
Cops say at that point, Olivier responded in self defense with 3 quick punches to the face.
What's more, law enforcement sources tell us they are "concerned" about what they believe are "Gabriel's ongoing anger issues."
As one law enforcement source put it, "It seems he's still having a hard time getting over his break up with Halle."
But here's the good news for Gabriel -- we've learned Halle and Olivier have both told detectives and prosecutors they do not want Gabriel charged with a crime because they do not believe it would be in Nahla's best interests.
Law enforcement sources tell us the case will be set for an informal hearing at the city attorney's office. The likely outcome is that Gabriel will agree to take anger management classes, although the the hearing officer could decide to just drop the entire matter after hearing both sides.
Famed jazz pianist Dave Brubeck -- the man behind the famous song "Take Five" -- has died.
Brubeck's manager said the music icon passed away in Connecticut this morning due to heart failure, while on his way to a cardiology appointment. He was 91.
His birthday is tomorrow.
Brubeck was a living legend -- having written several jazz staples like "In Your Own Sweet Way," "Blue Rondo à la Turk," and "The Duke." The Dave Brubeck quartet recorded "Take Five" all the way back in 1959.
In 1954, Brubeck was the first modern jazz musician to be featured on the cover of Time magazine.
Brubeck is survived by his wife, four sons, a daughter, grandsons and a great granddaughter.
Billy Bob Thornton tells TMZ ... he'd be "more than happy" to attend Angelina Jolie's wedding (whenever she and Brad Pitt decide to tie the knot) ... if he's actually invited.
Several reports have surfaced that Angie already made the decision to invite her ex-husband to the eventual Jolie-Pitt wedding-palooza. But when we spoke to Billy at the Sunset Marquis last night, it was clear he hasn't received an official invite ... yet.
Pap: "I hear that Brad and Angie invited you to their wedding ... are you gonna go, do you think? BBT: "I don't go out of town much ... but yeah, you never know, I'd be happy to ... I'd be more than happy to, absolutely."
So what would BBT get for the couple that has it all? Check out the footage and see what Billy thinks would be the "easiest" wedding gift he could give to his ex.
Jovan Belcher's mother frantically called 911 moments after the Kansas City Chiefs football player shot his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins multiple times Saturday morning ... pleading with the operator to send help ASAP while Jovan's newborn baby cried hysterically in the background.
During the call, Jovan's mother told the operator "Oh my God. Oh my God, Cassie ... The baby is crying ... get the ambulance here please!"
She continued "She is still breathing but barely. Please hurry. I don't know how many times he shot her. They were arguing."
The 911 operator asked if Kasandra was bleeding -- Belcher's mother replied, "Yes she is."
Kasandra was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
As for Belcher, he drove to the Kansas City Chiefs football facility at Arrowhead Stadium and shot himself in the head in front of team staff.
The baby is now in the custody of Belcher's mother.
Former soap actor Scott Evans -- younger brother of Chris Evans -- got busted for attempting to buy drugs off an undercover cop ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell us Evans was arrested Tuesday evening when he tried to score narcotics from an LAPD officer posing as a dealer.
Evans -- who played Officer Oliver Fish on "One Life to Live" a few years back -- was booked at 6:15PM for attempt to possess a controlled substance ... a felony. He bailed out around 12:30AM.
It's unclear what drug Evans was trying to buy.
Evans reacted to the bust with a Facebook post early this morning: "Most ridiculous night of my life in LA so far. At least I made it a year before getting arrested."
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NOTE: Poll results are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those users who chose to participate. Poll results are not reflected in real time.
Angus T. Jones calling "Two and a Half Men" a load of "filth" is a drop in the bucket compared to Charlie Sheen's epic meltdown -- according to CBS CEO Les Moonves ... who also called out Angus over his FAT paycheck.Plus, Derek Jeter is NOT fat and out of shape -- at least…