Cory Monteith -- Happy & Healthy Just Weeks Before Death

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Cory Monteith
Happy & Healthy
Just Weeks Before Death
Cory Monteith appeared the picture of happiness -- giggling and laughing with girlfriend Lea Michele -- this just a few weeks before he was found dead in a hotel room ... possibly of an overdose.

In this video, shot about a month ago at LAX, Cory and Lea arrive hand-in-hand looking happy and healthy. Even our photog tells the couple, "You look like a million bucks."

At the time, Cory had recently completed a month-long stint in rehab ... for admitted substance abuse issues.

As TMZ previously reported ... Cory was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room Saturday, alone, after spending Friday with friends. There are reports drugs may have played a role.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. Cory was 31.

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Paulina Gretzky -- Take a Walk Down Mammary Lane ... Before She Got Engaged

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Paulina Gretzky
Walk Down Mammary Lane
Before She Got Engaged
Paulina Gretzky's engagement is great news ... for one man -- that golfer dude who snagged the Great One. Sorry, we mean ... the Great One's daughter.

The rest of us are stuck with the Internet ... which, luckily, is laced with absurdly hot Paulina pics.

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Tito Ortiz -- Before Jenna Jameson Bashes Me on TV, Know This ... She's A LIAR

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Tito Ortiz
Before Jenna Bashes Me on TV, Know This ...
She's A LIAR
Tito Ortiz is scrambling to protect his reputation in the face of a public smear campaign ... helmed by his estranged wife Jenna Jameson -- telling TMZ, whatever she's about to say on TV is bound to be filled with lies ... because she's a dirty liar.

FYI, Jenna recently sat for an interview with "Entertainment Tonight." It's unclear what the interview is about, but Tito's guessing he's a main talking point ... and given their sordid history, he probably isn't portrayed in the best light.

So he's coming out to clear his name preemptively -- telling us, "I want to make it very clear that any and all allegations she has made about our personal life and my character are completely false. Jenna continues to paint a picture of distorted reality, which has been hurtful to both myself and my family. I hold sole custody over our boys, which speaks for itself."

He adds, "I am moving on with our life and with our boys, and I pray this is all over soon. I wish Jenna would get help to not only save herself, but for the children she brought into this world."

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Aaron Hernandez -- Shooting Victim Ordered to Appear Before Grand Jury

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Aaron Hernandez
Shooting Victim Ordered to Appear Before Grand Jury
The man who claims Aaron Hernandez shot him in the face earlier this year has been ordered by a judge in Massachusetts to appear before a grand jury later this month.

Alexander Bradley was ordered by Superior Court Judge Joan Alexander to appear July 17. Bradley had been fighting the interstate subpoena, claiming he required medical treatment in Florida.

As TMZ first reported, Bradley sued Hernandez last month, claiming Hernandez shot him in the face following an altercation at a Miami strip club.

Hernandez is currently facing a murder charge in the shooting of Odin Lloyd.

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James Gandolfini Reportedly Guzzled 8 Drinks Hours Before Death

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James Gandolfini
Reportedly Guzzled 8
Drinks Before Death
James Gandolfini reportedly gorged himself on fried food, foie gras and booze just before he died of a heart attack.

Gandolfini downed at least 8 drinks at the restaurant in the hotel where he died -- 4 shots of rum, 2 pina coladas and 2 beers -- this according to the New York Post.

The "Sopranos" star also feasted on fried prawns covered in mayo and chili sauce and foie gras, according to the paper.

On Tuesday -- the night before he died -- we're told Gandolfini dined at another restaurant and downed at least one glass of wine (Photo above).

Gandolfini struggled with alcohol and drug addiction. 

Interestingly ... the doctor who runs the ER put out a statement Thursday that there was no evidence of alcohol in his system, but based on the report something is clearly off.

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James Gandolfini -- Possible Last Photo Before Death

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James Gandolfini
Possible Last Photo Before Death

James Gandolfini dined at an Italian restaurant and was photographed during his meal shortly before he died.

We've been getting unconfirmed reports Gandolfini was at Ciampini restaurant in Rome -- where the pic was taken -- hours before his death.  Although we know he was there, the restaurant can't confirm if it turned out to be his last meal.

And now we know ... doctors tried in vain for 40 minutes to resuscitate the actor.  They tried everything -- heart massage and other methods but there was no electric activity from the heart, meaning he was probably dead before he even got to the hospital.  The hospital confirms that.

There will be an autopsy, which will probably include a toxicology report that will reveal if drugs or alcohol were in Gandolfini's system.

The chief doc at the ER says it looks like the "Sopranos" star died of natural causes -- a heart attack.

James Gandolfini -- Tattoo Shopping Before Death

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James Gandolfini
Tattoo Shopping
Before Death
James Gandolfini was in the market for a mysterious new ink job before his death -- dropping by an L.A. tattoo parlor earlier this month ... and promising to return with a special order.

TMZ has learned Gandolfini visited T-Man Tattoo in Studio City on June 1st -- and the owner (pictured above) tells us, the actor was extremely excited about a new tattoo he was planning.

Gandolfini didn't tell the owner what he wanted to get done -- but said he just moved to the neighborhood, and promised to return later this month for a full tat session.

The owner says Gandolfini was in great spirits during the visit.

As we reported, Gandolfini passed away Wednesday in Italy from an apparent heart attack. He was 51.

2 Chainz -- Posts SIZZURP Video Online 1 Day Before Arrest

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2 Chainz
Posts SIZZURP Video
1 Day Before Arrest

2 Chainz posted a damning video of what appears to be the rapper and his crew in the middle of a serious SIZZURP session ... just 1 day before he was arrested for drugs, TMZ has learned.

The video was made specifically for Vine -- a video website that features clips that MUST be 6 seconds or less (it's sorta like Twitter).

In the footage posted by 2 Chainz on June 10, you can clearly see the rapper next to a table filled with what appears to be the ingredients for Sizzurp (cough syrup bottle, sprite and cups).

2 Chainz posted a similar Vine video the day before (June 9) ... but in this clip, you can clearly see 2 Chainz puffing away on what appears to be a fatty joint.
While the videos feature members of 2 Chainz's crew drinking from the double-cups on the table, you never see 2 Chainz taking a sip.

We broke the story ... 2 Chainz was arrested at LAX on June 11 for possession of narcotics after TSA agents claim they discovered Promethazine and pot in his luggage.