Category: Uncategorized

  • Wiz Khalifa Tried to Fight the Sentence, But Romanian Court Said No — Prison Time Is Back on the Table

    Wiz Khalifa has lost his appeal in Romania after an appellate court upheld a nine-month prison sentence stemming from a cannabis possession case tied to a 2024 music festival appearance.

    The ruling was issued by the Constanța Court of Appeal, which deemed inadmissible the artist’s request to overturn a December decision that found him guilty of possessing dangerous drugs for personal use. Judges also denied as unfounded his motion to suspend the sentence.

    The case stems from a July 2024 appearance at the Beach, Please! Festival in Constanța County.Authorities alleged that the Grammy-nominated rapper, born Cameron Thomaz, smoked cannabisduring his performance. Prosecutors later stated that law enforcement discovered more than 18 grams of cannabis in his possession.

    In April 2024, a lower court fined Wiz 3,600 lei, approximately $830, for illegal possession. Prosecutors appealed that sanction, arguing it was insufficient. In December, the trial court replaced the fine with a custodial sentence of nine months.

    Romanian law criminalizes cannabis possession, including for personal consumption, and provides for penalties ranging from three months to two years’ imprisonment or a criminal fine.

    Following the incident, Wiz addressed the matter on social media. “I didn’t mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up on stage,” he wrote. “They were very respectful and let me go.” He added that he intended to return to Romania “but without a joint next time.”

    It remains unclear whether Romanian authorities will seek extradition.

  • ‘The Wire’ actor dead at 62 after tragic barn fire

    “The Wire” actor Bobby J. Brown has died at age 62.

    The actor died due to smoke inhalation after being caught in a barn fire on Wednesday, his daughter told TMZ Thursday.

    The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed Brown’s cause of death to TMZ, stating that he suffered from smoke inhalation and diffuse thermal injury.

    Bobby J Brown in a purple prison uniform stands in a courtroom, chained at the waist and wrists, flanked by two officers and another man in a suit.
    “The Wire” star Bobby J. Brown, seen here on the show “We Own This City,” has died at age 62.
    Bobby J. Brown and Jon Bernthal posing with clenched fists.
    The actor, pictured here with Jon Bernthal, died due to smoke inhalation after being caught in a barn fire on Wednesday, TMZ reported Thursday.

    The fire was deemed to be an accident caused by a vehicle that the HBO actor jump-started in the barn.

    He called for a family member to bring him a fire extinguisher. However, the barn was engulfed in flames by the time they arrived.

    Brown’s agent, Albert Bramante, also spoke out about his tragic passing, telling TMZ, “I am upset and saddened. He was such a good actor and person. He was totally dedicated to the craft of acting and was a joy to work with.”

    Brown is survived by his son, Bobby Brown II, and daughter.

    Bobby J. Brown and his son with a woman.
    The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner stated that he suffered from smoke inhalation and diffuse thermal injury, per the outlet. Pictured: Bobby J. Brown (far right) and his son, Bobby Brown II.
    Bobby J. Brown and his son posing outdoors in suits.
    The fire started after Brown jump-started his car, his daughter told TMZ. bbrown929/Instagram

    Brown made several guest appearances as Officer Bobby Brown in “The Wire,” which aired from 2002 to 2008.

    His death follows several of his co-stars, including James Ransone, who portrayed Ziggy Sobotka, who died by suicide in December 2025.

    Additionally, Michael K. Williams, who portrayed Omar Little, died in September 2021, followed by Lance Reddick, who played Cedric Daniels, in March 2023.

    Charley Scalies, who played Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa, and Al Brown, who was cast as Col. Stan Valchek, both died in May 2025.

    Brown, meanwhile, had several other notable roles, including the 2008 Albert Bramante-directed film “From Within” and a few special appearances in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

    Bobby J Brown acting on a scene.
    The flames quickly engulfed the barn. (Brown seen here in “We Own This City”).

    Brown’s most recent role was in the 2023 movie “Mailman.”

    According to Brown’s IMDb profile, he was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Pennsylvania.

    Before seeking a career in show business, he was a boxer who competed in amateur competitions and secured five Golden Glove Championships.

    Brown later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and landed a role in “Law & Order: SVU” after graduation.

  • Pete Davidson’s girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt, is ‘grappling with shame’ over polarizing parenting decision

    Elsie Hewitt has felt “inherent guilt” over her decision not to breastfeed her and Pete Davidson’s baby girl, Scottie.

    “When people asked whether I planned to breastfeed, my thought process was layered,” the model shared in an essay for Elle, published Wednesday. “The most important thing to me was doing what is best for my baby. I will always do what is best for her.”

    Hewitt, 29, added that a lot went into her decision, including her “mental health,” “recovery” and “the kind of mother” she wants to be alongside her partner.

    Elsie Hewitt (seen here in an Instagram shot with partner Pete Davidson) i
    Elsie Hewitt (seen here in an Instagram shot with partner Pete Davidson) wrote an essay about her decision not to breastfeed her and the comedian’s baby girl, Scottie. Instagram/@elsie
    Elsie Hewitt, seen here with Pete Davidson on IG, revealed she decided not to breastfeed.
    The model, 29, got candid about the “guilt” she’s felt over her decision in the piece for Elle, published Wednesday.

    “My body is biologically programmed to nourish my baby, and opting out of that can feel like going against something ancient, instinctual and profoundly beautiful,” detailed Hewitt.

    “That guilt doesn’t disappear simply because formula is safe, healthy, and nutritionally complete. I still have to remind myself — and sometimes literally ask to be told — that being mentally and emotionally OK is not separate from being a good mother.”

    Hewitt added that she didn’t feel that the pros of breastfeeding would outweigh the cons, sharing that going the natural route could cause “demand, isolation and exhaustion.”

    “I carried my daughter for over nine months,” she explained. “Once she arrived, I didn’t want to remain her sole lifeline in a way that would further deplete me, hinder my recovery and leave little room for feeding to be shared between my partner and me.”

    Hewitt, pictured with her daughter, said it was a layered decision that took a lot of thought.
    Hewitt (pictured above with her daughter) said it was a layered decision that took a lot of thought.

    The new mom — who welcomed her daughter with Davidson in December 2025 — also noted that she knows her bond with the little one “is sacred and grows through presence, not depletion.”

    To help with her decision, Hewitt told Elle that she was “fortunate” not to have “felt pressure to breastfeed” from the people in her life, including Davidson.

    “My partner didn’t push me in either direction,” she said of the “Saturday Night Live” alum. “My mother, who breastfed my sisters and me and was proud of that, made a point to tell me, simply, that the decision was entirely mine. She never said anything else, and her restraint meant a great deal to me.”

    Hewitt, posing with her newborn above, praised Davidson for not pressuring her to breastfeed.
    Hewitt (posing with Davidson above) praised her other half for not pressuring her to breastfeed. elise/Instagram
    Hewitt, posing with her newborn above, praised Davidson for not pressuring her to breastfeed.
    Hewitt noted that she also had incredible support from her family and medical team. elsie/Instagram

    As Page Six previously reported, Hewitt announced the birth of Scottie last December, alongside a series of photos of her and Davidson, 32, holding the newborn.

    “Our perfect angel girl arrived 12/12/2025,” she gushed at the time.

    The couple named their baby girl Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson in honor of the comedian’s firefighter dad, Scott, who died during the September 11 terrorist attacks.

    The actress first debuted her bump in a July 2025 Instagram post, joking in the caption, “welp now everyone knows we had sex.”

    Hewitt and Davidson announced they were expecting their first child in July, in photos above.
    Hewitt and Davidson announced they were expecting their first child in July 2025. 
    The couple, seen above with their daughter, announced the birth of Scottie in December.
    The couple (seen above with their daughter) announced the birth of Scottie in December 2025. Instagram/@elsie

    Although Scottie is only a few months old, Davidson revealed the couple’s plans for baby No. 2.

    “We want her to have a friend, for sure,” he told Us Weekly in January. “We love the idea of her being a big sister.”

    Hewitt, meanwhile, said she couldn’t believe they would “already [be thinking] about having another one.”

    In January, the pair, seen posing above on IG, said they want another baby.
    In January, the pair (pictured above in a photo shared to Instagram) said they want another baby. elsie/Instagram
    Hewitt, seen with her baby above, said she "can’t explain how incredible the whole thing is."
    Hewitt said at the time that she “can’t explain how incredible the whole [parenting] thing is.”

    “Just having this little thing, I really can’t explain how incredible the whole thing is.”

    She added, “The idea of making another one and making a sibling is something I’ve already been like, ‘I want to do it again.’ They’re so tiny when they come out, and they grow so fast. It’s crazy.”

  • ‘Back to the Future’ star Crispin Glover accused of holding ex ‘captive’ as a ‘sex slave’ in shocking lawsuit

    Crispin Glover has been accused by an alleged ex-girlfriend of holding her captive in his home as a “sex slave” in a bombshell lawsuit. 

    According to court documents obtained by Page Six, the ex, referred to as Jane Doe, claimed she was “held captive” by the “Back to the Future” actor in 2024 and “used for sex and free labor … under false pretenses.”

    “Mr. Glover first lured and manipulated Jane Doe into abandoning her home and belongings in the U.K. for work with him as his assistant in the entertainment industry,” the suit read.

    Crispin Glover as George McFly in Back to the Future.
    Crispin Glover’s ex-girlfriend sued the actor (seen above in 1985) for battery, fraud, wrongful eviction and more. ©MCA/Courtesy Everett Collection
    Crispin Glover in a black suit with a teal tie.
    The woman, who went by Jane Doe, in the court docs claimed she was “held captive” by the “Back to the Future” actor (seen above in LA in 2019) in 2024.

    Glover allegedly “promised” Doe somewhere to live and a job if she relocated from the UK and worked as his assistant in Los Angeles in 2024.

    “But when Ms. Doe took the bait and uprooted herself and moved to Los Angeles, she found herself in a disturbing situation where Mr. Glover wanted to control her actions and track her whereabouts and basically serve him as a live in girlfriend/sex slave,” the documents added.

    Per the complaint, once Doe “made it clear that she was not going to simply go along with Mr Glover’s increasingly bizarre and inappropriate demands,” Glover, 61, allegedly “unlawfully evicted” the woman.

    Crispin Glover of 'Mr. K' poses in a black suit.
    The woman claimed Glover “used [her] for sex and free labor … under false pretenses.” Getty Images for IMDb
    Crispin Glover poses in a black suit in front of a red backdrop with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation logo.
    Glover (seen above at an event in 2019) allegedly “promised” Doe somewhere to live and a job if she relocated from the UK to LA and worked as his assistant.

    Doe states in the court docs that Glover allegedly assaulted her when she tried to re-enter the home to retrieve her belongings and pet cats. 

    The woman claimed the “Alice in Wonderland” star “attacked her, grabbing her neck and choking her in a headlock, leaving a visible wound and scar on her neck.”

    Doe also claimed in the docs that when she tried to enforce her rights, Glover allegedly “made a false police report and fraudulent petition for a restraining order against her.” 

    “Even after battering her and filing false legal actions against her, Mr. Glover continued to harass and sexually pursue Jane Doe,” the lawsuit states.

    Crispin Glover in a black suit with a light blue tie.
    Doe claimed she was “unlawfully evicted” when she “made it clear that she was not going to simply go along with Mr. Glover’s increasingly bizarre and inappropriate demands.” GC Images
    Crispin Glover attends the premiere of "Mr. K" at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
    In the court docs, Doe claimed Glover (seen above at a 2024 red carpet event) allegedly assaulted her when she tried to re-enter the home to retrieve her belongings and pets. Getty Images
    A bruised neck with a tattoo of a lotus flower.
    Doe included a photo of her bruised neck in the court documents.

    A representative for Glover vigorously denied the “baseless” allegations “in the strongest possible terms.”

    “The reality is that on March 2, 2024, Mr. Glover was the victim of an unprovoked felony assault by Jane Doe at his Los Angeles residence. Mr. Glover called LAPD, which came to the scene, investigated, and arrested Jane Doe,” the rep told TMZ in a statement Wednesday.

    “These facts are documented by law enforcement records and by the restraining order filed by Mr. Glover against Jane Doe at that time,” they added.

    Crispin Glover as George McFly in "Back to the Future" from 1985.
    A representative for Glover, seen above in “Back to the Future” in 1985, vigorously denied the “baseless” allegations “in the strongest possible terms.” 

    9“Mr. Glover intends to vigorously defend himself and pursue all available relief,” the rep added.

    The rep concluded, saying, “Mr. Glover intends to vigorously defend himself and pursue all available relief. He is confident the judicial process will expose this lawsuit as a meritless fabrication.”

    Doe is demanding a jury trial to determine special and general damages. She is also requesting that her attorney’s fees be covered as well. 

    Page Six has reached out to Glover’s representatives but did not immediately hear back.

  • Katherine Short, daughter of Martin Short, showed ‘no signs’ she was struggling before her death.

    Martin Short’s daughter Katherine Hartley Short seemingly kept her mental health struggles tight to her chest before her tragic death.

    One of Katherine’s neighbors exclusively told Us Weekly that the comedian’s 42-year-old daughter gave “no indication of struggle” before she died on Monday, February 23. (The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to Us that Katherine’s death was officially ruled a suicide on Wednesday).

    Team USA’s Kyle Connor Addresses Skipping Trump’s State of the UnionStay

    “Depression is often a silent” and “hidden killer,” the neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous but shared they’d lived near Katherine for over 10 years, added.

    “Katherine was a private person but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was quite outgoing,” the neighbor noted, telling Us, they’d sometimes “hear and see her laughing with friends” on her front porch.

    Katherine Short

    “She always said ‘Hi,’” the resident said, while praising Katherine’s gardening and her love of books.

    “She was a voracious reader and could talk deeply about the books she’d read,” they told Us, sharing that Katherine enjoyed nonfiction literature. “She had the nicest, most beautiful orange tree in her front yard. It was the envy of all the neighbors. Somehow the bugs that affected our trees did not land in hers.”

    The neighbor also recalled Katherine being “festive,” decorating the outside of her home in “fun and whimsical ways for holidays.”

    “She proudly hung her Canadian flag yearlong,” they added. (Photos of Katherine’s residence taken by photographers on Tuesday showed a red heart wreath with pink flowers on her front door in honor of Valentine’s Day, the blossoming fruit hanging from her thriving orange tree and the Canadian flag waving above her garage.)

    Others who lived near Katherine remembered her as a “great neighbor and gardener,” with her next-door neighbor exclusively telling Us that her death is “incredibly sad.”

    “She was very nice but this is a quiet neighborhood and to be fair, we don’t see too many neighbors usually out,” a second neighbor said of Katherine, noting she pretty much kept to herself and wasn’t a disturbance to the tight-knit community.

    At least two other neighbors remembered seeing Katherine on her front porch, where she’d always wave and say hi as they walked by.

    A rep for Martin, 75, confirmed Katherine’s death in a statement on Tuesday.

    “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time,” the statement read. “Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”

    Martin’s daughter worked as a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles and did part-time work at a health clinic, aiding in community outreach, support groups and psychotherapy.

    Katherine also reportedly worked with a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the ongoing stigmas about mental health.

    Martin adopted Katherine with his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died in August 2010 after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer. The couple also shared sons Oliver, 39, and Henry, 36, whom they welcomed via adoption.

  • Travis and Jason Kelce Face Backlash for Supporting USA’s Men’s Hockey Team After President Trump Drama

    Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce opened the Wednesday, February 25, episode of their NewHeights podcast with squeals as they both rocked Team USA hockey jerseys.

    “Same jerseyyyy,” Travis, 36, added.

    The brothers quickly broke into a U-S-A chant before rehashing the team’s “epic” win over Canada.

    “The USA is officially the hockey capital of the world,” the official New Heights podcast page captioned the clip.

    However, many New Heights listeners were less than thrilled about the NFL siblings’ support for the team in the aftermath of drama with President Donald Trump.

    ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
    ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

    Shortly after winning gold in Milan, the men’s team was caught laughing as the president, 79, took a dig at the women’s hockey team, who also won gold.

    The comments section of the Kelces’ post was flooded with backlash from “disappointed” fans.

    “Definitely disappointed to see you guys platforming the USA Men’s team after the locker room call,” one follower wrote.

    “Oh dear…. Gentleman. No. Read the room,” another commented.

    A third follower added, “Too bad the men’s hockey team turned out to be a disappointment.”

    “You two had a great opportunity to rise above and set an example for young boys and girls! I’m disappointed,” yet another wrote.

    The Kelce brothers have yet to respond to the backlash.

  • Prince William pushed King Charles and Queen Elizabeth to ‘exile’ Prince Andrew after his disastrous 2019 BBC interview.

    Prince William reportedly urged King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth to “banish” former Prince Andrew after he attempted to defend his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in 2019.

    “William was absolutely adamant after seeing that BBC ‘Newsnight’ interview with his uncle and the disastrous explanations that he gave for being friends with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein,” royal author Russell Myers told Us Weekly.

    “Refusing to apologize for his relationship and refusing to acknowledge the actual trauma of Epstein victims was an absolute red line for William.”

    Prince Andrew, King Charles III, and Prince William attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent's Requiem Mass service.
    Prince William, seen here in September, allegedly urged King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth to “banish” former royal Prince Andrew after his BBC interview in 2019. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth II seated with her son, Prince Charles, and grandson, Prince William, standing behind her.
    Russell Myers, a royal author, told Us Weekly that William, seen here with his father and grandmother, was adamant after seeing the BBC ‘Newsnight’ interview with his uncle and the explanations that he gave for being friends with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

    “He actually said to the late queen and his father [King Charles III], ‘He has to be banished. Andrew has to be rid of both the public and the private royal family,’” the “William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story” author claimed.

    Myers explained that the bombshell news about Andrew’s involvement with Epstein, who died in 2019, and his recent arrest, “has been a stain on the royal family,” including his brother, King Charles, 77.

    The writer explained that if William, 43, were king, then he “would have taken certain measures to have Andrew completely out of the picture.”

    Prince William and King Charles III speak during the Countdown to COP30 at the Natural History Museum.
    “Refusing to apologize for his relationship and refusing to acknowledge the actual trauma of Epstein victims was an absolute red line for William,” Myers said. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
    William, photographed here in 2022, allegedly told the late queen and Charles that Andrew had to be banished. 

    “William understands that his father needs to take the lead on this, and he’s willing to support him in any way he can,” Myers continued.

    Reps for Buckingham Palace weren’t immediately available to Page Six for comment.

    In 2019, the former prince, 66, sat down with the BBC and admitted he had no regrets about his past friendship with Epstein after the latter was convicted of procuring a minor for prostitution.

    “The reason being is that the people I met and the opportunities I was given to learn either by him or because of him were actually very useful.”

    Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, younger brother of Britainâs King Charles, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaves Aylsham Police Station
    Additionally, Myers shared that Andrew’s arrest last week “has been a stain on the royal family.” REUTERS
    Prince Andrew in military uniform leaves Westminster Abbey.
    Andrew, photographed here in 2023, claimed he had no regrets about his friendship with Epstein during a BBC interview in 2019. 

    Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles and duties due to his ties with Epstein last year, shared that the late pedophile’s New York City mansion “was a convenient place to stay.”


    Additionally, the former Duke of York denied meeting the late Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claimed to be trafficked by Epstein when she was 17, despite being photographed with her.

    “Nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has been doctored, but I don’t recollect that photograph ever being taken,” he said.

    Andrew, however, settled a sexual abuse lawsuitfiled by Giuffre for $12 million in 2022, two years before she died.

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor driving a car.
    “The reason being is that the people I met and the opportunities I was given to learn either by him or because of him were actually very useful,” he said at the time. 

    The disgraced royal was arrested on Feb. 19, his 66th birthday, and accused of sharing confidential travel information with Epstein during his time in the UK trade envoy, which he served in from 2001 to 2011.

    Police are also investigating allegations that Epstein trafficked a woman to the UK for Andrew’s sexual purposes. 

    If found guilty, he can face up to life in prison.

  • Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine, dead by apparent suicide at 42

    Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine, died on Monday by an apparent suicide. She was 42.

    “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” a rep for the “Only Murders in the Building” star confirmed to Page Six Tuesday.

    “The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”

    Martin Short and Katherine Elizabeth Short smiling at an event.
    Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine (photographed above in 2011), died Monday at the age of 42. FilmMagic
    Martin Short smiling and holding hands with Katherine Short on a red carpet.
    “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” a rep for the actor told Page Six. 

    The social worker was reportedly found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her Hollywood Hills, Calif., home on Monday around 6 p.m. local time, per TMZ.

    “At 6:41 p.m., we responded to a reported shooting at that address,” the Los Angeles Fire Department told Page Six, confirming they received a call to 911.

    “Death was reported of a female.”

    Martin Short and daughter Katherine Marcia pose together.
    The statement read that Short (seen here in 2006) was “devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time.” WireImage
    Martin Short and Katherine Short at Bette Midler's "HULAWEEN" Gala.
    “Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world,” the rep continued.

    Katherine was the adopted daughter of the actor, 75, and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died from cancer in 2010.

    Short and Dolman, who were wed for 30 years, also adopted sons Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36, together.

    Katherine, meanwhile, graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006, per People.

    Actor Martin Short and his wife Nancy Dolan pose with their two young children, Katherine Elizabeth and Oliver Patrick, in a garden.
    Katherine was the adopted daughter of Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman.
    Katherine Short, Henry Short, Nancy Short, Martin Short and Oliver Short attend the after party for the opening night of "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me" at Tavern on the Green on August 17, 2006 in New York City.
    Katherine (from left), the couple’s adopted son Henry Hayter, 36, Nancy, Martin and their other adopted son, Oliver Patrick, 39, pictured in 2006. Getty Images

    Then, in 2010, she earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California.

    The businesswoman worked as a social worker for a private practice and part-time at the Amae Health clinic, an outreach group that provides psychotherapy, leading up to her death.

    Additionally, Katherine was involved with Bring Change 2 Mind, a charity that strives to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

    Actor and comedian Martin Short posing with his daughter Katherine Elizabeth.
    Katherine (photographed above in 1989) was a social worker. Getty Images
    Martin Short speaking on a cellphone outside Grand Master Recorders.
    Katherine was last publicly seen with her famous father for her 40th birthday in 2023. 

    Their last public sighting was in 2023 for Katherine’s 40th birthday celebration at Grand Master Recorders in Hollywood.

    Before then, the father-daughter duo stepped out together at a 2021 pre-Emmy bash hosted at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood, Calif.

    Short also brought Katherine to an after-party for the Los Angeles production of “The Producers” in 2003 and to Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project in 2005.

  • ‘Lizzie McGuire’ star Hilary Duff mourns Robert Carradine after her TV dad’s death: ‘This one hurts’

    Hilary Duff has paid tribute to her “Lizzie McGuire” co-star Robert Carradine following his death at the age of 71.

    “This one hurts. It’s hard to face this reality about an old friend,” she wrote on Instagram Monday.

    “There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents.”

    Robert Carradine and Hilary Duff smiling.
    Hilary Duff has paid tribute to her ‘Lizzie McGuire’ co-star Robert Carradine following his death.

    The actress continued, “I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him , his family, and everyone who loved him.”

    Carradine played Duff’s father, Sam, in the Disney Channel classic, appearing in 65 episodes between 2001 and 2004, according to his IMDB. He also played the same character in the 2003 film “The Lizzie McGuire Movie.”

    Jake Thomas — who portrayed Duff’s brother in the show — described Carradine as “one of the coolest guys you could ever meet” in a post of his own.

    “Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric,” he wrote on Instagram.

    “He was a talented actor, musician, and director. But more than anything, he was family,” Thomas concluded.

    Carradine took his own life after a “valiant” battle with bipolar disorder, his family told Deadline.

    “It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” their statement read. 

    The cast of Lizzie McGuire poses in a kitchen.
    Jake Thomas, Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine and Hilary Duff on “Lizzie McGuire.”Hilary Duff / Instagram
    Robert Carradine as Lewis Skolnick and Michelle Meyrink as Judy from the movie Revenge of the Nerds.
    Robert Carradine and Michelle Meyrink in the 1984 movie “Revenge of the Nerds.”©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him. 

    “We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder.”

    Carradine’s brother, Keith, said his sibling’s mental illness struggles “got the better of him” before paying a personal tribute.

    “It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul,” he said. “He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day.”

    Carradine said he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder following the death of his brother and fellow actor, David. David was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room in 2009.

    Carradine was best known for his roles in the 1980 war epic movie “The Big Red One,” the 1984 movie “Revenge of the Nerds,” and the 1996 movie “Escape from L.A.”

    If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.

  • ‘El Mencho’ killed in Mexico.

    Who was the notorious cartel leader?

    After spending years evading authorities worldwide, a powerful Mexican cartel leaderwas killed during a military operation, Mexican officials announced on Sunday, Feb. 22.

    Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as “El Mencho,” rose through the ranks and launched a deadly coup to become the leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). The criminal enterprise rapidly grew into a continent-spanning empire that rivaled its former allies in the Sinaloa Cartel, run by kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is serving life in prison.

    In 2024, the U.S. Department of State offered a $15 million reward for information leading to Oseguera’s arrest and/or conviction. After reports of his death surfaced, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described “El Mencho” in a social media post as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”

    Here’s what to know about the Mexican drug lord:

    What was his real name? 

    He was born Rubén Oseguera Cervantes on July 17, 1966, in the small farming city of Aguililla in the western state of Michoacán, according to The Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. He later adopted the name Nemesio, some say to honor his godfather. It was shortened to “El Mencho” and has no other known meaning. 

    Why was ‘El Mencho’ so dangerous?

    A powerful drug kingpin with 5,000 members spread across every continent except Antarctica, Oseguera’s brutal cartel is blamed for kidnappings, torture, murders, cannibalism, and the spread of fentanyl — which surpassed heroin as America’s deadliest illicit drug. 

    “More recently, CJNG operatives, allegedly under Oseguera Cervantes’ direction, were involved in assassination attempts of Mexican government officials,” the State Department said in December 2024.Targeting ‘The Last Frontier’: Mexican cartels send drugs into Alaska, upping death toll

    How did ‘El Mencho’ rise to power?

    Unlike some cartel leaders who inherited leadership positions from family dynasties, his parents were farm workers who carved out a living in Aguililla, a city of fewer than 20,000 people in Michoacán, known as the world’s avocado capital. Oseguera dropped out of school after the sixth grade to pick avocados.  

    “El Mencho” eventually made his way to Tijuana, the prominent border town for American tourists and feuding Mexican cartels. There, he grew his drug-smuggling business in San Diego. Court and prison records show he has entered the United States at least three times and was repeatedly deported. 

    After being ordered to leave the area by another organization, “El Mencho” joined the police force in Tomatlán, a small city south of Puerto Vallarta in the western state of Jalisco.

    Eventually, Oseguera returned to his native Michoacán, where he joined the Milenio Cartel, an entrenched criminal organization operating since at least the early 1990s. Milenio eventually tapped “El Mencho,” a skilled sicario — or assassin — to lead one of its cells in Guadalajara as a cartel lieutenant.

    U.S. drug agents and Mexican authorities teamed to root out El Mencho’s hiding spots at least three times. Police raided his secret compounds in 2012 and 2018, but he escaped, the newspaper reported.

    According to the Courier Journal, the Mexican military also learned Oseguera’s hiding spot and headed to get him in two military helicopters in May 2015. But his men shot down one of the helicopters with a Russian-made rocket-propelled grenade launcher.