Taylor Armstrong 'Devastated' by Estranged Husband's Suicide

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong has spoken out about the apparent suicide of her husband Russell on Monday night. "Taylor Armstrong is devastated by the tragic events that have unfolded," her rep says in a statement. "She requests privacy at this time so that she may comfort her young daughter" – 5-year-old Kennedy. The statement adds that Armstrong's "thoughts and prayers" are also with Russell’s 11- and 13-year-old sons from previous relationships. Russell was found dead in a friend's Los Angeles home, according to police. Taylor Armstrong, 40, had filed for divorce on July 15 from Russell, 47, citing physical and verbal abuse. The Armstrongs were being sued for $1.5 million by MyMedicalRecords.com. An insider said Russell Armstrong, an investment banker, had been "dealing with a lot of financial stress" at the time of his death. He was reportedly between $3-5 million in debt and recently listed his assets totalling $50k. His attorney, Ronald Richards, said "I feel bad because his credit cards weren't working. ... He had tremendous financial problems. ... As far as a will, even if he does have a will, they don't have any assets, so I'm not sure what there would be left to leave."



John Mellencamp makes divorce official

John Mellencamp is officially a free cougar. His divorce with estranged wife Elaine Irwin is now official. The couple had been married 18 years; they will share custody of their 17- and 16-year-old sons. The settlement agreement states that the couple negotiated “an amicable settlement of all issues involving property and maintenance rights, the custody and support of their children, and all other issues.” Since breaking up with Irwin, the singer has been dating Meg Ryan.



Kevin Federline Welcomes His Fifth Child

The former backup dancer and onetime rapper welcomed his fifth child, daughter Jordan Kay. This is the first child for girlfriend Victoria Prince. Federline, 33, and Prince, a former competitive volleyball player from Washington state, began dating toward the end of 2008. Jordan joins Federline's expanding brood, which already includes sons Jayden, 4½, and Preston, 5½, with ex-wife Britney Spears and son Kaleb, 7, and daughter Kori, 10, with ex-girlfriend Shar Jackson.



Neal McDonough Welcomes Fourth Child

Neal McDonough and his wife Ruvé welcomed their fourth child, daughter Clover Elizabeth. "Ruvé gave birth to a beauty! 8½ lbs. and 21 inches with thick dark hair like her gorgeous Mommy," the Captain America: The First Avenger star, 45, says. "Ruvé is recovering well – we are so blessed." Clover joins sisters London Jane, 19 months, Catherine Maggie, 4, and brother Morgan Patrick, 5½, who "went crazy" for their newest sister.



Burt Reynolds slapped with foreclosure lawsuit over Florida home

The "Smokey and the Bandit" star was hit with a foreclosure lawsuit in Florida's Martin County Circuit Court claims he's in arrears to the tune of $1.2 million on his Hobe Sound, Fla., home. The suit, which was filed on behalf of the Merrill Lynch Credit Corp., claims that Reynolds hasn't made a payment on the estate, dubbed "Valhalla," since September 2010. The suit asserts, "Plaintiff must be paid $1,193,808 in principal on the mortgage note and mortgage, together with interest from Aug. 1, 2010, and all costs ... and reasonable attorney's fees." The suit also says that BankAtlantic -- also named in the suit -- has a second, $750,000 mortgage on the home, which is valued at $2.4 million, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Reynolds and ex-wife Loni Anderson initially took out a $1.5 million mortgage on the home in 1994, with the understanding that the loan would be paid off by 2019. Reynolds put the 12,500-square-foot home on the market in 2009, asking for $8.9 million, but the depressed housing market made it difficult for him to sell the residence. The 75-year-old actor also maintains a home in Little Rock, Ark. Reynolds is currently filming the TV movie rom-com "Reel Love" with Shawn Roberts and LeAnn Rimes. The "Deliverance" star has a history of financial woes -- Reynolds filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the 1990s, following his divorce from Anderson and a string of bad career and investment decisions.



Shaq's ex-friend not credible; case dismissed

A judge formally dismissed charges against gang members accused of kidnapping a music producer who claimed to have a sex tape of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar de Longoria took the action after a prosecutor said his office didn't want to proceed with the trial, citing problems with the credibility of the alleged victim. The defense immediately asked for a dismissal. Deputy Dist. Atty. Hoon Chun said there was “cause for concern” about Robert Ross’ testimony in court as well as conduct outside of court that led to the prosecution’s decision. “We do not have the necessary confidence in the credibility of Mr. Ross to proceed in this case,” Chun said, which was met with loud cheers from the audience and a chorus of “motion to dismiss” from seven defense attorneys. Seven Main Street Crips members were charged earlier this year with kidnapping, assault and robbery in the Feb. 10, 2008, incident. Ross alleged that on that night, armed gang members had taken him from West Hollywood to a home in the gang's neighborhood and robbed and beat him while demanding a videotape and mentioning O’Neal.



TV NEWS

Kate Gosselin’s reality show Kate Plus 8 is not being renewed by the network. TLC issued this statement: “TLC has decided not to renew another season of Kate Plus 8. By the end of this season Kate Plus 8 will have hit the 150 episode mark (including Jon & Kate Plus 8); an exceptional milestone. TLC hopes to check in with Kate and the family periodically with specials in the future.”



Falcon Crest diva Morgan Fairchild will guest-star on Fox’s Bones this season as the “intelligent, impeccably dressed” CEO of a toy company that just so happens to be the site of a murder.



Queen Latifah is cooling on plans to compete on Dancing With the Stars. She says, "No truth to the rumors of me doing Dancing With The Stars. Love the show though so I'll be watching just like you!"



The Good Wife‘s streak of having prominent actors play guest judges on the show continues. This time, the CBS drama has tapped Harvey Fierstein for an appearance. The gravel-voiced actor best known for Torch Song Trilogy, Fierstein is playing a liberal, ex-hippie type who marches to a different drummer. He’ll preside over a case Alicia (Julianna Margulies) is working on with a sharp eye, but rather laid-back speech.



Childrens Hospital has been renewed for a fourth season, Adult Swim has ordered 14 episodes of the comedy, which was created by and stars Rob Corddry. The fourth season will premiere in 2012.



Nick Cannon is strutting his stuff all over the Peacock: The America’s Got Talent host has now signed on as a recurring cast member of the new NBC comedy Up All Night. Cannon will play Calvin, a spirited talk show emcee whose popularity irks co-host Ava (Maya Rudolph).  In addition, Jennifer Hall (Nip/Tuck, CSI: Miami) will recur as Missy, Ava’s unconfident assistant. Up All Night, which debuts Sept. 14, also stars Christina Applegate and Will Arnett.



Season 4 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is set to premiere Friday, Sept. 16 at 8/7c on Cartoon Network.



The Talk is talking about the possibility of a few hosting changes for season 2: The CBS daytime chat show is considering not picking up options for Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete as it evaluates its creative direction. Meanwhile, the show has already renewed deals for Sara Gilbert, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne, who will be on hiatus for part of the fall to spend time with husband Ozzy Osbourne.



Alex Steele, who previously appeared on Seasons 1-5 of Teen Nick’s Degrassi as Craig Manning’s half-sister Angela, is returning to the titular school this season… as a completely different character! Steele will now play Tori, a spoiled pageant kid with a big attitude.