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Coach Norman Dale was one of Gene Hackman's most iconic roles -- in "Hoosiers," one of his most memorable movies -- and now the late actor's costar is speaking out in the wake of the beloved 95-year-old's death.

TMZ Sports spoke to Brad Long just hours after the tragic news broke of Hackman's passing ... where the actor shared his experience working alongside the Academy Award winner in what was Long's first movie role.

Despite having no experience, Brad, who played Buddy in the 1986 hit, says Gene was super down-to-earth and "made us feel comfortable," adding he never made anyone "feel self-conscious."

Justin Timberlake is not bringing "SexyBack" tonight ... 'cause he's got a nasty case of the flu and can't perform tonight.

The singer-songwriter posted an apology to his Instagram Thursday evening ... telling fans he was heartbroken, but he needed to cancel the show in Columbus, Ohio because he couldn't even get through soundcheck.

He says it kills him to disappoint his fans and all the members of his team who worked so hard to put the show together ... and, he promises everyone will receive refunds for their tickets.

Gene Hackman's wife was very serious about the star's health, putting him on a strict diet years ago ... so says his longtime friend and former business partner.

Doug Lanham, a close friend and former business partner, tells TMZ ... Betsy Arakawa made sure Gene was eating right -- demanding he stick to a strict diet.

In fact, Betsy took it so seriously, Doug says Gene was only able to sneak a cheat meal when they were out golfing ... this despite owning a bar and bistro for years.

Mary Kate Cornett and her parents are coming off an emotional 48 hours ... one which her parents said left them feeling helpless -- though a recent development may help the Cornetts take some of their power back.

We spoke with Mary Kate Cornett's mother, Leslie, and her father, Justin ... who tell us all the claims about their daughter floating around on the internet are untrue.

We're told the last couple days have been difficult for the trio, who are all spending time together in Oxford, Mississippi -- the city where the University of Mississippi resides.

Before this sweet kiddo with brown eyes and brown hair grew up to be a popular actress, she was just posing for a picture with her mama, runnin' the streets of Queens, New York and dancing her way to Hollywood!

She took the center stage back in 2000 and has starred in four of the six highest-grossing films of all time ... She's worked with Hollywood's biggest stars like Nick Cannon and Britney Spears ... All in all, there's no stopping this "Avatar."

Need another hint? She's an Oscar nominee for her striking role in "Emilia Pérez."

The man pardoned by President Donald Trump for his January 6 crimes was caught on camera threatening to shoot himself after getting into a heated altercation with a sheriff's deputy who ended up firing several rounds, killing the man.

Check out the video ... the incident went down on January 26 when Matthew Huttle was pulled over by a deputy in Jasper County, Indiana, for going 70 MPH in a 55 MPH zone, according to law enforcement.

The Jasper County Sheriff's deputy gets out of his patrol vehicle and approaches Huttle, who emerges from his SUV. The deputy explains to Huttle that he's a "habitual traffic violator with a suspended license" and is going to be arrested after his speeding infraction.

Gene Hackman and his wife were inside their home, not moving ... and the sight of them got the 911 caller very emotional, TMZ has learned.

We've obtained the audio of the 911 call that led to police discovering the bodies of Hackman and Betsy Arakawa ... and, an unnamed caretaker of the area can be heard frantically pleading for the dispatcher to send someone to the house.

The call starts with the caretaker, whose name is redacted, saying he believes they've just stumbled across one or two dead bodies -- he seems unsure at the time of the call -- and they need immediate assistance.

It'll be a while before we get the full story on Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy, and their dog’s suspicious deaths -- 'cause TMZ has learned that even with the initial autopsy, the final report will take a few more weeks.

Sources tell TMZ that after the autopsy is done by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, it’ll take 4 to 6 weeks for toxicology and other tests to come through before the final report is issued.

Authorities have been super puzzled over their deaths -- making a note of how Gene's front door to his NM property was open when they entered for the search warrant of their house.

Jessica Alba's just like a lot of regular people getting out of a long relationship ... she's making some big life choices -- including putting a permanent art piece on her body.

Daniel Winter -- a popular tattoo artist better known by the moniker Winterstone -- tells TMZ ... Jessica came into his private West Los Angeles studio for a tattoo. While Winterstone wasn't supposed to work that day, he came in on his afternoon off to personally ink the star.

The actress got the quote "Life is transformation is life" tattooed on her arm in cursive ... running from her wrist to right around her elbow.

Hip Hop music industry legend Kevin Liles is facing a new sexual assault lawsuit ... a woman claims he raped her while he was an exec at Def Jam Recordings.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Liles is being sued by a woman not identified publicly who says she began working for the iconic music imprint in 1999 ... and claims she was quickly subjected to repeated instances of sexual harassment from Liles from 2000 to 2002.

Kourtney Kardashian is the queen of wellness, so it only makes sense she’d be front and center in a fight over her town at a Calabasas Landfill protest.

The reality star walked the talk, joining fellow locals Thursday -- including Kendra Wilkinson -- to fight against dumping debris from January's Palisades fires in a landfill just outside city limits.

They made their opinions loud and clear, protesting the hazardous waste and toxic ash deposited in a nearby disposal site, which poses an ongoing health threat to residents ... and it's dangerously close to an elementary school.

Legendary actor and two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman has been found dead inside his Santa Fe, New Mexico home alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog, TMZ has confirmed.

The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were discovered Wednesday afternoon, with Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirming the news just after midnight on Thursday.

The sheriff's office reportedly told NBC affiliate KOB of Albuquerque a welfare check was conducted at his home after a concerned neighbor called the police.

Amelia Gray Hamlin's ready to take flight during Milan Fashion Week ... showing off her wings in a long gold gown covered in feathers -- just one of her many impressive outfits.

The reality star and model, who's managed by The Lion's founder, Ali Kavoussi, is already lighting Milan aflame just three days into the weeklong event -- giving fans a peek at her nipples in the aforementioned ensemble ... which is mainly mesh outside of the gold feathers.

AGH is a star of the runway and in the street in Milan ... looking fierce out in a long leather trench coat -- left open just a bit at the chest to accentuate her cleavage while posing on the runway, showing off a ton of leg in a tiny skirt she wore out.

Andrew and Tristan Tate are back in the United States after spending much of the last few years fighting legal battles in Romania ... and, they hit the ground challenging allegations of sex trafficking and rape, claiming they're victims of misinformation and straight-up lies.

The brothers -- who were indicted on sex trafficking charges in the Eastern European country back in 2023 -- arrived in Fort Lauderdale Thursday ... and, reporters were waiting for them.

Andrew says America is a democratic society where people are innocent until proven guilty ... and, he asks everyone to stop rushing to judgment -- because they haven't been convicted of a single crime.

New details have emerged in the death of actress Michelle Trachtenberg ... her mother tragically discovered her daughter's body in bed Wednesday morning, just months after her liver transplant, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Lana entered Michelle's Manhattan apartment, only to find her unresponsive, lying on her back in bed -- Lana then called police and paramedics, who pronounced Michelle dead at the scene.

We’re told Lana last saw Michelle alive at 10 PM Tuesday, and she was clearly active despite her health concerns -- the "Gossip Girl" actress was even out with friends last Thursday night at Sartiano’s in NYC.

President Donald Trump's son Barron Trump is a diligent student, making sure to get to college classes on time every day ... with a little help from a fleet of 5 giant Secret Service SUVs.

TMZ has video showing the First Son outside Trump Tower this morning, with the oversized vehicles blocking Midtown Manhattan traffic, horns blaring in the background. Barron, clad in a collar and sweater and carrying a backpack, gets into one of these beasts, and with emergency lights rolling, the fleet rolls past some NYPD staff, and it's off to school they go.

As you know, the First Son is attending his freshman year at New York University, studying business administration. He's been staying with his mother, First Lady Melania Trump, in NYC, about 3 miles from NYU campus.