Happy Days Actress Erin Moran Passed Away

 

Today isn't such a happy day.

Erin Moran, who starred as Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days, is no longer with us. The former actress was found unresponsive on Saturday, April 22 and was pronounced dead on the scene by officers of the Harrison County Sheriff's Department.

Moran was a California native that began acting at age 5. She landed a commercial with First Federal Bank and played small roles in the 1960s and 70s before becoming Joanie Cunningham in 1974 for Happy Days. She was 12 when she got the role and the show lasted for 10 years.

At 22, she starred in Joanie Loves Chachi, a spin-off from Happy Days with Joanie's love interest Chachi Arcola, played by Scott Baio. The show only had 17 episodes. After it ended, Moran made a few appearances in other shows before giving up her acting career in the mid-1980s.

Moran married her second husband, Steven Fleischmann in 1993 and in 2012, they moved in with her mother-in-law in Indiana so she could become her caretaker.

Ron Howard, who played her older brother Richie Cunningham, took to Twitter after hearing about her passing. "Such sad sad news. I'll choose to remember you on our show making scenes better, getting laughs and lighting up tv screens."

Moran died at 56 and left behind husband Steven Fleischmann. An autopsy is currently pending for cause of death.

Update 05/11/17: Moran died of throat cancer. She hid her battle with the disease from her family.

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Ronda Rousey and UFC Fighter Travis Browne Are Engaged

Instead of getting in the ring, she's wearing it.

Ronda Rousey is engaged to beau Travis Browne. The couple was seen walking in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday, April 20 when Rousey shared the good news with TMZ.  The 34 year-old UFC Fighter popped the question last week while on vacation.

"We were under a waterfall in New Zealand and it felt like the right place to do it," said Browne. Browne and Rousey have been dating since 2015. The 30 year-old UFC bantamweight champion hopes the wedding will be soon, but also wants the big day to be simplistic. "We don't really need decorations or flowers, just somewhere to go and something to eat and some people around."


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Korn Has 12 year-old Bassist Filling in for Fieldy for Tour

The apple didn't fall far from the Trujillo tree.

Morn has a new bassist for their upcoming South American tour. Tye Trujillo, who is 12 years old, will be filling in for bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu. Korn made the announcement on their Facebook page Saturday, April 8.

"On April 17 Korn is heading down to South America for a run of dates in Columbia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Fieldy is unable to make the shows so the band will be joined by a special guest. Filling in for bass duties will be Tye Trujillo, the 12 year-old son of Metallica's Robert Trujillo and member of NorCal group The Helmets."

The Helmets is a band based in California that is made up of 11 to 12 year-olds. Check out one of their performances below.

The band is happy about working with the young rock star. "We are bummed Fieldy can't join us on this run but excited to do a few gigs with a young player like Tye. " The Helmets were happy to share the greats news via Instagram. "We've been dying to announce this news! So proud and stoked Tye is filling in for Fieldy for these South American shows! Yeah slugga!!"

Fieldy will continue the tour with the band at Carolina Rebellion on May 6. "We look forward to welcoming our brother Fieldy back when we return to the States in May."


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Mel B Accuses Estranged Husband of Abuse, Gets Restraining Order

Melanie "Mel B" Brown currently has a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband Stephen Belafonte. Mel B accused him of abusing her throughout their ten year marriage.
The 41 year-old former Spice Girl detailed in court documents how Belafonte, 41 allegedly abused her.

 She claims the abuse started in November 2007 when he choked her during the Dancing With The Stars finale. She also claims in July 2012 he split her lip with a closed fist because he accused her of flirting with Usher after shooting an episode with the singer for X Factor. 

Mel B said she tried to leave numerous of times but he threatened to leak compromising videos of her. "He would threaten that if I left, he would release the videos to the tabloids. I have lived the past decade in fear that he would release intimate videos of me that would embarrass me and damage my reputation and my career." She also alleged Belafonte used the threat against her when she objected to participating in sexual encounters with random women he would bring back to their hotel rooms.

During an interview with TMZ, Belafonte said he was shocked at the allegations and wondered how it would effect their daughters. Mel B has two daughters from previous relationships, Phoenix and Angel. They share their 5 year-old daughter Madison together.

The X Factor judge said she also covered for Belafonte in August 2012 by tweeting (above) a picture (below) when he allegedly hit her and shoved her face down in a carpet after she performed with the Spice Girls during the Olympics. She said he forced her to send the tweet "because the injuries were so obvious, and because the media had snapped pictures" of her with the facial injury.

Mel B also claims she tried to commit suicide by taking an entire bottle of Aspirin. When she tried to get help, Belafonte locked her in the room telling her "to die b***h." She was able to seek help the next day when her driver took her to the hospital.

The two separated in December and Mel B filed for divorce. Along with the restraining order, she was also granted custody of their daughter,  Madison. Belafonte is not allowed within 100 yards of Mel B and has been ordered to leave their Hollywood Hills home in Los Angeles, CA.


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