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A supporting actor in the upcoming "Madden" film quit on Friday -- just two weeks into production -- allegedly over the use of the N-word and full frontal nudity ... but sources close to Amazon Studios tell us the allegations are being twisted.

Here's the deal ... TMZ spoke with five members of the cast and crew for the upcoming film starring Nicolas Cage as the NFL legend, and Christian Bale as Raiders owner Al Davis ... and they independently leveled some serious claims about the film's director, David O. Russell.

Crew and cast members told us that on Friday, Russell was working with the unnamed actor on an impromptu monologue when the director allegedly said the N-word ... and that upset the actor, along with others, who allegedly walked off set before they broke for lunch, and subsequently wrapped for the day.

If Team USA wants Gunnar Henderson in its infield during the 2026 World Baseball Classic -- the Orioles superstar tells TMZ Sports he'd happily accept the invitation.

In fact, the Baltimore shortstop said in a sit-down with us on Tuesday it's actually one of his career goals to suit up for the Red, White and Blue in the prestigious baseball tournament.

"Anytime you have a chance to do that," he said of playing for America in the WBC, "it's pretty special. That's something that I definitely look forward to and hopefully can do one day in the future."

Ronnie Radke is doubling down on his denial of having anything to do with Tommy Lee splitting with Brittany Furlan ... and he says the FBI got involved after Brittany claimed she got catfished by someone posing as Ronnie online.

We got the Falling In Reverse singer at Beachwood Cafe in Los Angeles on Tuesday and our photog asked him about Brittany claiming the alleged catfish caused major problems in her marriage to Tommy.

Ronnie tells us he's never talked to Brittany and has tons of love for Tommy ... and he'd heard others may have been catfished by the same impersonator.

Donald Trump returned from his tour of the Middle East Friday with some investment pledges secured in Saudi Arabia and Qatar ... but D.L. Hughley is less than impressed with the transactional deals.

TMZ caught up with the comedian on "TMZ Live" Tuesday ... and he slammed Trump's shift in foreign policy, which he says focuses on rewarding whoever "gives [him] a jet or builds [him] a hotel" rather than on shared values.

Notably, Qatar offered an estimated $400 million Boeing 747-8 jet to 47 ahead of his visit, to be used as Air Force One ... which Qatar’s prime minister has since denied was an act of bribery. The gift is a violation of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which forbids American officials from receiving gifts from foreign governments and individuals without Congressional consent -- and it's still unclear whether the plane will be accepted.

George Wendt, famous for his starring role in the long-running NBC sitcom "Cheers," is dead.

Family sources tell TMZ ... he died early Tuesday morning, passing peacefully in his sleep at his home.

The official cause of death is unclear.

George's family is remembering him as "a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him" ... and they say he will be missed forever.

Ryan Reynolds has had enough of the "utterly frivolous claims" from Justin Baldoni's team in their ongoing legal war ... and now RR is asking the judge to ding them financially -- but JB is pointing the finger back at them.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ ...  lawyers for the "Deadpool" star on Tuesday hit JB and his team with a request for monetary sanctions -- which they say is a reaction to the "preposterous" defamation lawsuit that makes a mockery of the legal system.

As we previously reported, RR claimed Baldoni took his "thin-skinned outrage over a movie character" and decided to go after Ryan in court ... a reference to the satirical, "woke" Nicepool character from the new "Deadpool" movie, which JB thought was an obvious shot at him.

12:24 PM PT -- Mayweather Fitness co-founder and CEO, James Williams, one of the people who the letter was sent to, tells TMZ Sports the following ... "My team and I have consistently operated Mayweather Fitness with integrity and in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and we look forward to that being clearly reflected through current proceedings."

"I’ve always had a great relationship with Floyd, and want to make clear that the letter is correct in stating that I oversee and am responsible for all operational aspects of the business. Floyd is not involved in the day-to-day operations."

"My focus remains on leading the company, supporting our partners, and continuing to build the brand."

Floyd Mayweather is sending a salvo at the many fitness clubs bearing his name ... warning Mayweather Fitness to shape up or face the consequences!

TMZ Sports obtained a letter, sent last week by TBE's attorneys, demanding that the franchised health clubs fix a laundry list of alleged issues, or they'll find themselves in court opposite Floyd.

Among the 50-0 fighter's beefs, Floyd says Mayweather Fitness + Boxing, with over 50 locations in the U.S., has allegedly failed to pay their employees wages, and the legendary boxer, who says he has no control over day-to-day operations, is paying the price.

"Mr. Mayweather has not participated in the management, operations, or strategic oversight of [Mayweather Fitness]. Despite his limited involvement as a brand ambassador, your organizations have continually and improperly exploited his name, image, and likeness for financial gain while simultaneously embroiling him in lawsuits and negative press."

A Hollywood actor -- who scored roles in 'NYPD Blue' and 'CSI Miami' -- believes his daughter did not commit suicide and died under suspicious circumstances ... and now he's suing her estranged boyfriend for wrongful death.

Dwayne Adway filed his lawsuit Monday in L.A. County Superior Court against Makar Kirikov, accusing him of being involved in the death of his daughter, Daelena Mackay.

In the suit, Adway says Daelena and Kirikov lived together for about a year in an L.A. apartment and, during that time, Daelena "experienced multiple incidents of domestic violence" at the hands of Kirikov.

Diddy's federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial is undeniably weighing heavily on his family ... but his children's caretaker is assuring everyone the entire Combs clan are nothing but troopers!!!

Lawanda 'Lala' Lane joined "TMZ Live" on Monday to discuss the day-to-day operations since Diddy was hauled off to jail last year to wait for his trial, which got started two weeks ago.

The embattled music mogul's twins, Jessie and D'Lila, just stepped out for their senior prom,  and Lala says they're straight-A students and says faith in God is the dominant theme in the household.

Lisa Bloom says testimony from Cassie Ventura and Dawn Richard is essential to the prosecution's criminal case against Diddy ... but she says the feds are far from finished, and they've got plenty of time to close any loops the defense finds.

The famed attorney, who is also representing Dawn in a civil suit against Diddy, joined us on "TMZ Live" Monday and explained how Dawn's testimony is geared towards the RICO charges against Diddy.

Lisa says the fact Dawn told the jury she saw Diddy with guns and drugs is super important ... even though Diddy defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland got Dawn to admit she never saw Diddy use a gun or pay for drugs.

Post Malone has called BS on his baby mama, who wants an L.A. County judge to hear their custody case, claiming the matter properly belongs in Utah, where he's raising the child.

Post had filed for custody in Utah, claiming that's where the 3-year-old daughter was raised.

The mother, Jamie Park, filed similar legal docs in Los Angeles 4 days later, asking for sole physical custody with visitation going to Post.

Pamela Anderson has no plans to rekindle things with her ex-hubby Tommy Lee if his current marriage ends ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Pamela and her family tell us … there’s absolutely no way she would ever get back together with the Mötley Crüe drummer, even if he and wife Brittany Furlan were to officially divorce amid their ongoing separation.

We're told Pamela does not care about Tommy and Brittany’s relationship, and the general consensus among those close to her is ... good riddance.

“Love Island” contestant Cashel Barnett is behind bars in Utah ... the reality star turned himself in to police after a felony warrant had been issued for his arrest, TMZ has learned.

Authorities and a source close to the victim tell TMZ … Cashel was booked into Salt Lake City jail in Utah on Monday morning – a week after a warrant had been issued.

Cashel was hit with a slew of charges by the SLC district attorney after he allegedly attacked his ex-girlfriend in front of their 1-year-old daughter late last month.

11:20 AM PT -- TMZ obtained the coroner's report from the Parish of Natchitoches ... Latonya Pottain died from "acute on chronic congestive heart failure." No autopsy will be performed, since the death is considered due to natural causes. Pottain was taken from an inpatient medial rehab facility at the time of her death.

Latonya Pottain -- best known for being featured on the reality TV show "My 600-lb Life" -- has died of natural causes in Louisiana, TMZ has learned.

Pottain passed away Saturday night at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, LA, according to the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office. The coroner tells us the preliminary investigation found Pottain died from congestive heart failure.

Pottain's brother also told TMZ  ... family members visited Latonya at her home Saturday morning, and they noticed she was having trouble breathing. Her brother said Pottain told them she was extremely uncomfortable. On top of that, she didn't look well.

Actor Neal McDonough is a few months shy of his 60th trip around the sun, but the Hollywood star just took on one of the most physical roles of his career, and he says he busted his ass getting in peak shape!

In the movie, "The Last Rodeo" -- hitting theaters May 23 -- McDonough plays a retired rodeo legend who is forced back onto a bull in a desperate attempt to make money for his family.

TMZ Sports recently spoke with the director, Jon Avnet, and McDonough, who told Babcock he went to great efforts to look like the real deal.