By Mark Gray
3:32am PST, Dec 16, 2016
R.I.P.
So long, old friend. "Growing Pains" star Alan Thicke passed away in Burbank, California, on Dec. 13, 2016, at the age of 69. The beloved TV dad was playing hockey with son Carter when he suffered a heart attack. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he later was pronounced dead. Many of Hollywood's biggest names were shaken by the news and reacted on social media. Leonardo DiCaprio, who got his start on "Growing Pains," said Alan was a positive influence on his life. "He had tremendous class, a huge heart, and he taught me and so many others the valuable lessons about humility and gratitude," Leo wrote on Facebook. "I've seen him a number of times over the years and when Alan Thicke walked in the room, quite frankly, no one was cooler."
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Splitsville
The marriage between HGTV stars Christina and Tarek El Moussa has flopped. The "Flip or Flop" stars confirmed reports that they'd split and revealed they actually separated back in May after a blowout fight in which an allegedly suicidal Tarek left the house with a gun (they've since denied that and claimed he took a gun for protection from wild animals he could have encountered on his walk). Both are already dating other people — Christina's reportedly seeing their contractor friend — but despite the split, the show is still scheduled to go on.
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Weed arrest?
Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui was arrested at a Washington airport for possession of marijuana, according to a report. Her lawyer, however, said she was simply cited and not arrested. Still, she wasn't at the group's concert in Brazil on Dec. 14, which was just a day after the incident. According to TMZ, the singer was attempting to board a flight at Dulles Airport when she was stopped at a TSA checkpoint and searched. During a secondary search, TSA officers reportedly discovered a bag of marijuana in her carry-on luggage.
Presidential meeting
No one saw this coming! On Dec. 13, Kanye West headed to Trump Tower in New York City to meet with President-elect Donald Trump. Opposites attract, eh! The troubled rapper would later tweet about the meeting (side note: He's returned to Twitter!), writing, "I wanted to meet with Trump today to discuss multicultural issues," adding, "These issues included bullying, supporting teachers, modernizing curriculums, and violence in Chicago." Kanye's wife Kim Kardashian West was a vocal Hillary Clinton supporter in the recent election. How did she feel about this meeting? Us Weekly reported Kim's "not surprised" and claims that, despite their political differences, "she respects her husband." People magazine reported that the Ye-Trump meeting is hardly a tipping point for their marriage, which has been strained in the wake of Kim's jewelry robbery in October and Kanye's mental health crisis in November. "They're dealing with much more important things than who each of them supported for President," a source said.
Kid-less Christmas?
Brad Pitt's Christmas plans may not involve seeing his six children, but that's something he "hopes" isn't the case. Us Weekly quoted a source close to Brad this past week who said the actor "hopes to see the kids for Christmas at some point, but when hasn't been determined." He didn't see his kids on Thanksgiving either, as he and estranged wife Angelina Jolie continue their divorce and custody battle. Previously, Angie's lawyer said it was doubtful the former couple would get together for the holidays. Brad seems to be trying for a Christmas kid connection though. Recent court documents show that the actor has asked for extra time with the kids, as well as a "step-up in connection" over the holidays.
Baby bliss
Jonathan Rhys Meyers and fiancée Mara Lane are expecting a baby. Mara announced the news on social media, showing pictures of herself looking very far along in the pregnancy. She captioned a photo of herself comparing bellies with Santa Claus, "#IncomingPackage best present. #ThankYouLord 🙏🙌😇 #SantaBelly." Congrats!
Name game
We have a name! Mick Jagger and his 29-year-old girlfriend, Melanie Hamrick, welcomed a son on Dec. 8, but little else was known. On Dec. 16, his name was revealed by one of Mick's daughters. The 73-year-old rocker and his girlfriend named their son Deveraux Octavian Basil Jagger. Lizzie Jagger shared a photo of the her brother but later deleted the post. It's Mick's eighth child.
Divorce for real
It's over… again. Jay Mohr and his wife of 10 years, Nikki Cox, are splitting for the second time this year. In July 2016, Jay filed for divorce but less than a week later, he filed for a dismissal. On Dec. 13, he again filed for divorce. Last time, he asked for full custody of the couple's 5-year-old son. This time, he's asking for joint custody.
Cosby in court
Things are just not good for Bill Cosby. On Dec. 13 and 14, a hearing was held in Pennsylvania to determine whether 13 sex-abuse accusers should be allowed to testify against the comedy legend at his sexual assault trial involving a former Temple University employee set for the summer of 2017. (A judge is still deciding.) There is also a report that the comedian wants a plea deal to avoid a trial or prison. "He and his family, including his wife, Camille, are adamant that Bill won't be able to convince a jury to let him off," a source close to the Cosbys told the New York Post. "Cosby and his family believe he'll be eligible for a sentence of just probation… and remove the threat of him dying in prison."
