Ric Flair Tribute to Dusty Rhodes 'I'll Miss My Friend, Mentor' #MMBWWE

Despite their epic rivalry, Ric Flair says Dusty Rhodes was one of his greatest friends ... and tells TMZ Sports he was "honored to have shared the ring with him." 

We just obtained a statement from Flair, through his agent Melinda Morris Zanoni, who tells us:

"Today I lost one of my greatest opponents and greatest friends. He was the definition of heart and soul and I’m honored to have shared the ring with him countless times.

"He became the 'American Dream' because wrestling needed a hero they could respect, and he was the man for the job. Dusty Rhodes, I will miss you my mentor and friend."

Flair and Rhodes battled in the ring several times ... and their feud was the basis for Dusty's legendary, "Hard Times" speech.  

R.I.P. 

Details Reporting On WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes's Cause Of Death #MMBWWE

WWE announced this afternoon that Virgil Runnels, aka “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, passed away today at the age of 69. Details have begun to surface regarding the cause of his death.

TMZ reports that Rhodes fell in his home in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday morning and he was transported to a nearby hospital.

“Officials tell us … emergency personnel responded to Dusty’s home in Orlando, FL at 5:56 AM Wednesday morning after getting a call reporting a 69-year-old male had taken a fall.”

Rhodes suffered “numerous complications” due to the fall, which ultimately proved fatal.

Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer also reported on Rhodes having a fall, adding that his kidneys shut down and he became dehydrated.

Fans & Wrestlers Tweet Condolences & Stories About Dusty Rhodes #MMBWWE #ThankYouDream

Many have taken to Twitter to leave comments about the passing of WWE Hall of Famer The American Dream Dusty Rhodes. Below are a continuous feed of mentions. 


Click READ MORE to see more. 

Saddened to hear the passing of Dusty Rhodes. Legend, teacher, mentor, friend...Love you Dream #BookinAintEasyKid pic.twitter.com/ZxlGSgKB8J

— Triple H (@TripleH) June 11, 2015

Dusty Rhodes vs Ric Flair NWA World Championship [Video] #ThankYouDream #MMBWWE

WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes Has Passed Away #MMBWWE

WWE and the wrestling fans around the world are deeply saddened that Virgil Runnels, aka “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes — WWE Hall of Famer, three-time NWA Champion and one of the most captivating and charismatic figures in sports entertainment history — passed away today at the age of 69.

Runnels became a hero to fans around the world thanks to his work ethic, his impassioned interviews and his indomitable spirit. Moreover, Runnels was a dedicated father to WWE Superstars Goldust (Dustin Runnels) and Stardust (Cody Runnels), a caring husband and a creative visionary who helped shape the landscape of WWE long after his in-ring career had ended.

WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Runnels’ family, friends and colleagues.

An Evening with Robin Williams [Video]

Robin Williams - Weapons Of Self Destruction [Video]

Actor & Comedian Robin Williams Dead At 63

Robin Williams has committed suicide.

The Oscar-winning actor/comedian killed himself in Tiburon, in Northern California.   His people tell us he's been recently battling severe depression.

According to the Marin County Sheriff's Office ... authorities found Williams' body inside his home.  They say he was found unresponsive.

He was unconscious and not breathing and the coroner suspects suicide due to asphyxia.

Williams was last seen alive at his house at 10 PM Sunday night.

Robin went back to rehab last month to focus on his sobriety.  We're told alcohol was an issue.

Williams struggled with cocaine and alcohol abuse in the early '80s but was sober for 20 years ... with the exception of a stint in rehab in 2006.

Robin's wife, Susan Schneider, says, "This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings.  I am utterly heartbroken."

Robin's last tweet was on July 31 ... wishing his daughter Zelda Rae a happy 25th birthday. He posted a #tbt instagram pic of himself holding her as a child.

Williams was 63.

CREDIT / SOURCE - TMZ

Poet, Educator and Civil Rights Advocate Dr. Maya Angelou, 86, dies

WINSTON-SALEM — Maya Angelou, writer of the classic autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" has died. She was 86.

Her death comes days after canceling her appearance at the Major League Baseball Beacon Awards luncheon, where she was to be honored.

We're told she was found unresponsive inside her Winston-Salem home.

Creator Of G.I. Joe Passes Away - #MMBComic

Donald Levine, the Hasbro executive credited with creating G.I. Joe, has died at age 86.

Levine came up with the idea for G.I. Joe after serving in Korea, and is widely considered to be the father of the modern action figure.

He passed away from cancer just days before celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary, according to his wife.

FULL STORY: http://abc7.ws/1k54lIn

DJ E-Z Rock of 'It Takes Two' Fame Dead at 46

Rodney Bryce, who made his mark on hip-hop under the name DJ E-Z Rock, died Sunday, a spokesperson for Bryce's friend and collaborator Rob Base confirmed to Rolling Stone. The cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Ultimate Warrior Passes Away at 54

WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior.

Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter.

We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans.

WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans.

Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana, his two daughters, his mother, his two sisters and his two brothers.

CREDIT / SOURCE - WWE.COM

ratingTextUndefined

Former WWE Star Nelson Frazier (Big Daddy V) Passes Away

Former WWE star Nelson Frazier (Mabel, Big Daddy V) has reportedly passed away at age 43. Wrestling agent Eric Simms posted the following on Facebook:

Julia Roberts' Half-Sister Dead: Nancy Motes Dies Of Apparent Drug Overdose

Julia Roberts' half-sister, Nancy Motes, has died of an apparent drug overdose, reports People magazine.

Motes' family confirmed she was found dead in Los Angeles on Sunday (Feb. 9), though the exact circumstances of her death have yet to be released.

Former Child Star Shirley Temple Passes Away At 85

WOODSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Shirley Temple, the dimpled, curly-haired child star who sang, danced, sobbed and grinned her way into the hearts of Depression-era moviegoers, has died, according to publicist Cheryl Kagan. She was 85.

Actor James Gandolfini Passes Away At 51

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

Legendary Broadcaster Pat Summerall Passes Away at 82

For many sports fans in the 1960s through the 1990s, Pat Summerall was the voice of the NFL, starting with CBS' Sunday telecasts and later with Fox, famously paired for much of that time with John Madden.

WWE Legend Paul Bearer Passes Away At 58

Paul Bearer -- the spooky WWE manager who helped introduce The Undertaker -- died Tuesday evening at the age of 58 ... this according to the WWE.

#Lakers Owner Dr. Jerry Buss Dead At 80

Few have ever succeeded at making such a daunting climb, from the nightmarish depths of utter poverty and hopelessness to the soaring heights of unimaginable wealth and power.

Mothers of Invention founding singer Ray Collins Passes Away at 75

Ray Collins, the guitarist who helped found the Mothers of Invention with Frank Zappa, died on Monday after being admitted to the hospital a week earlier for cardiac arrest, the New York Times reports. He was 75.