TMZ’s 18th Anniversary, Timeline of Huge Stories Broken Over the Years

TMZ simply turned 18, and sure — we’re able to take you on an eventful stroll down reminiscence lane that hits all of the highlights, and the most important tales we have damaged through the years.

It has been fairly the journey since we first launched in 2005, and we have modified a helluva lot too — however the one factor that is remained the identical all through our practically 20 years is that we report large information about Hollywood … and as a rule, we’re first to do it.

Here is a recap of the place we have been, the tales we have unearthed and the place we go from right here.

Mel Gibson’s Antisemitic DUI Tirade (2006)

We might coated some large tales earlier than this, however breaking the Mel Gibson DUI story again in the summertime of 2006 undoubtedly put TMZ on the map — and for good purpose … what our reporting unveiled turned out to be completely nuts, to not point out very ugly.

TMZ obtained a maintain of the unique report taken by the arresting officer, and it detailed a wild scene when officers pulled Gibson over alongside the PCH close to Malibu … which erupted into a vulgar and antisemitic rant by the actor that focused Jewish folks over and over.

Here is only a style of what regulation enforcement heard that evening … “F*****g Jews … The Jews are liable for all of the wars on this planet.” He additionally requested of 1 officer, “Are you a Jew?”

The Sheriff’s Dept. tried overlaying up the story, telling us there was no such rant. However then we obtained 4 pages of the arresting deputy’s report, through which the rant was described intimately.

Michael Richards Makes use of the N-Phrase (2006)

Michael Richards‘ infamous stand-up set on the Giggle Manufacturing facility in November 2006 will go down in historical past for all of the incorrect causes … ‘trigger he dropped the N-word repeatedly, and TMZ obtained the primary video of this low second.

The “Seinfeld” star completely misplaced it that night whereas performing in entrance of a moderate-sized crowd — this after he was heckled by some viewers members, which triggered him to launch right into a horrifically racist tirade … screaming obscenities and racial slurs.

He apologized, however the injury was arguably achieved — his profession was by no means fairly the identical.

Britney Spears’ Shaved-Head Umbrella Incident (2007)

Britney Spears began to unravel in late 2006, however all that got here to a (shaved) head in early 2007 when she took clippers to her noggin and cut off her famous long locks … going for a bald look. The manic transfer prompted a number of concern about her frame of mind and well-being.

After all, every little thing hit the fan just some days later when she attacked paparazzi who’d adopted her to an L.A. gasoline station — getting out of her car and dashing them with an umbrella, all of which was captured on digicam.

We have been the primary outlet to publish the chaotic scene …. and it marked the start of a downward spiral for Brit, which culminated together with her being thrust right into a court-ordered conservatorship a few 12 months later. In 2021, she was finally released from the conservatorship — cheered on and supported by hordes of her followers within the #FreeBritney movement.

Since then, her erratic behavior has fearful folks once more — however her issues are nowhere close to what they have been within the mid-2000s … so for now, comparatively talking, she appears to be doing OK.

Tiger Woods had a tumultuous 12 months in 2009 — this after his affair with Rachel Uchitel went public, and began to have an effect on his golf profession. That got here to a head in November of ’09, after we reported he crashed his SUV close to his FL house in a single-vehicle accident.

After all, we later discovered that moments earlier than he crashed, his then-wife Elin Nordegren had confronted him over the affair, and smashed the SUV with a golf membership.

He was by no means arrested over that crash, however it would not be the final time he had an incident on the highway … he infamously had no less than 2 others, together with one crash that left him badly injured.

Donald Sterling’s Racist Remarks on Tape (2014)

Former Clippers proprietor Donald Sterling was caught on tape disparaging Black people again in 2014 — audio first obtained by TMZ Sports activities — when he chastised his GF for “associating” with African-Individuals and bringing ’em to Clippers video games. The NBA finally ousted him as an proprietor.

Beyonce’s Sister, Solange, Assaults Jay-Z in Elevator (2014)

Beyoncé‘s sister, Solange Knowles, infamously went on the attack towards her brother-in-law, Jay-Z, in an elevator at a Met Gala social gathering all of them attended … and TMZ printed the video first.

The battle was surreal, with Solange hanging Jay-Z … and Bey simply standing by. The precise impetus for her elevator incident has at all times been a little bit unclear — however experiences have prompt it was due to one thing Jay immediately stated to his spouse and her sibling. Others, nevertheless, have lengthy speculated it was all tied to alleged infidelity on Jay-Z’s half.

Ray Rice Knocks Out Fiancée in Elevator (2014)

Former Ravens famous person operating again Ray Rice was captured on video punching his then-fiancée in an elevator … and TMZ Sports activities was the primary outlet to publish the clip, which modified his profession perpetually.

Not solely was he released from the Ravens, however he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL — which landed him in a authorized battle with the league, with Rice finally successful. Nonetheless, the injury was achieved … he was by no means signed to a different group, and introduced he was retiring from soccer in 2018.

Tristan Thompson Cheats on Khloe Kardashian (2017)

The daddy of Khloe Kardashian‘s youngsters, Tristan Thompson, was knee-deep in cleavage months earlier than she was as a consequence of give beginning to their first child — an unpleasant incident of dishonest that was captured on surveillance video in 2017 … and first posted by TMZ in 2018.

The dishonest scandal rocked their relationship for an excellent whereas — particularly when, in a separate incident, Jordyn Woods briefly obtained concerned with Tristan. Since then, the ex-couple’s had another child together … and, regardless of all of it, stay pleasant.

Kanye West Says Slavery Was a “Alternative” (2018)

Kanye West‘s embrace of Donald Trump kicked off what many contemplate a serious pivot within the rapper’s profession and private life towards the latter half of the 2010s — together with a number of radical concepts, equivalent to declaring American slavery “was a alternative” … an notorious assertion he made whereas showing on “TMZ Stay.”

Many right here keep in mind his look in our workplace fairly effectively … and you possibly can argue it was the beginning of the troubling trajectory he is been on ever since. His public praise for Hitler in 2022 can also be a really contemporary reminiscence.

Jussie Smollett’s Hate Crime “Hoax” (2019)

Jussie Smollett claimed he was attacked by Trump MAGA supporters in early 2019 — he stated they hurled racist and homophobic epithets at him, however later a jury of his friends discovered that to be complete BS.

TMZ broke the preliminary story … when nearly everybody believed the “Empire” star had, the truth is, been the sufferer of a hate crime. The man’s story began to unravel, although, within the weeks thereafter, with police finally popping out and accusing him of creating all of it up.

After a number of authorized forwards and backwards … Jussie lastly went to trial, and was found guilty of submitting a false police report — however he has since appealed the choice, and has maintained his innocence all through the saga.

There’ve been loads of different high-profile tales we have damaged and tracked — however these actually stand out as our greatest. Now then, on to the arduous half … deaths.

We have misplaced a number of big celebs through the years, and TMZ has typically been first to inform the world about their passing. Listed below are among the most well-known and stunning ones.

Michael Jackson (2009)

The importance and enormity of Michael Jackson‘s demise in the summertime of 2009 was misplaced on nobody — together with ourselves after we have been the primary information outlet to verify and report it.

As we reported … the King of Pop suffered cardiac arrest at his L.A. house — this after an overdose from propofol and benzodiazepine … which had been administered by his physician on the time, Conrad Murray. Murray was finally convicted of manslaughter within the case.

After all, whereas Murray would possibly’ve been the final one to manage ache treatment to Michael — it had been one thing that was happening for years … which we coated in a documentary.

It goes with out saying, his demise rocked the world — and his followers mourned for weeks on finish.

Whitney Houston (2012)

Whitney Houston‘s sudden passing in 2012 was simply as stunning as Michael’s … if not, maybe, extra tragic.

As we first reported … she drowned in a bathtub on the Beverly Hilton resort, which ended up being drug-related. An post-mortem later revealed her system was full of cocaine and different substances on the time of her demise. Officers finally dominated it as unintended.

Paul Walker (2013)

Paul Walker‘s demise shocked Hollywood past due to how he perished … a fiery automotive crash, which TMZ was first to report on the time.

In 2013, Paul and his good friend, Roger Rodas, have been leaving a charity occasion within the San Fernando Valley — they usually obtained right into a high-powered Porsche, with Paul driving passenger as Roger was driving. They ended up driving down a highway extremely quick, and Roger misplaced management of the car.

The automotive slammed right into a concrete wall and went up in flames … killing both of them. Paul was in the course of filming for the seventh ‘Quick & Livid’ film — and had to get replaced on digicam by his brothers as stand-ins.

Prince (2016)

Prince‘s death was yet one more earth-shattering story TMZ broke in 2016 — rivaling the gravity of Michael and Whitney … and leaving music followers in all places surprised and heartbroken.

The “Purple Rain” singer handed below related circumstances in comparison with his contemporaries — specifically, an unintended drug overdose … solely this one was the results of fentanyl-laced painkillers that he’d obtained below suspicious circumstances.

Because the investigation into his demise unfolded … the complete extent of Prince’s persistent ache turned identified to the general public — the person had been battling by way of a number of illnesses and medical setbacks all through his life, which obtained him hooked on highly effective treatment to alleviate his signs.

TMZ produced a documentary overlaying Prince’s final days … uncovering the unhappy fact about his dependancy.

Mac Miller (2018)

One other demise that got here as an terrible shock was Mac Miller‘s … a loss TMZ broke in 2018.

As we first reported … Mac’s physique was discovered at his house after an accidental overdose. An investigation revealed he’d taken Percocet that have been laced with fentanyl … and over the course of three years, the drug sellers concerned in supplying these to him landed in courtroom.

They have been all prosecuted, and a handful of them have since pleaded responsible.

Kobe Bryant (2020)

Kobe Bryant‘s demise is by far one of many saddest, most tragic, TMZ has ever damaged … transcending sports activities, leisure and media at massive.

In early 2020, he and a a number of Mamba Academy athletes and their dad and mom — together with his younger daughter Gianna — have been in a non-public helicopter, flying from Orange County to Thousand Oaks in dense fog when it crashed into a mountain in Calabasas, killing all 9 folks aboard.

The L.A. County Sheriff’s investigation that adopted finally revealed unseemly crash scene images have been taken by some first responders — one thing for which Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, sued and won following an arduous authorized course of.

Angus Cloud (2023)

The “Euphoria” star was an up-and-coming expertise in Hollywood, which is why after we first reported his sudden death … it took the world unexpectedly.

Angus Cloud was discovered unresponsive at his mom’s house this 12 months, and after an post-mortem was achieved, it was decided he’d suffered an unintended overdose. His castmates — which included Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney and others — all mourned his passing.

Matthew Perry (2023)

Matthew Perry‘s demise this 12 months remains to be contemporary for his household, castmates and the hundreds of thousands of adoring followers he gained as a beloved “Mates” star … however, additionally, for his bravery in sharing his struggles with substance abuse.

We broke the story … Matthew was found dead at his home final month, the place he was submerged in his scorching tub, the reason for which has but to be decided. Whereas many suspected medication or alcohol would possibly’ve been at play, there’s been no proof of that in any respect — and many individuals near him have informed us he was sober, completely satisfied and feeling higher than ever.

With a number of unanswered questions, the one factor Hollywood has been in a position to do is mourn and keep in mind his legacy … which was full of snickers and pleasure.

His well-known costars just lately attended a private funeral for him — and have publicly stated they’re reeling from the information.

Naturally, there are a lot of different tales we have damaged over our 18-year historical past — however these stand out as among the ones that proceed to resonate.