'Project X' Actor Nick Nervies -- ARRESTED ... For Domestic Violence

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
'Project X' Actor
ARRESTED
... For Domestic Violence
One of the tough kid security guards from "Project X" was arrested yesterday after allegedly getting physical with his girlfriend ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ -- deputies received a call from someone around 4:30 pm claiming 'X' star Nick Nervies had been arguing with his girlfriend and it escalated in a bad way.

It's unclear what happened but when cops arrived the alleged victim had minor injuries -- not serious enough for an ambulance.

The 18-year old actor was cuffed and taken to a nearby jail where he was booked on misdemeanor domestic violence charges.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Cory Monteith -- 'Glee' Tried to Save Actor from Heroin Addiction

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Cory Monteith
'Glee' Tried to Save Actor
from Heroin Addiction
The cast of "Glee" -- along with several producers -- knew Cory Monteith was battling a heroin addiction earlier this year and were the catalyst in his decision to go back to rehab, TMZ has learned. 

Sources connected to the production tell us ... it was no secret Monteith was off his game back in March -- and it became clear he was relapsing, specifically with heroin.

We're told the cast and the producers became very concerned ... and knew they had to address the issue with Cory.

Sources say ... the group sat down with Cory and had an "open conversation" with the actor -- stressing how much they cared about him and wanted him to get help.

One source tells us Cory was very receptive -- "It wasn't met with resistance ... He was always so grateful and aware of how fortunate he was."

"The decision was to best help our friend. The needs of the show fell second to his well-being."

Cory voluntarily checked into rehab at the end of March for a 30 day stint ... but despite his efforts, he couldn't defeat his demons, and last week, he died from a lethal mixture of heroin and alcohol.

He was 31.

 

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Lee Thompson Young Dead -- 'Jett Jackson' Actor Commits Suicide at 29

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Lee Thompson Young
Ex-Disney Superstar Dead
Suicide Lee Thompson Young -- who played the main character on Disney's "The Famous Jett Jackson" -- has committed suicide, TMZ has learned.  He was 29.

Young's body was discovered inside his North Hollywood home Monday with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to sources. It's unclear why Young took his own life.

Lee's publicist said, "It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning ... Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed."

Young currently appears in the TNT show "Rizzoli & Isles" -- and we're told when he didn't show up to work Monday morning, staffers called Young's landlord to check up on the actor. That's when the landlord found him.

The executive producer of "Rizzoli & Isles" tells us, "Everyone at [the show] is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young."

She adds, "We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family. Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and offscreen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, to his friends and, most especially, to his beloved mother."

Young was a rising star in Hollywood. After he made it big as a Disney star, he went on to play running back Chris Comer in the 2004 movie "Friday Night Lights."

 

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Dick Van Dyke Emergency -- Actor Pulled Out of Flaming Vehicle

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Dick Van Dyke
Pulled Out of
Flaming Vehicle
87-year-old actor Dick Van Dyke narrowly averted disaster moments ago on an L.A. freeway -- when his Jaguar burst into flames -- but thankfully, he was pulled to safety in the nick of time.

The hero who rescued him is a guy named Jason Pennington, who tells TMZ, he was driving along the 101 when he saw a car full of smoke on the side of the road ... and an elderly man hunched over at the wheel.

Pennington tells us, he pulled up and ran over to discover Dick Van Dyke struggling inside.

Pennington says he opened the driver door and pulled the actor out of the vehicle as flames tore through the engine.

We're told Dick was slightly disoriented by the experience but did NOT need medical attention. His wife came to pick him up shortly after and brought him home.

As for the car ... it's toast.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

James Gandolfini Dead -- 'Tony Soprano' Actor Dies in Italy

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
James Gandolfini
DIES IN ITALY

James Gandolfini -- who famously played Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos" -- died earlier today in Italy ... TMZ has learned.

Gandolfini is believed to have suffered a heart attack. He was 51.

Gandolfini was in Italy to attend the 59th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily -- and he was scheduled to participate in a festival event this weekend with Italian director Gabriele Muccino.

Gandolfini shot to fame playing a hitman in the 1993 hit "True Romance" ... and quickly became a Hollywood legend when he was cast as Tony Soprano in 1999.  He won 3 Emmy awards for the role during the show's 6 season run.

'Sopranos' creator David Chase tells TMZ ... "[James] was a genius. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time.  A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes.  I remember telling him many times, 'You don't get it.  You're like Mozart.' There would be silence at the other end of the phone."

Chase added, "He was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain.”

Gandolfini also appeared in a ton of huge movies including "Get Shorty," "The Mexican" and "Zero Dark Thirty."

We last spoke to Gandolfini in May in L.A. -- he was in great spirits, making funny faces and joking about a "Sopranos" movie.

His 'Sopranos' co-star Joseph R. Gannascoli -- who played Vito -- tells us, "James is one guy who never turned his back on me. He was the most humble and gifted actor and person I have ever worked with ... and I will forever be indebted to him."

Gandolfini is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, who gave birth to the couple's daughter in October 2012. He also has a teenage son from a previous marriage. R.I.P.

'Curb Your Enthusiam' Actor Jeff Garlin -- Arrested For Alleged Window Rage

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
'Curb' Star Jeff Garlin
Arrested
For Alleged Window Rage

8:00 AM PST -- As of Sunday morning, Jeff has been released from jail.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" star Jeff Garlin apparently had some issues curbing his anger Saturday ... the actor was arrested for allegedly smashing a couple car windows following a heated argument.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ...  the 51-year-old actor was arrested for felony vandalism in Studio City around 3 pm. We're told Garlin got into a verbal fight with another person over a parking space (hey it's LA) ... which escalated quickly ... and resulted in Garlin allegedly smashing the windows of the other person's Mercedes.

Cops were called and the actor was arrested. We're told he's still in jail.

Story developing ...